VSU names Justin Harper Interim Head Football Coach

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Virginia State University (VSU) has named Justin Harper as Interim Head Football Coach. Harper replaces Byron Thweatt, who resigned to accept a position on the James Madison University coaching staff. VSU also announced its search for a permanent head coach.

Harper joined the Trojans' staff in 2015 as wide receivers coach. Before coming to VSU, Harper coached wide receivers and special teams at Lenoir-Rhyne University. During his tenure, Lenoir-Rhyne played in the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

Harper played collegiately at Virginia Tech, where he totaled 83 receptions for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. In Harper's four years, Virginia Tech won ACC championships in 2004 and 2007 and played in the conference title game in 2005. In those four years, Virginia Tech won a school-record 42 games and finished in the Top 10 three times.

In 2008, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Harper in the seventh round. He played three season with the Ravens and also for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League.

In announcing Harper's appointment and coaching search, VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis expressed appreciation for Thweatt's service. "I want to wish Byron the best in his new endeavor at James Madison University."

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS