For nearly two decades, Patrick Bolen has been a cornerstone of Averett University’s football program, dedicating himself to the team, the players, and the university. Bolen joined Averett in 2006, recruited by Coach Dunlevy after connections through friends led him to a student coaching position. Already with five years of high school coaching experience, Bolen seized the opportunity to complete his degree while transitioning into collegiate coaching.

For Bolen, Averett football is more than just a career—it’s a family. His loyalty, he says, is rooted in the sense of home he feels at Averett, despite opportunities to pursue positions elsewhere.

“At this point, AU football feels like family,” Bolen shares, adding that he takes pride in bridging past and present teams, offering a sense of continuity in the program.

Reflecting on Averett’s growth, Bolen points to the transformation of both the facilities and the mentality of the players. In the age of social media and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), younger players often prioritize individual achievements. However, Bolen notes that this tendency tends to balance out as players mature and grow within the team.

For Bolen, the ultimate reward goes beyond winning games; it’s about mentoring players in life.

“If I can teach them lessons to become better partners, husbands, and fathers, then they will become better teammates,” he explains.

Bolen cherishes moments like receiving wedding invitations and birth announcements from former players as deeply as any championship win.

“It shows I’ve made an impact,” he says.

After nearly two decades with Averett football, Bolen’s message to his players is clear: stay close to driven, like-minded people, embrace the lessons found in setbacks, and always give back. “Iron sharpens iron,” he advises, embodying his commitment to nurturing success on and off the field.