Ashford23

Patrick Ashford

  • Title
    Running Backs/Special Situations & Money Down Coordinator
  • Email
    ashfordpr@vmi.edu
  • Phone
    540-464-7849
Twitter: @VMICoachAshford

A Tennessee native, 2024 will be Ashford's fourth in Lexington and third as the team's Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Under Ashford's direction in 2023, the rushing offense fared well, as Hunter Rice led the league in rushing touchdowns (14 – 4th nationally) and had the third-most yards on the ground (867).

Ashford arrived on post in February, 2020 and spent two seasons hired as the wide receivers. He helped develop a receiving corps that included spring All-America 2021 receiver Jakob Herres who was the SoCon 2020-21 Offensive Player of the Year and finished his VMI career holding the school career TD reception mark with 27 and ranked second all-time in career receptions with 226.

In his first season, Ashford led a receivers unit that helped propel the “Air Raid” offense to a Southern Conference title.

Ashford came to the Institute after serving three seasons as an offensive assistant working with tight ends and receivers at Vanderbilt University. He assisted a Commodore offense that in 2018 produced one of the best offensive performances in school history averaging 28.5 pts/game and 411.2 yards per game.

Ashford also served prior coaching stints as quarterbacks coach at Tennessee-Martin and two seasons as an offensive assistant at Austin Peay under head coach Will Healy.

A native of Morristown, Tennessee, Ashford is a 2015 graduate of the University of Tennessee and appeared in 24 games for the Vols, serving as the primary holder for the 2014-15 seasons and participated in two bowl victories.

“VMI has continually improved on offense the past four seasons. Therefore, it was easy to promote Pat Ashford to the position of Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach,” said head coach Scott Wachenheim. “Pat has experience working with some of the top offensive coordinators in college football. He has an innovative mind and will keep the VMI offense moving forward at a fast and furious pace.”