Coach Craig at football practice working with the players.

Buncombe County Schools (BCS) employs thousands of extraordinary staff all across the district. BCS takes pride in recruiting the best in order to inspire, educate, encourage and elevate students on a daily basis. As a way to honor the hard work and dedication that staff pour into our schools, we are recognizing those who go above and beyond to make BCS one of the best. This BCS Staff Spotlight recognizes Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach, Bryan Craig from A.C. Reynolds High School (ACRHS). 

Coach Craig is a major asset to the ACRHS football team and the school. In the fall he is on the sidelines pushing the players to greatness and cheering them on no matter the outcome of the game. After the season he continues to push students to be the best they can inside and outside the classroom. 

“I love being able to help our athletes become exceptional adults once they graduate,” said Coach Craig. “We have a wonderful group of talented athletes at ACRHS.”

In addition to success on the field, Coach Craig has received a couple of professional honors. He received the Broyles Award for Top Assistant Coach in North Carolina. This national award recognizes the top high school assistant football coaches in every participating state. 

“Receiving the Broyles Award is a huge honor for me,” Coach Craig said. “It is a reflection of the successful football program we have here at ACRHS.”

Coach Craig will also represent BCS this year as one of the head coaches in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. High school football players from across both North Carolina and South Carolina are selected to play on the NC or SC teams. This special game brings national recognition to both the players and coaches. Money raised from the event supports the Shriners Hospital. 

“I am thrilled to coach in the same game that as a kid I would have loved to have been a part of,” he said. “I am looking forward to being able to coach with the best coaches in the state. The Shrine Bowl is a legacy of the sport, and is the oldest game of its kind in the country.”

Coach Craig said he hopes his players not only learn to love the game of football from him, but to also learn a bigger life lesson.

“I love coming out everyday to work with the talented group we have here,” he said. “I hope most importantly they learn from me how to be a great husband, father, and mentor throughout life.”

Football player working on plays at practice.