CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College Director of Athletics Dr. William Carlton, has named Doug Malone as the interim head football coach, beginning Thursday.

"Coach Malone brings a wealth of experience in college football and is expected to be a strong and able leader in this time of transition," Carlton said.

Malone, a Greeneville native, ran the offensive line during the 2008 season. With a young line, Malone's group still managed to pave the way for 1,141 net yards during the 4-8 campaign.

"It's an exciting time to be named the interim head coach and I hope I can continue to move forward with the program," Malone said. "I hope I can instill in the program what I've learned throughout my years of coaching. We are going to pick ourselves up and move forward. I appreciate the opportunity PC has given me and want to thank Bobby Bentley for his friendship and the work he has done with the team and this program.

Malone spent one year at Western Carolina after serving at Tennessee Tech in a variety of roles. He acted as the offensive coordinator, interim head coach and assistant athletic director.

Malone guided the Golden Eagles to back-to-back record-setting seasons in 2001 and 2002. During the 2002 campaign, the offensive unit became the first squad in school history to record a 2,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher.

As the acting head coach at Tennessee Tech in 2006, the team posted a 4-4 record in a tough Ohio Valley Conference. The highlight of the season came during the regular-season finale when the team rallied from a 23-point deficit on the road in the third quarter to upend Southeast Missouri State.

Malone began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas-El Paso, where he worked extensively with the offensive line. After a stint as the assistant coach at California State University in Northridge, Malone became an assistant coach at former South Atlantic Conference rival Wingate University for eight seasons before becoming the head coach for five years.

In Malone's second season, the Bulldogs knocked off Division II powerhouse Carson-Newman. He guided Wingate to a then-school record in wins by posting an 8-3 mark in 1997.

Malone holds a bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Carson-Newman College and a master's degree in sports sciences from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.

Malone replaces former head coach Bobby Bentley, who announced his resignation this week in order to become the district athletic director for Spartanburg County School District 5.

"I want to personally wish Coach Bobby Bentley all the best as he takes on this new challenge and to thank him for his contributions to PC," Carlton said. "He has laid a solid foundation in our transition to Division I and he has been a true Blue Hose alumnus."