Kevin Cristello joined the Hokies as Assistant Athletics Director – Chief of Staff & Football Operations in December of 2019. Cristello comes to Virginia Tech from Coastal Carolina where he spent the 2019 season as Chief of Staff/Director of Football Operations. He began his tenure with the Chanticleers as Director of Football Administration/Recruiting in 2018.
Cristello previously served as Assistant Director of Football Operations at Nebraska (2017) and Director of Football Operations at Eastern Kentucky (2011-16). A collegiate defensive end at Morehead State (2001-05), he served as graduate assistant at his alma mater (2006-07) before serving in a number of roles at Kentucky Christian University beginning in 2008. That tenure concluded with a stint as interim head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2010. He also served as defensive line coach, video coordinator and academic coordinator during his time at Kentucky Christian.
“Kevin possesses a wealth of experience working as a football administrator and operations director,” head coach 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.”
Cristello possesses a strong background in coordinating the myriad of logistics associated with the day-to-day operations of a football program. Team travel, recruiting operations, budgeting, academic monitoring and summer camp coordination are among the many areas Cristello owns experience, in addition to coordinating calendars and schedules with the coaching and support staffs.
He earned a master’s degree in adult and higher education/sports management from Morehead State, as well as a bachelor’s degree in health promotion with a minor in coaching. As a defensive end at Morehead State he served as a team captain as a senior, earning All-Pioneer League honors. In 33 career games for the Eagles, he registered 121 tackles (64 solo), 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 11 passes defensed.
Cristello and his wife, Erin, are parents of sons Kameron and Chandler.
Cristello previously served as Assistant Director of Football Operations at Nebraska (2017) and Director of Football Operations at Eastern Kentucky (2011-16). A collegiate defensive end at Morehead State (2001-05), he served as graduate assistant at his alma mater (2006-07) before serving in a number of roles at Kentucky Christian University beginning in 2008. That tenure concluded with a stint as interim head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2010. He also served as defensive line coach, video coordinator and academic coordinator during his time at Kentucky Christian.
“Kevin possesses a wealth of experience working as a football administrator and operations director,” head coach 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.”
Cristello possesses a strong background in coordinating the myriad of logistics associated with the day-to-day operations of a football program. Team travel, recruiting operations, budgeting, academic monitoring and summer camp coordination are among the many areas Cristello owns experience, in addition to coordinating calendars and schedules with the coaching and support staffs.
He earned a master’s degree in adult and higher education/sports management from Morehead State, as well as a bachelor’s degree in health promotion with a minor in coaching. As a defensive end at Morehead State he served as a team captain as a senior, earning All-Pioneer League honors. In 33 career games for the Eagles, he registered 121 tackles (64 solo), 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 11 passes defensed.
Cristello and his wife, Erin, are parents of sons Kameron and Chandler.