Alabama A&M Assistant Ben Blacknall Has Passed Away

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Alabama A&M family was saddened today when they learn that defensive line coach Benjamin Blacknall passed away.

Coach Blacknall had been a part of the Bulldog football coaching staff for six seasons and served as the recruiting coordinator. Blacknall spent four seasons as the head coach at Delaware State from 2000-2003.

He was no stranger to head coach Anthony Jones. Jones and Blacknall have shared numerous other coaching destinations. Blacknall’s coaching stops include North Carolina A&T (1972-76), South Carolina State (1977-78; 1989-98), Wichita State (1979-83), Howard (1984-88), and Morehouse (1999).

While the head coach at Delaware State, he led the Hornets to a 20-25 record before leaving coaching for the business world.  In 2000, he was named MEAC Coach of the Year.

“My condolences go out to his family, the team and the coaching staff,” said head coach Anthony Jones. “I lost a good friend today and the university lost a good man. His services at the university were greatly appreciated. He will be missed.”

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Alabama A&M: Football assistant Blacknall found dead

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones got more than he ever imagined when he decided to go to college football at Wichita State. Not only did he get a quality education, but he met a quality friend in Shockers assistant coach Ben Blacknall.

In fact, Jones and Blacknall became best friends and that relationship spanned more than three decades.

Unfortunately, that relationship ended Wednesday when Blacknall, a long-time diabetic, passed away due to a diabetic coma.

"I lost a good friend, the university lost a good coach and the world lost a good man," Jones said. "He's going to be missed."

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