Alcorn State announces White as Interim AD, football staff taking shape

LORMAN, Mississippi – Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II has named Dwayne White as interim director of Intercollegiate Athletics pending the completion of a formal search.

White is a 1990 alumnus of Alcorn who played seven National Football League seasons from 1990-1996 for the New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams where he earned the nickname “The Road Grader”. White holds a B.S. in political science and a M.S. in athletic administration. AD White will begin on June 11, 2012.

President Brown stated in the transition meeting, “Alcorn must be committed to knowledge and character at every level of the campus. The heightened focus on campus athletics and corollary affairs require us to have unit heads with the experience and gravitas to serve our students and stakeholders with excellence. Our recent hires in men's basketball and football warrant us having an athletic administration equivalent to the front office of any professional sports team.”

Additionally, President Brown informed the Cabinet that he received an update on football staffing from Alcorn's new head football coach. Head Coach Jay Hopson confirmed the hiring of Fred McNair of Collins High School in Mississippi as assistant head coach and passing game coordinator, as well as Willie Simmons from Middle Tennessee State University as offensive coordinator.

Coach Hopson has also hired Charles Gamble from the University of Cincinnati who will join Braves Football as head of running backs/tight ends, and Ralph Street of Air Force who will join the defense. Rounding out Hopson's early hires is Mark McHale, the 30-plus year coaching veteran who worked with Bobby Bowden at Florida State, as Alcorn's offensive line coordinator.

President Brown said, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. When the sun fully rises on Alcorn football, the Braves will all be wearing shades.”

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NOTE:  Patric Simon, the previous athletics director for Alcorn State, tendered his resignation after two months on the job for personal reasons.  The resignation was reported on June 4, 2012, and his name was removed from the Braves athletics website today.    No further information has been released by ASU on this matter.  TRANSLATION: Mr. Simon has another job in the making...