WSSU's Maynor named CIAA's top coach

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem raised some eyebrows when he said what was on his mind in July. He proclaimed that his Rams would finish the season undefeated, win the CIAA title and contend for the Division II national champion.

He's right on one count so far — the Rams went 10-0 in the regular season, an accomplishment that won Maynor the CIAA's coach-of-the-year award in voting by his peers. The announcement was made Friday afternoon at a banquet in Durham. Maynor can take care of the CIAA title today, if WSSU defeats Elizabeth City State.

Bill Hayes, WSSU's athletics director, said the thing that impresses him the most about Maynor — who is 18-2 in two seasons leading the Rams — has nothing to do with football.  "I didn't know he was as committed to his religion and what he believes and his trust in God," Hayes said. "I didn't know that about him, but it's real to him, and he practices what he preaches. A lot of people preach it but don't practice, but he's not that way."

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