Justin Harper was named VSU's Interim Head Football Coach on January 27, 2016. Harper first entered VSU as the Trojans Wide Receivers Coach for the 2015 season.
Harper was previously Wide Receivers Coach at Lenior-Rhyne and also coached the special teams and was part of a staff which earned a spot in the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship game and won a third straight league title.
In addition, Harper was promoted within the team's coaching ranks and assisted with the secondary with concentration on the safeties on top of his original duties.
One of the best high school players in the local area in recent memory, Harper was drafted in the seventh round by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens in 2008 out of Virginia Tech.
Harper was a member of the Ravens for three seasons (2008-10) and played for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders and British Columbia Lions.
During his collegiate days as a Hokie, Harper totaled 83 receptions for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. Harper was part of two ACC Championships while at Virginia Tech: 2004 and 2007.
Harper, a native of Catawba, N.C., led Bandys to the 2002 NCHSAA State Championship and finished the season with 1,112 yards on 60 catches and 18 touchdowns.
Harper also founded The Oddie Cares Foundation, which serves to meet the needs of all Catawba County youth both academically and athletically.
Â
