Christrian Hairston joined the WSSU football staff in the spring of 2026 as the offensive line coach.
Hairston brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to Winston-Salem State University, with a football background that spans the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
A 2006 graduate of Carver High School, Hairston played under legendary coach Keith Wilkes and earned numerous accolades, including All-Conference honors, North Carolina First Team All-State recognition, and selection to the 2005–06 North Carolina Shrine Bowl.
Hairston continued his standout career at Clemson University, where he was a four-year letterman and team captain (2006–2010). He started 36 collegiate games and capped his college career with First Team All-ACC honors in 2011, along with an invitation to the Collegiate East/West Shrine Bowl and participation in the 2011 NFL Combine.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Hairston enjoyed a successful seven-year NFL career, playing four seasons with Buffalo and three seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He started 31 NFL games, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of the sport.
Following his professional playing career, Hairston transitioned into coaching, spending three seasons at Rocky Mount High School, where he served as Head JV Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Running Backs Coach, and Offensive Line Coach. His diverse coaching background and professional insight allow him to mentor and develop student-athletes both on and off the field.
