Albany State has stars to replace on defense

ALBANY, Georgia  -- Albany State’s football team will take the practice field next month with several goals in mind.

First, they’d like to win the SIAC again. The 2013 Rams did just that with five straight victories and a 17-14 win over Miles College in the conference championship game. But because they started 1-4, they missed the Division II playoffs.

Getting past the SIAC and into the national playoffs will be difficult. Even though they return quarterback Frank Rivers, there are holes to fill on both sides of the ball. On defense, the Rams are now without star safety Dexter Moody.

“The name of the game at Albany State is defense,” head coach Mike White said at SIAC’s media day. “We’ve got a lot of guys that we’ve got to replace on that side of the football.”

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Walker Departs ECSU After 12 Seasons For Grambling State

After a thirteen seasons at ECSU,
Shawn Walker has resigned as
 the men's basketball coach to
assume the head coach position
at Grambling State

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina --  Elizabeth City State University basketball coach Shawn Walker has announced his resignation to accept the head coach position at Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana).

"Our department and university family wishes Coach Walker the very best as he transitions to Division I Basketball", states ECSU Athletic Director J. Lin Dawson. We appreciated his commitment to ECSU and the legacy he built. He is a solid individual who understands that the platform of Athletics provides a tremendous avenue to impact the community, and in particularly, the youth. 

Shawn will be a major asset to Grambling. He brings a successful coaching résumé, vision, stability, and a strong work ethic that is contagious.

" A search for a new basketball coach is underway and will be announced in the coming weeks.

"With student-athletes returning to campus in a couple of weeks, we must put this process on speed- dial. Our student-athletes deserve a well-rounded coach that is the right fit. Emotions fly high when a head coach leaves a program, says Dawson. "Stability is a premium factor is deciding the next leader."

Walker compiled a 196-172 record in thirteen seasons at Elizabeth City State. He coached the Lady Vikings during the 2001-2002 season and the following year took over the men's program where his teams made three trips to the CIAA title game capturing the title in 2007 ECSU's, first championship in 26 years. He was named CIAA Coach of the Year in 2008 and coached two CIAA Players of the Year Anthony Hilliard (2007, 2008) and Angelo Sharpless (2012).

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Holmes poise to try two Florida A&M QB scenario

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- While anyone of the four FAMU quarterbacks that begin competing in pre-season camp could emerge as starter, coach Earl Holmes apparently is willing to try a two-quarterback scenario if that's what it comes down to.

"I don't rule anything out as far as a two-quarterback system," Holmes said. "I'm a firm believer that the best guy will step up. That's between (Damien) Fleming, Carson Royal, as well as Shazzon Mumphrey and Brian Blackburn."

Fleming, the Rattlers' starter for the past two seasons, ended last year on the sidelines with a foot injury. He missed the entire spring while recovering after surger

During his absence, Royal started the last two games. He followed that by leading the offense in the Orange and Green game, showing flashes of being a leader.

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WSSU's Chase Powell To Transfer To Hampton

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams have announced that wide receiver/kick returner, Chase Powell, is leaving the program to transfer to Hampton University.

Powell (So, 5-8, 175, Upper Marlboro, MD/Wide HS), had 64 pass receptions for 770 and seven touchdowns in 2013, all team highs for the Rams. He also led WSSU in kickoff returns with 13 returns for 231 yards (17.8 avg). Powell was the 2013 CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, as well as making the all-rookie team in the CIAA as a kick returner. He was named 2014 Preseason All-CIAA at wide receiver last week at the CIAA Football Media Day.

"I am very happy for him (Powell) that he's a decision maker in his life", says WSSU first year head coach Kienus Boulware. "He knows what he wants and is doing what's best for himself and his family. When you bring the family situation into the picture, then my prayers go out to him. We wish him nothing but the best", added Boulware.

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Coaches expecting a tough battle in this year’s annual rivalry game

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  — S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough and Benedict’s coach James Woody had a chance to talk a little football at the annual Palmetto Capital City Classic’s Kick-off Press Conference Tuesday at the Columbia Convention Center.

Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jeffries, executive director of PCCC, introduced the participating teams and their respective athletic directors and coaches to the media and the public.

Besides the usual jokes and jabs, both coaches took the time to take a more serious approach to the August 30, season opener between the Tigers and Bulldogs at Charles W. Johnson Stadium.

“It will be a challenge for us,” Woody said. “It’s going to take a great football game to beat those guys, but I feel real good about our chances. If we slow the game down, capitalize on some mistakes, and hopefully we can pull a victory out.”

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Mack, NCCU not backing down from challenge

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Jerry Mack might be a new kid on the block, but he’s not backing down from anyone. Neither is his team.

That was the message Mack relayed last Friday at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football Media Luncheon in Norfolk, Va.

N.C. Central was picked to finish eighth in the conference, a ranking that perturbed Mack, one of four new coaches in the MEAC. Bethune-Cookman was picked to win its third straight conference title.

“We are second to no one and will not back down to anyone,” the NCCU coach said. “We want to be the best in the conference and one of the top FCS teams in the country. And there is only one way to do that, and that’s the right way.”

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FAMU looking for redemption despite tough schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- His statement was cliché, but it is how Earl Holmes choses to explain whether this will be a season of redemption for his FAMU football team.

"Put it this way," Holmes said, as the countdown begins to the start of practice next week. "Time will tell what's at stake as far as what the critics might say. We are going to take it one game at a time."

Remember, the Rattlers finished Holmes' first season as a head coach with a 3-9 record. That put Holmes, just in his second season as a head coach, under the gun.

But he seems to understand why even some of the diehards seem a little impatient.

"As far as redeeming, I feel it's time for us to make a statement," Holmes said." But there are a lot of variables; injury bug and all that stuff.

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