Monday, September 17, 2012

Mitchell reassigned, Odums named interim coach

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Less than 24 hours following a devastating and demoralizing 6-0 loss to Mississippi Valley on ESPNU, Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell has been reassigned to other administrative duties within the athletics department, Southern athletics director Dr. William Broussard announced late Friday afternoon.

Defensive coordinator Dawson Odums, who is in his second year of the Jaguars coaching staff, willl assume the post of interim head coach for the duration of the 2012 season.

"After making a recommendation to [Chancellor James Llorens] and upon his acceptance of that recommendation, I spoke with head football coach Stump Mitchell late this afternoon and notified him that he will be reassigned to other administrative duties within the athletic department," said Broussard.

"I would like to personally thank coach Mitchell for his service and his commitment to Southern University athletics and wish him well in all of his future endeavors. I also urge our fans to continue to stand united with the staff and the student-athletes on the Jaguars football team."

Mitchell, in his third season at Southern, finished with a 6-18 overall record during his tenure but his successful navigation of the football program through NCAA Academic Progress Rate penalties emerged as one of his most notable accomplishments as head coach.

The former NFL player and assistant coach made his Southern coaching debut defeating Delaware State in a 37-31 comeback win in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge but finished 2-9 in 2010.

Last season, despite losing four games by a combined margin of 13 points, Southern entered the annual Bayou Classic with a shot to force a tie for first place but were upended 36-12. The Jaguars finished 4-7.

The search for Southern's next head coach will not commence until the conclusion of the 2012 season.

"It will give us some time to evaluate the coaching staff and take a closer look at what kind of progress we make for the rest of the season.

Odums and the Jaguars willl look to quickly regroup and refocus as Southern prepares to battle heated rival Jackson State on Saturday in Jackson, Miss. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

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