The four finalists are Mark James, Alvin Parker, Herbert Parham and Orlando Mitjan.
MARK JAMES
Mark James has spent the last two seasons at Virginia Union University as coach of the defensive line and has four season overall at the collegiate level.
James has made several coaching stops along his way to Virginia Union. He was a Head Coach for nine years at two major high schools in south Florida. James was able to build powerhouse programs that gained national recognition for producing some of the top division I prospects and several NFL players.
In his tenure he has worked with a number of successful coaches and future and present NFL players. His list of NFL players coached includes Patrick Simms, Louis Holmes, Stanley Mcglover, Leonard Hankerson, Major Harris, Hanik Milligan, Daryl Mcglover and Super bowl winning Josh Bynes.
He started his coaching career as a high school defensive assistant at Coconut Creek in 1997. In 1998, James made the decision to attend Virginia Union University after transferring from University of Louisville. Upon graduation from Virginia Union University in 2000, he returned back to the south Florida area to return to his coaching pathway.
James was the Head coach at Dillard High in 2004-2005. From 2005-2011 he was the Head coach at Boyd Anderson where James won three district championships and lead the team to become the school's all-time winningest football coach. James has also had short stints at Norfolk State University (Linebackers) and St. Paul's College in 2011(Offensive Coordinator). His thumb print in south Florida athletics is that he is known for placing the most players in college in an eight-year period than any other program in the state of Florida. James was a defensive lineman at University of Louisville from 1990-1993 and Virginia Union University from 1998-2000.
He earned a degree in history from VUU in 2000. James was named the National VUU Alumni of the Year in 2007. He earned his Masters degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University and is scheduled to earn his Ph.D in higher education administration in June of 2014.
James is married to Adia Middleton-James (Former two-sport athlete at VUU '99). He and his wife Adia have three children, Dane, Malik, and Mark Jr.
ALVIN PARKER
Under his guidance, the Vikings have produced an offense that has average more than 30ppg over the last five seasons. During this time the Vikings are a whopping 35-7 in conference play. During the 2011 season the Vikings were one of ten teams who rushed for 36 Touchdowns or more on the season. The Vikings potent rushing attack was noted with the recognition of running back Daronte McNeil being selected as the conference player of the year.
In 2010 the Vikings Offense again took up more space in the record books when Sophomore Running Back Daronte McNeil became ECSU's single season rushing leader with 1321 yards. In addition there were three ECSU Runners who averaged more than five yards per carry. McNeil finished the season seventh in the nation amongst rushers. The "Multiple Attack" offense averaged 194ypg rushing on the way to setting the school record. The Viking Offense finished 2nd in pass completion percentage, 2nd in total offense, 2nd in rushing offense and 1st in sacks against. Six offensive players receive post-season honors.
In 2009 the offense finish 15th in the nation in scoring offense (35ppg), and rush for nearly 30 TD's which was amongst tops in the conference. Six members of the Vikings offense received post season honors, as the Vikings tied for 1st in the CIAA Eastern Division.
In 2008, ECSU average 32ppg while winning the CIAA Eastern Division title. Senior QB Curtis Rich led the conference in all passing categories on his way to being named 2008 Offensive Player of the Year. WR Dexter Manley led the conference in all major receiving categories and was also listed in the top 5 nationally.
Parker's 2006 Viking Offense finished second in scoring during the regular season and second in total offense on their way to the conference championship game. Behind Parker's leadership, the ECSU offense had a record breaking year in 2006, one in which saw 5 offensive players be recognized as 1st team all-conference.
Sophomore quarterback Curtis Rich had one of the best seasons for any Viking QB under Parker's guidance, he completed 52% of his passes and through 21 TD's to only 4 int's during the regular season. In 2006 Parker took an offense the featured 3 new starters on the Offensive line and propelled them into one of the top units in the country giving up only 11 sacks, that offensive line featured All-American Ronnie McClary. The Vikings Offense featured the leagues top reception leader in Marvin Jackson and the league's top scorer in Chris Carter. Both Jackson and Carter ranked in the top of all receiving categories.
A Native of Washington, D.C., Parker joined the staff of Coach Waverly Tillar in 2004 and immediately converted the Vikings offense into a "Multiple Set Offense". Success in running the multiple offense is nothing new for Parker. He came to ECSU after five seasons at Virginia Union University, where he served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach. While at Virginia Union University Parker was on the staff of Hall of Famer and the all time winningest coach in CIAA History Willard Bailey.
