Phil de Montmollin: Sports Information Director

BREVARD, N.C. – Brevard College Football Assistant Coach Randy Finley was promoted to United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant in a special ceremony held Friday at Ives-Lemel Family Field with the entire 2018 Tornados football team in attendance.

For the promotion, Finley chose to have the event on the practice field with the Brevard College student-athletes participating in the special occasion.  

"These student-athletes have been a huge part of my life," said Finley. "Brevard College gave me an opportunity and I wanted to share this opportunity with them."

The Brevard College Football team lined in a formation as Finley, a 16-year member of the military, was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant by retired United States Air Force Colonel John Bartus who served as the promoting officer in the ceremony.  United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Anthony Hernandez read the promotion, then Finley's nine-year old son Liam pinned his father with his new promotion.

"Coach Finley wanted the players present for the ceremony which shows how much he loves this football team and how much he appreciates what the players have done for him both in his coaching profession and in his personal life," said Head Football Coach Bill Khayat.  "In turn, the players felt such joy when they realized that they were hand-selected to be out there."

The ceremony came on the eve of the 243rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

"I am grateful for everybody that has helped me along the way," said Finley.  "I could not have done this without the support of my family, my son and the mentors in my life.  I would not be here if it wasn't for them.  I have had a lot of ups and downs in my life and if it wasn't for everybody else I wouldn't be here."

Finley came to Brevard College in August, 2018 as part of the Soldiers to Sidelines coaching program which connects service members with community youth programs.

Finley's military career began in September of 2001.  While sitting in his high school Junior ROTC class in Lecanto, Florida, Finley viewed the second plane hitting the World Trade Center.  It was at that precise moment that Finley was inspired to join the delayed entry program for the United States Marine Corps.  He was sent to Basic Training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and then graduated MCT (Marine Corps Combat Training) in December of 2002. 

He was later selected by the prestigious canine school in San Antonio, Texas where he became a canine handler working with German Shepherds, Czech Shepherds and Dutch Shepherds, primarily on the detection side.  Finley graduated at the top of his class and with numerous missions under his belt, ranging from base patrols to bomb threats in high schools as well as being part of a Presidential detail.

Finley joined the Walter Reed Medical Center Wounded Warrior regiment as a section leader in 2013 and rose to platoon commander overseeing medical treatment for wounded Marines as well as substance abuse treatment.

Beginning in 2015, he participated in the Soldiers to Sidelines Program, coaching at both Bishop O'Connell and Stafford high schools in Virginia where he helped promote 30 student-athletes to college rosters.

At Brevard College, Finley serves as Assistant Linebackers Coach working closely with Defensive Coordinator Kurt Gouveia.  In addition to his coaching, Finley is also pursuing a degree from Excelsior College.

Following this football season at Brevard College, Finley will return to his reserve unit in Quantico, Virginia.

Finley has applied a multitude of his experience as a member of the United States Marine Corps into the game of Football and as a coach for the Brevard Tornados.

"I have been teaching our student-athletes many of the lessons I've learned in the Marine Corps as well as showing them how to critically think and adapt when a plan is altered," said Finley.  "On the football field, you have a plan.  But if the plan is altered, the student-athletes have to critically think and adapt when adjustments are needed."

Finley has also brought a detailed-oriented approach to his coaching of the Brevard College student-athletes.

"In football, just like in the military, if you don't do what you are supposed to then somebody is going to get hurt or the play is going to fail," said Finley. "The little things turn into big things, so you have to treat every given task as critically important." 

On Friday, the Brevard College Football student-athletes who have been exposed to Finley's approach were able to participate in this latest milestone – a promotion to United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant.

To learn more about the Soldiers to Sidelines program, visit www.soldierstosidelines.org

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Photo Credit: Thomas Kennedy, '21