Austin Bortle Named Inaugural Head Sprint Football Coach At Fontbonne
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Vice President of Athletics Maria Buckel is pleased to announce the hiring of Austin Bortle as the inaugural Head Sprint Football Coach at Fontbonne.
"I'm extremely thankful to President Dr. Nancy Blattner and Athletic Director Maria Buckel for their belief in me to lead Fontbonne University Sprint Football," said Bortle. "It was apparent from the moment I met these two women that they share my passion for helping the student-athletes grow as men on and off the field."
"The opportunity to start not only a football team, but an entirely new league and sport to the area is an amazing honor. My family and I are excited to return home to St. Louis and build this program into one that the university and city can be proud of."
Coach Bortle comes to Fontbonne after being at NCAA Division II Southwest Baptist University since January 2016 where he started out as the Assistant Coach, Defensive Run Game Coordinator, and the Defensive Line Coach.
In June 2019, Coach Bortle's was the Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Run Game Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.
Recently, he's coordinated the Special Teams units and led the Punt Return unit that finished 13th in the country.
He's also led a defensive line unit that was top 12 in the country in tackles for loss, along with in his first season led Southwest Baptist to its first NCAA Division II playoff appearance and first conference championship. Individually, he's helped produce seven All-Conference Performers on the defensive side of the ball.
Prior to his stint with the Bearcats, Coach Bortle spent eight seasons at NCAA Division II Lindenwood University. From 2009-12 he was an Assistant Wide Receivers Coach and during that stint he coached four wide receivers that signed NFL contracts, along with producing seven All-Conference performers in two seasons.
From 2010-15, he was the Video Coordinator, while being the Assistant Coach, Director of Recruiting and leading the Defensive Line.
As a player, Bortle was a Wide Receiver at Lindenwood from 2005-08. He was part of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship in 2007 and two National Playoff Appearances. While at Lindenwood, the team went 32-15 overall.
He's a graduate of Lindenwood with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and graduated with a Master of Arts in Management from Lindenwood in 2011.
Quotes on Coach Austin Bortle:
Fontbonne President Dr. Nancy Blattner
"Fontbonne is thrilled to announce Austin Bortle as our first Sprint Football Coach. Given his playing and coaching experience as well as his connections in the St. Louis Athletic Community, Austin will be able to work quickly to educate potential recruits about Sprint Football and to select our first cohort of players for the fall 2022 season."
Vice President of Athletics Maria Buckel
"It's critical in any coaching hire to find the right person but it's even more important when you are starting a new sport that's part of a new league. We are so fortunate to have Coach Austin Bortle lead Fontbonne's first ever Sprint Football program. His experience with successful programs and his established relationships in local high schools made him very attractive but his character and the way he plans to develop his players is what makes him an ideal leader. I'm excited to see the Fontbonne Griffins take the field in 2022 under Coach Bortle's direction."
About Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.