Head of School Brent Bell announced today that Eddie Guth has been appointed athletic director at Darlington School, effective July 1. Guth has more than three decades of experience in independent school education and athletics, serving most recently as athletic director and head football coach at Randolph School in Huntsville, Ala.
“Eddie brings with him a wide range of independent school experience,” Bell said. “He is a proven relational leader and program builder and, most importantly, he connects with kids. I know our student-athletes will enjoy working with him.”
Guth is no stranger to Darlington, having taught and coached at the school from 1984 to 1994. During this time, he held numerous roles, including assistant athletic director, defensive coordinator for varsity football, head girls’ track coach (winning state championships in 1993 and 1994), strength and speed development coach, director of Camp Darlington, master of dormitories, chairman of the Discipline Committee, Middle School English and P.E. teacher, and Upper School public speaking teacher.
“During my first 10 years at Darlington, I met so many great people and built wonderful relationships,” Guth said. “Darlington helped me build a foundation and taught me what it takes to be a successful educator and coach. Every time I come back to Rome, I truly feel like Darlington is my home. My wife and I are very excited about rejoining the Darlington Community. I’m excited to be coming home.”
The beloved coach and teacher earned numerous accolades, including “Most Vital Member of the Darlington Community” in 1993 and 1994.
Guth left Darlington in 1994 for St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala., where he served as athletic director for two years and head football coach for 10 years. He later held the role of athletic director at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., and athletic director and head football coach at St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Mobile before his move to Randolph in 2012.
“A couple of highlights of this time include a significant role in the college recruitment of athletes in each school, and the creation and leadership of the athletic department at St. Luke’s as the school moved to add a high school to the existing structure,” Bell said. “This work included facilities planning, hiring a full coaching staff, and working closely with the Admission Office.”
Guth holds a B.A. in Communication from Rhodes College. He and his wife, Virginia (Johnson) Guth (’79), have two grown children, Will and Jay.
“I want to thank Matt Peer, all of our head coaches, the directors of the Darlington Academies, our administrative team, Bob Stinchcomb, Lynda Miller and the leadership of the Athletic Booster Club for their active participation in this search process,” Bell said. “I am thrilled to welcome Eddie and his wife, Virginia, back to the Lakeside and am very excited about the future of athletics at Darlington!”
Guth is excited as well.
“I was so impressed by the three major components that make up the athletic department,” Guth said. “Darlington’s facilities are outstanding. I met a great group of coaches who seem passionate and focused on making their teams better. And the thing I enjoyed the most was my time with the students. They were so articulate and we had great conversations. They were awesome.
“We’re going to work very hard to do everything we can to grow the athletic department and make it the best it can be,” he continued. “I look forward to meeting everyone at Darlington and to serving the school to the very best of my ability."
Guth will replace current Athletic Director Bob Stinchcomb, who announced on March 26 that this will be his last year at Darlington. Read the announcement here.
