JACKSON, Miss. – Belhaven Head Football Coach Joe Thrasher has been chosen as the new Athletics Director and Head Football Coach at Hartfield Academy in Flowood, Mississippi and will be stepping down as the Head Coach at Belhaven. Thrasher just completed his fifth season at the helm of the Blazers program. Coach Danny White is serving as the Football program coordinator during the interim.

"Joe has poured his heart and soul into our student-athletes, both on and off the field," said Vice President for Athletics Scott Little. "We've watched a lot of young men follow Christ, excel athletically and succeed academically, all under his leadership and influence. God has provided Joe and Martha a new chapter in life and it will be exciting to see his ministry continue and expand even further."

Thrasher arrived at Belhaven in 2009 and guided the Blazers to their first winning season since 2006. The team posted a 6-5 overall record and 4-2 mark in the Mid-South Conference West Division that year. He matched those numbers again in 2012, landing the team a spot in the MSC West Division Championship game. Thrasher coached Belhaven's first NFL player in Tramaine Brock of the San Francisco 49ers and his leadership has been key to the competitive growth of the program.

"It has been great to work with Joe through these years and to see his lasting impact in the lives of hundreds of our football players - first as a team leader on our first football team, to assistant coach, and then to head coach," said Belhaven University President Dr. Roger Parrott. "Having watched so carefully God expand and build his gifts, I'm thrilled for Joe and Martha as he moves into the responsibility of athletic administration for such a quality school. Joe has always been ministry focused, and in this new role his influence will be multiplied even further as he will bring that same passion for God-honoring athletics to all the sports of Hartfield Academy."

A national search is currently underway for Belhaven's next Head Football Coach.

"The opportunity to lead our Football program will attract immediate interest from strong candidates across the country," added Little. "From a solid group of current student-athletes to a brand new team facility opening in a few weeks to a supportive campus environment, the future of Belhaven Football is exciting."