Saint Paul's College Coach Bailey takes break

The legendary Coach Willard Bailey is show in a 2007 photo with Saint Paul's star player Craig Mangrum.






CIAA’s ‘winningest’ football mentor faces health challenges.

Coach Willard Bailey was hired to resurrect the Saint Paul’s College football program. Now, with that mission accomplished, the coach at the top of the CIAA’s all-time win list is taking a break to focus on his own health.

"I promised my family and the Lord that I would be the perfect patient," he told the Free Press, via cell phone, while undergoing tests last Thursday at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

“I have to get straight before I get back and get involved anywhere.”

The 71-year-old Suffolk native did not go into details about his medical condition, but noted “I don’t want anyone to panic - let’s just leave it there.” On Tuesday, he told the Free Press he’s still the head coach and that he expects to return to his active role as coach.



In response to a question, he said he has a contract as head coach fro the upcoming football season. Bailey’s replacement, former defensive coordinator Kevin Grisby, will carry the “interim” tag this season. The Tigers are to begin practice Aug. 4 in preparation for the Aug. 28 season opener at West Virginia Wesleyan.

Grisby, a former Bethune-Cookman standout who had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, has served under Bailey at Saint Paul’s and Virginia Union. “I still consider coach Bailey our coach,” Grisby said at the CIAA Kickoff Luncheon last Thursday at Virginia State. “Whenever something comes up, I’d like to think that he’s only a call away.”

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