Stasavich Hired as New Head Grid Coach at ECC
This article describes the arrival of Clarence Stasavich at East Carolina. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: Bryant, George. "Stasavich Hired as New Head Grid Coach at ECC," Daily Reflector, November 27, 1961.
Clarence Stasavich was hired this morning as new head football coach at East Carolina College with his duties beginning Jan.1.
The East Carolina Colege Athletic Committee this morning endorsed the appointment of Stasavich as head coach.
College President Leo W. Jenkins made the announcement immediately following the committe meeting and said, "We are very happy to have a man of this calibre join our staff."
Stasavich has been the head coach at Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory for the past 16 years. He will succeed Jack Boone as the Pirate mentor. Boone was moved to the position of professor in the department of health and physical education last week.
In commenting on the final appointment today Jenkins said, "Stasavich is not only a leader in athletics, but also a leader in his church."
Jorgensen added, "I am very happy that Stasavich will be with us at ECC in the capacity of head football coach. He has established a good record as a coach in winning seven consecutive championships in the Carolinas Conference and in addition to winning the 1960 NAIA title."
The Athletic Director also noted, "I have known 'Stas' as he is commonly called, during the 14 years that I have been associated with East Carolina and at times we have been on the opposite sides of the fence. But I have always found in him conscientiuos, sincere and a gentleman." Jorgensen added, "Now we will both be striving for accomplishments in football here at ECC."
In addition to his coaching duties at the college, Stasavich will be an associate professor in the Physical Education department. As a professor his salary will be $7,500 a year with an additional $4,500 being paid by the athletic committee for a total of $12,000 annually.
The new ECC coach is a 1935 graduate of Lenoir Rhyne. After graduation he coached for three years at Campbell College before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach for four years.
During World War II, Stasavich served in the Navy. He returned after the war as head coach for the Bears in 1946. He built a winner during his second year and has been consistently doing so ever since.
Stasavich was runner-up to Warren Woodson of New Mexico College in the voting of small college national coach of the year honors in 1960. He was national coach of the year among National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools during the 1959 season when his team was also unbeatable.
During the last seven seasons his teams have won seven straight conference championships and have only lost five games. Prior to 1955 Lenoir Rhyne mentor had championship clubs in 1951 and '52.
While building great teams, Stasavich has also built some outstanding individual football players. Through last season 48 athletes have made the all-North State Conference team and 10 have attained all-American recognition.
After his appointment today, Stasavich could not be reahced for comment. He was reported on a plane headed for Kinston where he will be the speaker at the Kinston High School football banquet tonight.
The new coach was in Greenville Saturday conferring with the top college officials, but the final acceptance could not be given until the athletic committee met toay. After his visit Stasavich said, "I have had a very pleasant visit here at East Carolina College and enjoyed my conversations with Dr. Jenkins (ECC President), Dr. N.M. Jorgenson (head of Department of Health and Physical Education) and other members of the administrative staff."
