Former Amherst head coach takes over W&L job

Washington and Lee University's new head football coach is a familiar face to 1st & 10 Friday Football fans in southwest and central Virginia.

The school promoted assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Scott Abell to the head coach position on Wednesday, a day after long time coach Frank Miriello announced his retirement.

"Words cannot express my excitement for this opportunity," said Abell in a news release.  "I am grateful to Coach Miriello for the opportunity he gave me as offensive coordinator four years ago," Abell added.  "I am also thankful for the confidence that Athletic Director Jan Hathorn, President Ken Ruscio and our University administration has instilled in me to lead the program."

During his time as offensive coordinator at W&L, the school says average yards per game and points per game increased each season.  The Generals set multiple records, and ranked 3rd in the nation for total offense.

"It's not often that an institution is in the position of having the right person for the job already on our staff, yet W&L finds itself in that exact, and wonderful, situation," said Washington and Lee Director of Athletics Jan Hathorn, in the release.  "Like his predecessors, Scott brings to our program a great knowledge of football, a commitment to the student-athletes on the team, and an understanding of how athletics fits into the overall mission of Washington and Lee.  Scott has a proven track record of success, which has already been demonstrated in his four years on our staff, yet even more importantly, Scott's belief in teaching our young men about responsibility, leadership and the value of hard work is what makes this such a perfect hire."

Abell previously coached at Amherst High School for six seasons, and led the Lancers to two state championships in 2006 and 2007.  Abell was also named state coach of the year in both of those years.  He left in 2008 to join the W&L staff.

Abell's other local high school coaching resume includes turning Liberty High School from an 0-10 team in 1998 to the Seminole District champion in 2001.  Abell also served as assistant coach at Altavista High School from 1996-1997.