GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- After 18 seasons, Frankie DeBusk is no longer the head football coach at Tusculum College announced interim athletic director Doug Jones.

In his 18 years guiding the Tusculum football program, the Pioneers had a 96-100 overall record, including this year's 4-7 campaign as TC finished seventh in the South Atlantic Conference with a 2-5 league mark.

During his tenure at the Greeneville, Tennessee school, he led Tusculum to a pair of SAC Championships in 2003 and 2008. The 2008 squad also advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time in program history. In that season, he was named the Conference and Region Coach of the Year.

His 96 career wins and 196 games coached are the most in school history.

From 2007-2015 DeBusk also served the dual role as athletic director, a post he stepped down from this past August.

He was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Art Argauer Award, which is presented to the Tusculum coach of the year as selected by their peers. He earned the award in 2003-04 and again in 2008-09.

Over the past 18 years, the Tusculum Pioneer Football teams equaled or established over 100 team and individual marks. Since joining the South Atlantic Conference in 1999, 94 Tusculum football student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition, including 39 All-Region honorees and 27 All-Americans.

Amongst that group are three student-athletes who finished as national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes NCAA Division II's College Football Player of the Year. Cornerback Ricardo Colclough, who played six seasons in the National Football League, was a 2003 finalist after earning consensus All-America honors. In 2008, quarterback Corey Russell became the second individual to be in the running for the Hill Trophy, after earning SAC and Region Offensive Player of the Year accolades. Most recently, quarterback Bo Cordell was a two-time national finalist in 2010 and again in 2013 after becoming DII's all-time leading passer.

Twenty-seven (27) Tusculum football student-athletes continued their respective playing careers at the professional ranks, including five in the National Football League. Colclough was the 38th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the highest drafted player in South Atlantic Conference history. Colclough became the third player in the history of the SAC to earn a Super Bowl ring as the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. Kevin Wolcott, a 2003 All-American receiver who led the nation in receptions, signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans. Two-time All-American tackle Alan Dunn signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons. All-Region receiver Rashaad Carter signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 and is currently playing in the Arena Football League. All-American defensive end Caushaud Lyons signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 and is currently on the practice squad with the Steelers.

Seven players earned South Atlantic Conference Football Scholar Athlete of the Year honors, the most by any league member since 1999, including three-time winner (2007, 2008, 2009) and two-time Academic All-America® tight end Jarrell NeSmith as well as two-time honorees Craig Pritchett (2002, 2003) and Glen Black (2005, 2006).

DeBusk, a 1991 Furman University graduate, established 11 school records at quarterback for the Paladins, while compiling an impressive 31-6 record. In 1988, DeBusk led Furman to a 13-2 mark while capturing the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. His collegiate career also included three Southern Conference titles and three trips to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. He ended his playing career holding school records with 6,726 total yards, including 5,851 yards passing. He was also responsible for 55 touchdowns (38 passing, 17 rushing). For his efforts, he was honored as Southern Conference Player of the Year in 1990. He also earned All-SoCon accolades in his final two collegiate campaigns. In 1998, DeBusk was inducted into the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following graduation, DeBusk joined the Furman coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach in 1991 and was a restricted earnings assistant coach at his alma mater in 1992.

DeBusk stayed within the Southern Conference as he joined the Chattanooga staff in 1993 where he coaches the Mocs' receivers and quarterbacks for four seasons, before assuming the role of offensive coordinator in 1997. The Mocs posted their most successful season since 1991, with a 7-4 record in 1997.

DeBusk was a two-sport star at Greeneville High School, where he guided the Greene Devils to TSSAA playoff appearances on the gridiron as well as a guard on the basketball hardwood.

Jones stated, "Tusculum College will remain eternally grateful for the years of dedicated service Coach DeBusk has given to the institution and to his players." Jones also indicated that a national search for a new football coach will begin immediately.

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