Parker spent five seasons at Virginia Union University, while at Virginia Union he was part of a staff that participated in the 2000, 2001, and 2003 CIAA Championship game. In the 5 years spent at Virginia Union the Panthers won 38-football games won 3 Eastern division titles, 1 CIAA title and participated in the 2001 Pioneer Bowl. Parker credits most of his football knowledge to Coach Bailey was also served as his Head Coach while Parker was a player at Virginia Union. "I have tons of respect for Coach Bailey he believed in me as a player and he also gave me my first coaching job so he also believed in me as a coach, I basically owe my entire coaching career to him".
During that time Parker coached 24 ALL-CIAA players, 4 All-Americans, and the CIAA's all time leading rusher and single season TD scorer Andre' Braxton. Braxton was named All CIAA 4 straight seasons and named the player of the year in the 2000 season. Braxton also won the 2000 Alonzo "Jake" Gaither Award for the top player in Black College football, this award is also known as the Black College Hiesman Trophy. Despite Losing Braxton, under the tutelage of Parker freshman running back Larry Edwards was recognized as first team ALL-CIAA, and the next season as a Streets and Smith pre-season All-American, in all of Parker's years at Virginia Union the Panther had a running back represented on the all conference first or second team. Parker has coached NFL players Pete Hunter (Seattle Seahawks), James Atkins (San Francisco 49er's) and Jerome Leslie (Philadelphia Eagles).
While attending Virginia Union University, Parker earned 4 varsity letters with the Panthers; he was the team captain of the 1997 and 1998 squad and was named offensive MVP in 1996 and 1998. Parker's name is still in the record book as 5th all time in single season TD scored. Parker still also holds the record for the longest TD in Gold Bowl History (79 yd TD reception).
Parker received his M.S. degree (2001) in Athletic Administration/ Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his B.A. degree from Virginia Union University in Mass Communications (1999). Parker has one son Alan Josiah Parker.
HERBERT PARHAM
Parham, a longtime member of the MSU coaching staff, has put together an attacking run-defense that has become recognized as one of the most formidable in the league.
Last season, MSU was ranked among the league leaders in sacks (24; No. 4 in the MEAC), ranked No. 4 in interceptions (14), and 5th in red zone defense. MSU cornerback Joe Rankin and linebacker Elandon Roberts were selected to the All-MEAC Second team. Rankin ranked T-1st with five interceptions, 11 pass deflections (T-4th), while Roberts recorded 107 tackles (No. 2 in the MEAC) and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the top FCS freshman.
During the 2011 season, the Bears recorded 26 sacks totaling a loss of 200 yards. In addition, MSU ranked T-6th in MEAC as one of the stiffest teams to score against in the Red Zone.
In 2010, the Bears ranked among the league leaders in interceptions (14; No. 3 in the MEAC), opponent 3rd down conversions (No. 2; 30.4%); turnover margin (27; T-No. 4) and accumulated 19 sacks for the season.
The Bears defense finished the 2009 season ranked in the top 5 in scoring defense (21.2/g), pass efficiency defense (115.3) and sacks (21). MSU was also the second-best red-zone defense in the league. Parham's defense produced four All-conference players, led by MEAC Defensive Player of the Year George Howard (LB). Howard and Justin Lawrence (DL) were also SBN Black College All-American selections.
As defensive line coach in 2008, MSU's D-line combined for 41 tackles for loss and recorded 12.5 of the team's 32 sacks. The Bears led the nation in total defense, giving up an average of just 212 yards per game, and no team gained more than 350 yards of offense against the Bears in the last two seasons. Morgan State concluded the season ranked 2nd in the nation in pass defense and 13th in rush defense.
In 2007, MSU's defensive line combined for 43.5 tackles for loss and recorded 22.5 of the team's league-best 36 sacks. The Bears finished as the league's No. 1 total defense (267.0/g; ranked No. 2 in the FCS) and also completed the season ranked No. 1 in the MEAC against the run (130.9). Defensive end Justin "J.R." Lawrence earned All-MEAC First Team honors after collecting 47 tackles and a league-best 17 tackles for loss to help the Bears become the Football Championship Series' No. 1 ranked total defense.
In addition the success of the defensive line unit, defensive end/linebacker Bryan Wilson earned first-team All-MEAC honors and was selected as a free agent by the Washington Redskins.
Under Parham's watch in 2006, MSU's D-line ranked 3rd in the MEAC with 30 sacks, while the defense led the conference in rushing defense by surrendering just 117 yards per contest. The Bears defense also recorded its first shutout victory against North Carolina A&T since 1974.
Prior to joining the Bears, Parham helped build Hampton's football program where he spent 10 years as the defensive line coach for the Pirates.
