End of an Era: Tim Clifton retires after 32 seasons
Mars Hill University Head Football Coach Tim Clifton Announces Retirement After 32-year Career
MARS HILL, N.C. - Mars Hill University announced today that longtime head football coach Tim Clifton will retire following the conclusion of his 32nd season, closing a remarkable career that has shaped generations of student-athletes and left an enduring mark on the university and the South Atlantic Conference.
Clifton, who has led the Lions since 1993, is the winningest coach in program history and ranks second in the South Atlantic Conference in both overall wins and conference wins. His 49-year coaching career has been defined not only by on-field success but by his unwavering commitment to developing young men of character and fostering a family-centered culture within the program.
"I have decided to retire after our 32 years here at Mars Hill and 49 years in coaching to spend more time with my family, especially our 4 grandchildren—we just had another brand new granddaughter this summer," Clifton said. "My family and I want to thank Mars Hill University for giving us the opportunity to spend the last 32 years as the head football coach here at the university."
"Mars Hill University is a very special place and has become home to our family," he continued. "We want to thank all our former and current players for their commitment and love for the Mars Hill football family. Our goal has been to help you become good fathers and husbands and hopefully we have done that."
Clifton's tenure has been marked by extraordinary achievements both on and off the field. He has coached more than 20 All-American players at Mars Hill and more than 100 All-Conference players. Six of his former players went on to compete in the NFL, and he coached Jonas Randolph, winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy—Division II's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Randolph remains the only Harlon Hill Trophy winner in South Atlantic Conference history.
Director of Athletics Rick Baker, who has worked alongside Clifton for 31 years, praised the retiring coach's impact beyond wins and losses.
"Coach Clifton has devoted most of his life to Mars Hill Football, to the university and to all the student-athletes he has guided over the last 32 years," Baker said. "His football coaching accolades speak for themselves, but working beside Coach Clifton for 31 years I saw more than that. I saw a man who loved to win but more than that loved to develop young men into good fathers and good citizens."
In recent years, Clifton has continued to demonstrate his coaching excellence. Across the last four seasons (2021-2024), he guided the Lions to two Mountain Division Championships with an overall record of 28-12 and a conference record of 24-9.
Beyond his program's success, Clifton has been a respected voice in Division II football, serving on the All-American Committee and both regional and national committees for the division.
Before arriving at Mars Hill, Clifton built his coaching foundation through positions at Evans Junior High School, Clarke Central High School (where he helped win a national title in 1979 as quarterback coach), the University of South Carolina, Virginia Military Institute, Fayetteville State University, and Ferrum College.
A native of Macon, Georgia, Clifton played collegiately at Mercer University, where he met his wife, Joy. They have been married 48 years and have two children and four grandchildren.
Mars Hill University will announce the selection of its next head football coach in the coming days. The Lions open the 2025 season at home on September 6 against Winston-Salem State University.
"Today is bittersweet for me," Baker added. "I hate to see Coach Clifton retire and I will miss working with him. On the other hand, I am very happy for him to retire so he can spend time with his grandchildren and family. He has earned it."
About Mars Hill University:
Mars Hill University is a premier private, liberal arts institution offering over 30 baccalaureate degrees, as well as master's degrees in criminal justice, elementary education, teaching, and management. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, the campus is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville in the mountains of western North Carolina.
For more information contact:
Rick Baker, Director of Athletics, 828-689-1373, rbaker@mhu.edu
Adam Williams, Director of Athletic Communications, 828-689-1363, awilliams@mhu.edu
Mike Thornhill, Director of Communications, 828-689-1298, mthornhill@mhu.edu
