Stuart Bedenbaugh

Stuart Bedenbaugh is an American football coach who served as the head coach at Fayetteville State University from 2011 to 2012. A longtime assistant within the CIAA and MEAC, his coaching career has been defined by extensive work at HBCUs across the Southeastern United States. His tenure leading the Fayetteville State Broncos football program was part of a broader, decades-long commitment to collegiate athletics and student-athlete development.

Early life and education

Bedenbaugh was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and developed an early passion for football in the region. He pursued his higher education at the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks football team as a walk-on player under head coach Sparky Woods. His time in Columbia provided a foundational understanding of Division I athletics and the SEC competitive environment. After completing his undergraduate studies, he remained dedicated to the field, which paved the way for his entry into the coaching profession shortly thereafter.

Coaching career

Bedenbaugh's coaching career began in 1995 as an assistant at Benedict College in the SIAC. He then moved to South Carolina State University, serving as an assistant from 1997 to 2000 and working within the competitive MEAC. Subsequent assistant roles followed at Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College, further solidifying his reputation within the CIAA conference. In 2005, he joined the staff at Fayetteville State University under head coach Kenny Phillips, initially as an assistant before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2007. During his time as coordinator, the Fayetteville State Broncos offense was instrumental in the team's success, including a CIAA championship appearance. In December 2010, following the departure of Phillips, Bedenbaugh was named the 17th head coach in program history. His two-season tenure leading the Fayetteville State Broncos concluded in 2012, after which he transitioned back into an assistant coaching role, contributing to programs like the Winston-Salem State Rams.

Head coaching record

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Team ! Overall ! Conference ! Standing ! Bowl/playoffs |- | 2011 | Fayetteville State | 3–7 | 3–4 | T–3rd (Southern) | |- | 2012 | Fayetteville State | 2–8 | 2–5 | T–4th (Southern) | |- ! colspan="2" | Fayetteville State ! 5–15 ! 5–9 | | |}

Personal life

Beyond the football field, Bedenbaugh is known for his deep community involvement and commitment to mentoring young athletes. He has been a frequent speaker at football clinics and community events throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. His family has been a consistent support system throughout his career, which has spanned multiple states and institutions. Following his head coaching stint, he has remained active in football development circles, often collaborating with other coaches from the CIAA and MEAC networks on initiatives aimed at supporting HBCU athletic programs.

Category:American football coaches Category:Fayetteville State University football coaches Category:University of South Carolina alumni Category:Living people