By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter
Southern coach Pete Richardson on Wednesday used his first news luncheon of the season to make opening statements concerning his contract status as well as the attrition of players, mostly because of academics, in his program.
“It is my intention to fulfill my contractual obligation to Southern University, which ends 12-31-07,” Richardson said. “My top priority at this time is to get our team ready to meet (Florida A&M) in Birmingham (Ala.).
“It’s going to be a challenge for our football team, because of the attrition of certain athletes. Let me speak on that, starting off with. I’m in the process of meeting with some people so this won’t happen again for Southern University.
“We’re trying to get a program in place to help our student-athletes. &hellip I’ve also had the opportunity to have some conversations with the administration dealing with the football program. I think I’m optimistic some positive changes can be made.”
Southern has had two straight losing seasons and begins the third and final season of Richardson’s contract when the Jaguars, 5-6 last season, play Florida A&M, 7-4 last season, at 2 p.m. Saturday in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Legion Field in Birmingham.
SU officials have said the school will review Richardson’s status after the season.
Richardson, the second-most successful coach in school history, said he wants to continue to coach but he also contended his record speaks for itself, that one season wasn’t needed to prove he could be a successful coach.
“I don’t want (the contract situation) to distract our football team. &hellip I don’t want to put that pressure on my football team, deciding on my future,” Richardson said. “I don’t want to do that.”
Richardson refused to discuss his contract status, or any possible negotiations or scenarios Wednesday.
“I’m not going to make any comment on those situations,” Richardson said. “We’ve had some talks and I’m going to leave it at that.”
The Jaguars have already lost at least 15 players since spring practice. While two are because of injuries which happened in spring practice, the majority of that attrition are players who are not qualified academically.
Plus, the status of two players expected to make an impact this season — starting center Ramon Chinyoung, a sophomore, and tailback Kendrick Smith, a transfer — is uncertain. Though the two have practiced this week, if they are not clear, they may not be on the bus when the Jaguars leave this afternoon.
“The concern I have, in 2007, first of all is the depth of our football team,” Richardson said. “We’re going to be thin at certain areas.”
This season’s attrition echoes that of 2005, when the Jaguars lost more than two dozen players for a variety of reasons from the end of spring practice until the conclusion of the season.
Southern, coming off consecutive runs to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, went 4-5 that season. Based on the youth forced into play in 2005, there was a sense the program was building toward progress last season, but the Jaguars were hindered by injuries and depth issues.
Now, SU is dealing with a second round of attrition that could potentially sap any growth.
The losses are most felt along the offensive and defensive lines.
Southern signed five offensive linemen, but four of those are currently ineligible (although the NCAA Clearinghouse has yet to render a decision on guard Brian Bridges).
“We had some individuals who are no longer with us,” Richardson said. “I’m concerned about them. I want them to feel our concern is for them to get back in school. A lot of them are back in school. I don’t think that will be an issue.”
In response to the high number of academically ineligible players and the school’s NCAA Academic Progress Rate struggles, SU Interim Chancellor Margaret Ambrose and Athletic Director Greg LaFleur both have said the school is planning on establishing an academic support center for student-athletes in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
In an orientation meeting with student-athletes Thursday at the Clark Center, Ambrose told them, “We’re going to find some money — and you know we’re broke.”
Southern, like many historically black universities, recruits high-risk students.
“When you look at the situation of our recruiting area, down in Louisiana, Mississippi and, of course, Texas is a little better, we’re struggling academically in certain areas, especially with the math and biology,” Richardson said. “More than that, it’s the choices some of the players make. Some of them are not realistic about majors. That’s really killing us right there. Also part is our academic support. The main issue is the students themselves. They have to be the ones who get to the classes and do the required work.”
Ambrose also stressed personal responsibility Thursday.
“All that is going to do no good if you don’t show up,” she told them of the school’s efforts. “You have to care for yourself. You have to realize not the only reason you came is to just play your sport.”
No comments:
Post a Comment