NSU Spartan Football Adds Faison as Co-Defensive Coordinator

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State University football coach Latrell Scott announced Friday the hiring of Andrew Faison as the Spartans' new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Faison joins the NSU staff after two seasons as associate head coach and linebackers coach at Delaware State.

"We are very pleased to have coach Faison join the NSU football family," Scott said. "He is a long and trusted football confidant of mine. His hard work, expertise and energy will do wonders for our defense as we try to take the next step."

Prior to his time at DSU, Faison spent 11 seasons as head coach at Virginia State (2002-12), where he compiled a 58-52 overall record. VSU posted five winning seasons under Faison's leadership. His best season came in 2010, when he led the Trojans to an 8-3 overall record, the CIAA Northern Division title and a berth in the conference championship game. Four VSU players earned first-team All-CIAA honors in 2010, including the league's Special Teams Player of the Year, Justin Parker. Faison garnered CIAA Coach of the Year honors that season, as well.

From 1995 to 2002, Faison was defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Winston-Salem State University. During Faison's tenure at Winston-Salem, the Rams captured two CIAA championships, three conference Southern Division titles, two Pioneer Bowl appearances (pitting the CIAA champion vs. SIAC champion) and one Pioneer Bowl championship.

In 1987 and '88, Faison was defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Virginia State. The Trojans captured the CIAA North title in each of those years.

Faison was a star defensive back at Virginia State. He set a team record with 28 tackles vs. South Carolina State in 1980. That season, he was a team captain and was selected as the Trojans' Defensive MVP.

He was inducted into the Virginia State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Faison holds two degrees from Virginia State. He earned a bachelor's in administration criminal justice in 1981 and a master's in guidance and counseling in 1986.

He and wife Sheryl have two children: a son, Andrew, who played linebacker at Virginia State; and a daughter, Brittany.  

Scott also announced the following staff changes on Friday: safeties coach Christian Parker will now coach cornerbacks, defensive line coach Keith Braxton adds the assistant head coach role to his duties, and running backs coach Montario Hardesty will now also serve as special teams coordinator.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS