Rachel Sharpe was hired as the Assistant Athletic Director for Medical Services in October of 2024. Her role includes serving as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Coastal Football program, leading our team of Athletic Trainers and fulfilling necessary duties as the university’s Athletic Health Care Administrator.
Immediately before coming to Coastal, Rachel spent two years in professional spring football as the Assistant Director of Athletic Training for the United Football League and Head Athletic Trainer for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. During this time, she helped with the administration of sports medicine services across the league, including injured reserve player transfer and rehabilitation, policy and procedure creation and implementation, and worker’s compensation claim filing and resolution.
For the prior thirteen years, except for a short stint with the Alliance of American Football in 2019, Rachel was a member of the athletic training staff at the University of South Carolina. Working primarily with the Gamecock Football program, she assisted with all facets of student-athlete health and wellbeing. Beginning as a graduate assistant Athletic Trainer, she took on more responsibilities over the years, initially being promoted to Assistant Athletic Trainer and eventually Rehabilitation Coordinator, a role she filled for two years before leaving to gain additional leadership experience. As Rehab Coordinator, Rachel oversaw, programmed and implemented return to play programs for injured football student-athletes – especially those with season ending injuries.
Professionally, Rachel is extra passionate about treating foot injuries, learning more about physical strategies to combat stress affecting athlete’s ability to heal and mentoring a new generation of Athletic Trainers. Personally, she enjoys staying connected to her family, attempting to meet her yearly reading goal and being the best dog mom ever to Drake.
Originally from Jefferson City, TN, Rachel is credentialed in athletic training by the Board of Certification and licensed by the State of South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. She holds Bachelors (Samford University, 2008) and Masters Degrees (University of South Carolina, 2011) in Athletic Training and also has training in Graston, IV Therapy (OrthoCarolina), Dry Needling (IDN), Gait Assessment (Gait Happens) and Postural Respiration (PRI).
