Hall of Famer Willie Jeffries to Guide Medal of Honor Bowl’s American Team in Nationally Televised Game on NBC Sports at 2:30 PM ET Today

AMERICAN TEAM ROSTER

NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- The final day of practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl concluded Friday at Johnson Hagood Stadium with both teams doing a final walk-through before Saturday’s game that kicks off at 2:30 pm. The players were on the field in their Medal of Honor Bowl sweats, going through their responsibilities one last time.

Special teams appeared to be the focus of the American team’s practice Friday with coaches making sure each player knew their responsibilities, and if they went down who the backup was. Friday’s final tune-up had the American team coaches feeling good.

At the end of practice Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jeffries told his players, “You guys have worked hard at practice this week. I am confident you are ready for tomorrow.”

South Carolina State University’s famed “Marching 101” Band will perform during halftime.

The National team, under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, took a different approach to their practice. While the National team was also in their sweats at the walk-through, they were working on refining their defensive and offensive plays. Coach Gailey wanted to make sure that his guys make the most of their opportunity.

“Tomorrow’s game film will be sent everywhere,” he said. “All NFL teams and the entire Canadian league. We will try to get everyone on the field, so when you are on the field, show who you are and what you can do.”

Both teams will definitely be ready for Saturday’s game, and everyone is focused on the goal of making the NFL. The question now is who will shine the most?

The Medal of Honor Bowl is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disabled veterans and wounded warriors.

Willie Jeffries, a native of Union, South Carolina, earned his Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a Master's degree in guidance and counseling from South Carolina State University. Further studies were also completed at Indiana University.

Popular Former South Carolina State Head Coach Returns to Lowcountry to Coach

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- Hall of Fame coach Willie Jeffries, the former South Carolina State, Wichita State and Howard head coach, will guide the American Team for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be played on January 10, 2015, at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium.

“The Medal of Honor Bowl is privileged to have Hall of Famer and living legend Willie Jeffries coach the American Team,” said Medal of Honor Bowl Chairman Tom McQueeney. “Coach Jeffries has demonstrated throughout an amazing career his passion for the game and his abilities on the sideline. His team will certainly enjoy playing for him. His engaging personality will make every player and NFL scout feel special as part of our game.”

Jeffries, a native South Carolinian, replaces new Rutgers University Offensive Coordinator Ralph Friedgen, who guided the American Team in the Bowl’s inaugural year in 2014 to a 20-3 victory. Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey was previously announced as returning to guide the National Team.

In his 29-year coaching career, Jeffries compiled a 179-132-6 record. He coached for 19 years at his alma mater, South Carolina State University, another five years at Wichita State and five years at Howard University. Jeffries is the winningest coach in the 107-year history of SCSU and in the history of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Jeffries grew up in Union, SC, and started his coaching career in 1960 as an assistant at Barr Street High in Lancaster. He followed at Granard High in Gaffney, where he went 64-8-2 in seven seasons.

His record during his two stints with South Carolina State (1973-78 and 1989-01), include three Black National Championships, seven MEAC championships, several post-season appearances in the Division I-AA playoffs and the Heritage Bowl. He received numerous coaching awards and produced many future NFL players to include Harry Carson, Donnie Shell, Robert Porcher, Orlando Brown, Jumpy Geathers, Chartric Darby, Dexter Clinkscale, David Norman and Anthony Cook.

In 2010, Jeffries was named Head Football Coach Emeritus by the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees. In that role, he serves as a liaison between the university, its alumni and other constituents and also helps market the university.

When Jeffries took over Wichita State in 1979, he became the first African-American to coach a Division I-A University. He is the only man to coach against both Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University and Paul “Bear” Bryant of the University of Alabama.

Coach Jeffries has been recognized with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the state. He also was presented with the Order of the Silver Crescent, which is awarded to those who make community or professional accomplishments of local significance.

A proud member of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, Coach Jeffries was also inducted into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Coach Willie Jeffries (Year-by-Year as Head Coach)
1973-78 South Carolina State
1979-83 Wichita State
1984-88 Howard
1989-01 South Carolina State