Football, at its core, is a game of leverage, grit, and the quiet work done in the trenches. No one understood this better than Curt Newsome. When news broke that the former Virginia Tech and James Madison University offensive line coach had passed away at the age of 67, the college football world sent their prayers.
How the College Football World Remembered Former Coach Curt Newsome
For fans of Virginia Tech, Newsome’s era under Frank Beamer represents a golden age of Hokie football. From 2006 to 2012, he took the reins of the offensive line. Under his watch, the Hokies captured three ACC championships and made regular trips to BCS bowl games.
But his impact wasn’t localized to Blacksburg. At James Madison University (JMU), across two different stints, Newsome helped lay the foundational culture that eventually propelled the Dukes into a national FCS powerhouse.
Virginia Tech Football’s X handle wrote, “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 his family, friends, former players & colleagues in remembering his life, legacy & impact.”
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
Virginia Preps’ Matthew Hatfield commented, “Saddened to learn of the passing of Curt Newsome – one of the more respected football coaches in the Commonwealth of Virginia – at the age of 67.
“Thoughts and prayers to his entire family. #RIP my friend!”
College Football Alerts’ X handle captioned, “Former Virginia Tech, James Madison, and Emory & Henry football coach Curt Newsome has tragically passed away. Rest in Peace. 🕊️🙏”
Former Virginia Tech, James Madison, and Emory & Henry football coach Curt Newsome has tragically passed away.
Rest in Peace. 🕊️🙏 pic.twitter.com/V4efpSOCeb
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) May 31, 2026
Rappahannock High School’s Coach Marv responded, “Rest In Peace Coach Newsome, Thank You For Everything! 🙏🏾🕊️”
Bleav Network’s Dan replied, “Knew his son fairly well. Curt was always very good to me. Often stayed at my work when he was on the road recruiting. RIP, Coach. 🙏🏻🕊️”
Before he was scheming against ACC powerhouses, Newsome was a legend in the Virginia high school ranks, most notably coaching Heritage High School and Kecoughtan High School into formidable programs. It was in these early years that his coaching philosophy crystallized: football was a vehicle for life.
He didn’t change his stripes when he climbed the collegiate ladder. Newsome remained fiercely loyal to his Virginia roots.
In his later years, he took his hard-nosed philosophy to Emory & Henry College as head coach, continuing to do what he did best, building programs from the dirt up. Now, his passing at 67 leaves a void that statistics can’t measure.