Parham is a native of Dinwiddie, VA. He was an All-Conference CIAA defensive lineman and obtained his B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice at Virginia Union University. Following his graduation, Parham proceeded to coach the defensive line for his alma mater.
A year later, Parham relocated to Hampton University, where he earned his master's degree in Agency Counseling, in addition to coaching the Pirate's defensive line.
Throughout his coaching career Parham's defensive line unit had an all-conference player for ten (10) seasons at Hampton and eight of the past nine years at Morgan State. His players have also gone to "the next level". He has coached three (3) NFL draft picks and eleven (11) free agents.
Professionally, Herbert is a 19-year member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and annually attends the AFCA Professional Series. He is currently serving on the Minority Issues Committee. He has also spoken at countless football clinics as well as organizing and directing the annual "Joe Taylor Football Camp" and "Don Hill Football Camp".
Herbert and his wife MiVida, have a son, Herbert II (13), and they reside in Abingdon, MD.
ORLANDO MITJANS, JR.
Since arriving in Statesboro, he has already make an impact on the Eagles' cornerbacks by helping mold Laron Scott, a free agent signee of the New Orleans Saints in 2012, into a two-time All-American and Southern Conference selection. Scott finished his career with nine career interceptions and set a single-season record in 2010 with six picks.
Scott's 2010 record combined with the rest of the secondary helped formed the best Georgia Southern pass defense since 2001, when they ranked second in the FCS in 2010. The Eagles finished that season 11th in the nation under the tutelage of Mitjans.
The coaching veteran came to Georgia Southern from Tennessee State where he served as secondary coach. In 2009, the Tigers ranked as the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) leader in pass defense and finished second in the OVC in total defense. Former Tiger Anthony Levine debuted with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 after two seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Mitjans returned to Tennessee State after four years with other programs, including a year at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., where he was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. The opportunity at Montgomery Bell Academy cut short his stay at Florida A&M where he was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach during spring ball. Secondary coach at Eastern Kentucky from March of 2006 through February 2008, Mitjans helped mold a defense that produced an All-American and five All-Conference players. His secondary corps had 24 interceptions in 2007, and was the top-ranked pass defense in the OVC in 2007. The Colonels went on to win the OVC championship that year and three of his four starters were named to the OVC All-Conference team, including Derrick Huff. Huff was selected as the league's defensive player of the year and earned first-team All-America honors.
In his first stop at Tennessee State, Mitjans was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with the Tigers in 2005. He coached the secondary where Tennessee State led the OVC in pass defense and total defense that season. At Towson University Mitjans started as the Tigers running backs coach in 1999. He took over the secondary in 2001, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2004. Mitjans coached two All-Conference tailbacks, Noah Read, who led the Patriot League in rushing, and Jason Corle, the Tigers all-time leading rusher, then helped produce two All-Conference secondary players. In 2002, five of his defensive players earned all-league honors.
With a league-leading 21 interceptions in 2003, the Towson secondary set a school record with four returned for touchdowns. The season before, one of Mitjan's senior safeties finished the 2002 season ranked ninth nationally in interceptions.
Mitjans served as secondary coach at Kent State University (1994) and at C.W. Post College (1996) before accepting a similar position at Morgan State in January of 1997. As secondary coach, Mitjans helped his players record 28 takeaways and with five earning All-Conference honors. The following season Mitjans took the defensive coordinator's role and improved Morgan State's performance to a number-15 ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision. Three players he recruited went on to play professional football.
Following his playing career, Mitjans spent two seasons as a student assistant coach at Northeastern University. He landed his first full-time coaching job at Cheyney University when he coached the secondary and coordinated special teams.
Mitjans was selected to participate in the NFL's minority internship program and had the opportunity to work with secondary coaches and players from NFL teams in Kansas City (2001), St. Louis (1999, 2000) and New York Jets (1994). In 2006, he was chosen as one of 20 coaches nationwide to attend the NCAA Expert Coaching Academy to prepare individuals for head coaching roles.
Through his career, Mitjans has been responsible for the recruitment of several players who have gone to the NFL, including Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints (Towson), Antwan Molden of the Houston Texans (Eastern Kentucky), the Arizona Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers Cromartie (Tennessee State), Vishante Shiancoe of the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings (Morgan State), and Jim O'Neil (Towson) who is currently the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets. Former Tennessee State free safety Anthony Levine signed with the Green Bay Packers this past spring.
A safety on Lou Holtz's Razorback teams from 1978-80, Mitjans transferred to Northeastern and played for the Huskies for his final two years. He graduated from Northeastern in 1982 with a degree in leadership.
Mitjans and his wife, Claire, reside in Statesboro.
COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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