Alcorn State tries for SWAC 3-peat with new coach

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State is the king of the Southwestern Athletic Conference after back-to-back league titles.

Now the Braves must try for the three-peat with a new coach and a revamped roster.

Fred McNair is in charge at Alcorn State after taking over for Jay Hopson, who left to become the head coach at Southern Mississippi. McNair, who was promoted after four seasons as Alcorn State's quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach, is the brother of arguably the school's most famous alumni - quarterback Steve McNair.

The Braves have 11 starters returning from last season, including dual-threat quarterback Lenorris Footman, who threw for 1,106 yards and 14 touchdowns last season after taking over for the injured John Gibbs Jr. He was also second on the team with 1,023 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.

''The good thing is he's won a lot of games and has a SWAC championship under his belt,'' Fred McNair said. ''Now he just needs to be a little more consistent with his passing.''



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