Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head coach Mike Brizendine got to work with Kyle Renfro every day from 2010-2013 when he was the Hokies' goalkeeper. A few years later and the duo will have that same opportunity, as Renfro is set to rejoin the Hokies as a volunteer assistant coach, effective immediately. Renfro, a 2013 Tech graduate, was a first-team All-ACC selection his senior season after leading the conference in saves for the third straight year.
"We are delighted to bring Kyle back to campus," said coach Brizendine. "Kyle is a welcome addition to the staff, not only because of his professionalism and work ethic which are outstanding, but also because of the pride that I know he has in the goalkeeper position at Virginia Tech. He helped raise the bar here and is going to push our guys to lift it even higher and I can't wait to introduce him to the team this summer and get to work for this upcoming season."
Renfro ranks fourth all-time in Tech history in saves and shutouts, amassing 14 during his time in Blacksburg. While with the Hokies, he was also named to the league's All-Academic team three times.
The Brookville, Virginia native has spent time in the professional ranks playing for USL sides Charlotte Eagles and also the Charlotte Independence. Most recently, Renfro served as an assistant coach at Winthrop University for the 2017 season, where he helped groom the Eagles' keeper Kenneth Perkinson, who recorded 77 saves and three shutouts on the season.
"First, I'd like to thank Coach Brizendine and the staff for showing confidence in my ability to take over the goalkeeper union at Virginia Tech," Renfro said. "It's a privilege returning to the program that developed me as a player and a person. I'm eager for the opportunity to continue and build off of the success of this program."
With the Hokies, Renfro will work primarily with the goalkeeping corps, looking to build on the legacy of strong shot stoppers that began with Chase Harrison before him and was most recently continued by Ben Lundgaard.
Tech's three returning keepers are a young, yet talented bunch who are eager to earn their place in the side; Charles Filby, Mathjis Swaneveld and Hayden Kickbush.
The Hokies open up the 2018 campaign with two exhibitions in August, including an Aug. 18 date with Appalachian State before kicking off the regular season against Air Force in Harrisonburg, Virginia as part of the JMU Invitational.
Tech is seeking a third straight trip to the NCAA tournament for only the second time in program history.