Virginia Tech Football Adds Coastal Carolina's Kevin Cristello as Chief of Staff

Photo Credit: Jake Roth

Virginia Tech made an under-the-radar addition to their football staff announcing the hiring of Coastal Carolina's Kevin Cristello as the Chief of Staff & Football Operations

Cristello replaces Danielle Bartelstein who left Virginia Tech earlier this fall to take on a major role with the College Football Playoff. Assistant Director of Football Operations Matt Transue had been the interim replacement in Bartelstein's role while the Hokies were searching for a replacement.

This is Cristello's most prominent job to date as he was the Director of Football Administration/Recruiting at Coastal Carolina for the past 2 years. Before that, Cristello was Nebraska's Assistant Director of Football Operations in 2017 and the Director of Football Operations for Eastern Kentucky from 2011-2016. Cristello also spent three seasons at Kentucky Christian University (2008-2010) after two years at his alma mater Morehead State.

Cristello's role may fly under the radar because of how little it directly relates to what happens on the field, but his role as chief of staff puts him in charge of all the other things like travel arrangements both during the season and for recruiting purposes, day-to-day operations, academic situations, and more.

Here's what Justin Fuente and Kevin Cristello had to say on the news (via VT Press Release).

“Kevin (Cristello) possesses a wealth of experience working as a football administrator and operations director,” Justin Fuente said. “Getting the right person in this role is very important for the success of our program and our student-athletes. Kevin knows the level of detail and organization it takes to keep the many aspects of a program running smoothly. I also appreciate the fact that he’s played and coached the game and understands what our players, coaches and support staff need on a daily basis. Kevin is someone we’ll lean on heavily as we continue striving to improve our football program.”

“On behalf of my family, we’re thrilled to be joining Coach Fuente and the program at Virginia Tech,” Cristello said. “Growing up as a player and a coach in Kentucky, Virginia Tech was always one of those programs I admired and respected for how they handled their business on and off the field. The chance to work for a program with such a rich history and tradition and to be able to raise our sons in Blacksburg is an opportunity I appreciate very much. Go Hokies!”