New coach looks to keep Prairie View's momentum going

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Since 2007, Prairie View A&M has had seven winning seasons, highlighted by the 2009 SWAC championship. So winning has become the norm for the Panthers’ football program, which has finished above .500 in each of the last three seasons.

The exploits of the past three years were under the direction of coach Willie Simmons, who in the offseason took the same position at Florida A&M. Eric Dooley, a veteran assistant at three SWAC schools who has been part of seven SWAC championships as either a player or coach, now has the responsibility of continuing that success.

“It’s going to always be tough here because of the expectations, and that’s the way it should be,” said Dooley, who spent the previous four years as offensive coordinator at Grambling State, the two-time reigning conference champion.

In winning their final three games of 2017, the Panthers finished 6-5 overall and at 4-3 were third in the league’s West Division. Prairie View has had a winning conference record in 10 of the past 11 seasons.

Returning seven offensive starters and four on defense, the Panthers are again picked to finish third in their division. Seven players received preseason all-conference recognition — cornerback JuAnthony Parker, offensive lineman Corbin Finlayson, running back Dawonya Tucker, offensive lineman Roderick Smith, wide receiver Markcus Hardy, tight end Zarrian Holcombe and defensive back Reggie Stubblefield — with Parker and Finlayson earning first-team status. Linebacker Anthony Stubbs is the top returning tackler (69, with 5½ sacks).

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