Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy Jr. interviews at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy is interviewing for the same post at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a Southwestern Athletic Conference school.

An email from UAPB Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr., obtained Tuesday night by The Daily Press, invited university administrators, faculty and staff to a reception to meet Hardy on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"Over the past couple of days, I have visited with officials at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for discussions on their athletics program and their vacancy for an athletics director," Hardy said in an email Tuesday night. "Where those discussions may lead has not been decided, neither on the part of the university nor on my part. Consequently, my focus is on continuing to prepare Hampton University's athletics program for the start of a new school year and to continue getting our staff, coaches and student-athletes ready to fulfill the lofty goals that we have for all of our athletic teams."

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Hampton U. fires football coach after one season

Former head coach Jerry Holmes finishes Hampton career with 6-5 record. Holmes replaced Joe Taylor, who left for Florida A&M after building the Hampton program into a MEAC powerhouse.

Athletic director Lonza Hardy fired Jerry Holmes as the Pirates’ head football coach after only one season, and Holmes’ interest in the NFL was a primary cause. In a statement released by the school Tuesday, Hardy indicated he and Holmes had differences on the direction of the program, and he questioned Holmes’ commitment to the team.

He also announced the longtime assistant Donovan Rose, a Norview High and Hampton U. grad, would be the new coach. “I felt a dire need to have atop our football program a coach whose commitment, loyalty and devotion to Hampton University were without question,” Hardy said.

Hardy told the Daily Press of Newport News that school officials had heard Holmes might be seeking jobs with NFL teams. Then, Holmes informed the school that he planned to interview with pro teams at this past Saturday’s Senior Bowl. “We could not approve that,” Hardy told the newspaper. “He felt the need to go and do those interviews anyway.”

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Give it a break Hampton--you are not Boston College! Get ready to become the homecoming queen for entire MEAC. I know of no professionals that should not seek a higher office, a better paying job or greater job security, especially during a period of great economic depression for our country. How soon Hardy forgets--he jumped ship from Mississippi Valley on June 20, 2008 after a six year stint, to come to Hampton for more MONEY! Chump!!