FERRUM, Virginia -- Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced the hiring of Anthony Konieczka '17 as Assistant Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Ferrum College. Konieczka will work with third-year Head Coach Cleive Adams '02.

Konieczka previously served a year as Assistant Football Coach for Linebackers at Wilkes University (Pa.) in 2022, four years as Assistant Coach for Linebackers Coach at St. Andrews University (N.C.) from 2018-21, and a year as Graduate Assistant Coach at St. Andrews in 2017.

At Wilkes, he helped the Colonels finish in the top 40 in five defensive categories last season, three of which being in the top 25, while coaching a pair of All-Conference players. Worked hand in hand with Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Interns on all aspects of the defense, including Gameplans, Scouting Reports and Practice Schedules/Scripts. 
 
At St. Andrews, he served as Recruiting Coordinator as well as Weight Training and Conditioning Coordinator for the Knight football program. Konieczka also coached three All-Conference Linebackers for the Knights with one holding the school record for tackles in a season and in a game. During his tenure, he mentored two top-5 tacklers in the nation in his linebacker room.

"I am excited to have Anthony back home and joining our football staff," said Adams. "He brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and a youthful energy that will be refreshing for our staff and the young men on the defensive side of the ball. It is awesome to have another Black Hat in the building and I'm looking forward to reestablishing the high standard of defensive football we expect back here on Route 40 West.
 
Konieczka played football four seasons at Ferrum from 2013-16, earning USA South All-Conference and VaSID All-State his senior year in 2016. He was Ferrum's Big Green Award recipient in 2016, the top award for a graduating senior in the Panther football program. Konieczka was also a USA South All-Academic Team member in 2015 and 2016.

Konieczka officially begins his new position at Ferrum on February 17.