Mike Compton is in his eighth season at UVA Wise. Serving as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach, Compton has seen a trio of offensive linemen earn all-conference accolades during his tenure with the program.
Recently inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame, the former NFL offensive lineman has overseen an offensive line that rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. Additionally, the offensive line surrendered just 28 sacks despite the team attempting a program-record 445 pass attempts in 2022.
In the COVID shortened spring 2021 season, the team rushed for more than 100 yards in two of their three games, including a 134-yard rushing performance at Limestone. On passing plays, UVA Wise surrendered just five sacks on 160 attempts to aid an offense that passed for 1,070 yards in the abbreviated season.
In 2018, UVA Wise gained 1,219 yards on the ground. It marked the third consecutive season that UVa-Wise had rushed for least 1,200 yards. Additionally, the unit improved its ability to protect the quarterback; in 2018, opponents posted 29 sacks a year after surrendering 39 sacks.
In 2017, Will White earned All-MEC Honorable Mention on the offensive line as the Cavaliers rushed for 17 touchdowns, the team's highest total since becoming a NCAA Division II member.
In his first season, the offensive line was part of an offense that rushed for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 1,233 yards marked a 466-yard improvement from 2015.
Compton came to the College after spending the 2015 season at Concord University.
Prior to working at Concord, Compton spent two seasons each at Fairmont State and Bluefield College directing the offensive line.
A Southwest Virginia native, he spent three seasons as the head coach at Patrick Henry High School in Glade Springs. He started his coaching career at Tazewell High School where he worked from 2006-08 as an assistant coach on the offensive and defensive lines.
Compton was a standout offensive lineman at West Virginia University from 1989-92. He was a three-year starter at center and was a consensus All-America selection (United Press International, Kodak, Walter Camp, Playboy, Football News) as a senior in 1992. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the Blue-Gray and Kodak Hula Bowl and was given the NCAA's Top 6 Award. He was a two-time All-BIG EAST selection and was also recognized for his academic excellence as a two-time first-team GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree. Compton was given the Ira E. Rogers Award in 1991 and 1992, and was named the "Red" Brown Cup Award as the top male athlete at WVU in 1992. He was inducted into the WVU Hall of Fame in 2005.
Compton was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (68th overall pick) in 1993. He spent his first eight seasons with the Lions, which included blocking for Barry Sanders during his 2,053-yard rushing season in 1997. He then spent three seasons with the New England Patriots from 2001-04 and was a member of two Super Bowl winning teams in 2001 and 2003. He finished his 12-year NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005.
Compton is the father of three children, Jessica, Josh and Sarah, and grandfather to one grandson, Levi. Compton is married to Letonya Altizer-Compton.
