Now that he’s wrapped up his football career at Washington and Lee, alum Josh Breece is still at the intersection of education and athletics. He’s currently a high school counselor and assistant football coach.

Breece is a four-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honoree. During his years on campus, Breece spent his time with several campus organizations including the Burish Service program, Black Male Initiative, Student Association for Black Unity and the university’s football and track and field teams. 

Having led the Generals’ football team to two conference championships in 2017 and 2021, Breece secured several titles to his name, including the ODAC record for single season rushing yards, the school record for career rushing yards, and the 2017 ODAC Rookie of the Year Award.  

In 2017 and 2021, Breece added to that list of accolades when he was named a finalist for the Lanier Award, presented to the top player from the NCAA’s Division II, III, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics programs. 

Breece completed a degree in politics at Washington and Lee. However, he found a new passion his sophomore year after taking a foundational education course.

Breece completed his practicum hours through the Burish program at Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista, Va. He noticed several students with aspirations for higher education who didn’t have access.

“I never wanted students to limit themselves due to a lack of resources within the school,” he said.  

Staying true to his passion, Breece accepted a job with the Virginia College Advising Corps, a branch organization of AmeriCorps,. He currently works as a counselor at Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Va.  

 “My typical day to day routine involves mostly me meeting one-on-one with seniors to create a plan for after high school,” Breece said.  

His job also involves collaborative work with teachers to further inform their students of their options after high school. Breece coordinates numerous events to promote aspects of the college-going process like essay workshops, FASFA information sessions, and Virginia College Application Week. 

“The process can be overwhelming,” he said. “Some of these kids will accomplish amazing things, they just needed somebody to remind them.” 

With a long-term goal of pursuing educational law, Breece views this job as a steppingstone for greater change.  

“Education equity, policy, reform and access are all things I am sincerely passionate about,” Breece said. “The Virginia College Advising Corps was the perfect fit to where I can go to an ‘in-need’ school and work as a mentor, motivator, coach.”

Breece said part of his job is building relationships with teachers, administrators and counselors and identifying needs at Fauquier.

 “It’s growing my perspective of how policy affects them and what policy could be implemented to better educate and nurture children in public schools,” he said.

While his sights are set on improving the future of these schools, Breece’s passion for football remains. Outside his office, Breece is an assistant coach on the football and track teams and shares his knowledge of performance training with the school’s strength and conditioning coach.  

Breece’s coaches at Washington and Lee made a lasting impact on him through their support, leadership and trust in him as a student-athlete. 

“They showed me who I am deep down inside: someone who is truly dedicated and will do anything for their passion,” he said. “My coaches noticed and appreciated my work ethic to not only win on the field but do the right things off the field.” 

Breece strives to instill the same sense of grit and self-confidence in is players that his coaches found in him. 

While he’s found work in education, Breece continues to train and strengthen his abilities in case he gets the chance to play professional football. 

“I’m staying ready if the opportunity calls,” he said. “If there’s an opportunity that’s worth it, I’ll take the chance. It’s my passion and playing at the next level would open new doors for me.”