Limestone University, which plays football in the same Division II conference with Catawba, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Wingate, will be shutting its doors at the end of the spring semester and scuttling its athletics programs.
Head football coach Jerricho Cotchery – a former NC State and Carolina Panthers wide receiver – confirmed the news in a heartfelt post on Twitter/X on Wednesday evening:
“Words can’t express how heartbroken I am for my staff and players after hearing Limestone University is closing,” Cotchery wrote. “They have poured everything into making this a respected program across the country! You won’t find a better group of people. It was a joy working with them every single day! We had an incredible staff, roster, and 2025 signing class! If you need a reference on any of them feel free to reach out. Thank you to EVERYONE, especially the families, who supported us over the past three seasons! I love you all and will forever be grateful! Romans 8:28.”
If there are any coaches that want to know about our players please let me know! Our staff wants to help all of our current players and recruits find homes! Please reach out!
Thank you Limestone!⚜️⚜️⚜️ pic.twitter.com/eACBT1cwSD — Coach Lane Knost (@LaneKnost) April 17, 2025
The news of Limestone University’s closure comes after reports earlier Wednesday that the Gaffney, S.C. school was seeking $6 million in emergency funding to remain open amid mounting debt. In a public statement, Limestone said it might be forced to move to online-only classes if the financial support could not be secured.
But by Wednesday evening, football coaches confirmed the situation was more final.
“Limestone University informed the Faculty and students today that the University will be shutting down at the end of the semester,” assistant coach Preston Rice posted on X on Wednesday evening. “Our current players and Class of 25s will be looking for new opportunities.”
Impact on North Carolina D2 Programs
Limestone has been open for 179 years. It debuted football in 2014, starting as a D2 independent before joining the South Atlantic Conference in 2017.
The Saints, under Cotchery’s leadership, posted an 8-3 record in 2024, with wins over North Carolina conference partners Catawba and Mars Hill. Quarterback Dustin Noller earned SAC offensive player of the year honors in both 2023 and 2024.
Limestone was set to play all four North Carolina rivals again in 2025 as the SAC adopted a full round-robin schedule.
Limestone players were busy on social media Wednesday night, scrambling to find new homes for the 2025 season. The Saints just wrapped up their spring drills over the weekend.
Limestone is officially shutting down. Now some serious D2 talent is on the move.
Here are some names to know ⬇️
The Saints went 8–3 last season and were building something real. Now that the program is closed, their best young players are hitting the portal. A few of them… pic.twitter.com/HwqWgvZe9F — D2 College Football Spotlight (@d2fbspotlight) April 17, 2025
