Curt Newsome, a championship-winning college football coach, has passed away at the age of 67.
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According to Newsome's obituary, he passed away on May 31 in Abingdon, Virginia, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Melinda; their children, Curt III (Beth) and Elizabeth Heiskell (Tyler); and their grandchildren, Wyatt and Eloise.
He is also survived by his brothers, Bryan of Manakin-Sabot and Vaughn (Joy); one brother-in-law; and a many nieces and nephews.
A native of Virginia, Newsome earned his undergraduate degree at Emory & Henry College in 1982. He spent 16 years coaching high school football while earning five district coach-of-the-year honors.
He then moved into college football in 1999. He coached James Madison University for eight years, and he led the team to a FCS National Championship win over Montana 2004.
Newsome also achieved success as an offensive line coach at Virginia Tech from 2006-12. The Hokies won three Atlantic Coast Conference Championships during his tenure coaching the line.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Curt Newsome.
A respected leader at Virginia Tech, James Madison, Emory & Henry & across Virginia high school football, Coach Newsome devoted his life to mentoring student-athletes & building championship programs.
We join… pic.twitter.com/B6e3DTc1HW
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) May 31, 2026
Newsome took over as head coach of the Emory & Henry Wasps in 2014. He remained in charge of the program for 10 seasons and guided it as it moved from NCAA Division III to Division II and the South Atlantic Conference.
The veteran coach led the Wasps to a record of 53-42, which included six winning seasons. He also earned Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2014. The team went 8-2 that season.
"The Emory & Henry University community is deeply saddened by the passing of former Head Football Coach and 2024 Sports Hall of Fame inductee Curt Newsome, a respected leader, mentor, and member of the Wasps family whose impact on the institution and its student-athletes will be felt for generations," the university said in a statement.
"Newsome served Emory & Henry with distinction, guiding the football program through a significant period in its history while exemplifying the values of commitment, integrity, and service that define the University.
"His passion for the game was matched only by his dedication to the young men he coached, many of whom credit him with helping shape their lives both on and off the field."
