Coach Jim Sypult has coached 17 seasons at Methodist University, a program that he has helped build to become a consistent contender in the USA South Athletic Conference. Sypult believes “we have been very competitive for several years. We haven’t accomplished all of our goals and dreams yet. We still have work to do.”
Sypult’s philosophies helped to garner him a share of the 2005 conference championship, but he is not merely concerned with competing on the field. Sypult maintains “our players are expected to be the best they can be: on the field, off the field, and in the classroom. We, as coaches, help them for four years preparing for the next forty years. They are the future. Coaches and teachers have a huge responsibility.”
The victories keep accumulating; Sypult boasts a 87-92 record while finishing nine seasons at .500 or better. Methodist had only two wins in three years before Sypult was hired. In 1997, the Monarchs went 9-1, finishing the season ranked 20th in the country for Division III. The team finished 7-3 in both 2000 and 2004, before finishing at the top of the conference with Ferrum in 2005.
While Coach Sypult has been the head coach at Methodist, eleven Monarch athletes have earned NCAA Division III All-American honors, while 26 players have been awarded first team All-Dixie Intercollegiate/USA South Athletic Conference honors. In addition, Sypult has helped to produce two DIAC/USA South Defensive Players of the Year and two DIAC/USA South Offensive Players of the Year. In 2000, Sypult was named the DIAC Coach of the Year.
Sypult credits his staff with much of his success, “I am blessed to have these men working with me. Coming to work is pure joy. Each coach has no ego; no chore is beneath him. They are a loyal and cohesive group of demanding and knowledgeable winners.”
Originally from Fairmont, West Virginia, Sypult was selected All-State in football and basketball at East Fairmont High School. He attended West Virginia University, starting two seasons at free safety and one season at wide receiver. In 1964, he helped take the Mountaineers to the Liberty Bowl and eventually was selected captain as a senior in 1966.
Coach Sypult played under a number of prominent coaches including Bobby Bowden (long-time Florida State Head Coach), Galen Hall (Penn State’s Offensive Coordinator, Jim Carlen (former Head Coach at the University of South Carolina and Texas Tech) and Marshall Taylor (former Head Coach of the Shreveport Steamers of the old USFL).
Sypult spent a year as a graduate assistant coach at West Virginia while earning his master’s degree in safety education. He coached high school for five years before moving to college coaching. In 1973, Sypult returned to his hometown as co-defensive coordinator at Division II Fairmont State and in 1974 moved to Middle Tennessee State as the defensive coordinator under Bill Peck and Ben Hurt.
From 1979 to 1991, Sypult spent time as defensive coordinator and administrative assistant at Davidson College. During his time at Davidson, Sypult took a two-year hiatus to coach in Italy, taking a 2-12 team to the Super Bowl Playoffs.
Sypult attributes his own coaching development to the mentors he has had throughout his life. “I have had great people guide me,” he said. “Every coach I had influenced me in a positive way. Joe Ross was my first coach in the 6th grade. Jim Priester and Jimmy Cale in high school were great people as were all of my college coaches. Every young man should be as lucky as me.”
Sypult is married to Dr. Sharron Sypult, an associate professor in Journalism and Communications. The Sypults have one daughter, Jill Marcus, who owns a catering business in Charlotte. The Sypults have two grandsons, Zachary (13) and Kyle (9).
