Christopher Newport athletics photo

Christopher Newport athletic director Kyle McMullin announced today football coach Art Link and his staff will not be retained following the completion of the 2021 season on Saturday.
 
"I am thankful for the time and energy that Coach Link and his staff have poured into coaching our students," McMullin said. "It is time to pursue new leadership for our football program. Our Community of Champions at Christopher Newport demands excellence from all of our students and staff. Our next head coach will be charged with meeting that standard and contributing to the university's championship tradition. The search will begin immediately."
 
Link has guided the program since 2017, when he was hired to replace the program's founding coach, Matt Kelchner. Link had been the defensive coordinator at Lehigh and had not had a Division III coaching job since he spent a year as a position coach at Catholic in 2006.

The Captains concluded the 2021 season on Saturday with a 35-32 victory at Rowan. CNU was 19-22 in his five years as head coach, one of which was limited to two games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
McMullin also announced that assistant coach Paul Crowley will serve as interim head coach and will continue administrative and recruiting responsibilities until the nationwide search process is complete and a new head coach is in place.