Vikings' Frazier interview with Atlanta Falcons

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier interviewed for the Falcons' coaching job Friday night and Saturday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It was Frazier's first interview with the team and with newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

A 19-year coaching veteran, Frazier has gone from the Eagles' defensive backs coach in 1999 to twice being a defensive coordinator, first in Cincinnati (2003-04) and most recently, as Mike Tomlin's replacement in Minnesota (2007-Present). Frazier's stoic but communicative coaching style has drawn comparisons to Tomlin, who was hired as Pittsburgh's head coach in 2007.

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Photo: Former Alcorn State University player Leslie Frazier is being considered for NFL head coaching positions.

The 48 year old Leslie Frazier, played college football at Alcorn State University and played as a starting cornerback/defensive back on the Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team win over the New England Patriots.

During the 1985 championship season, Frazier led the Chicago Bears with 6 interceptions. The Columbus, Mississippi native NFL career lasted four years (Chicago Bears 1981-85). His career was cut short due to a knee injury he suffered during Super Bowl XX.

He also helped Indianapolis win Super Bowl XLI, as the Colts defensive backs under Tony Dungy.

Frazier recently interviewed for the Miami Dolphin head coaching vacancy. The Dolphins hired Dallas offensive assistant Tony Sparano.

Frazier started his coaching career in 1988 as the first head coach at Trinity College in Illinois, now known as Trinity International University. He held the position for 9 seasons and built the NAIA program from the ground up and won a pair of Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference titles before he moved on to the University of Illinois in 1997-98 as the Illini defensive backs coach.

Head Coach Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles hired Frazier as their defensive backs coach 1999.

Coach Frazier's NFL History Coaching:

1988-96....... Trinity College......Head Coach
1997-98....... University of Illinois..DBs
1999-2002..... Philadelphia Eagles....DBs
2003-04....... Cincinnati Bengals...Defensive Coordinator
2005-06....... Indianapolis Colts...Special Asst. to Head Coach/DBs
2006-Present.. Minnesota Vikings....Defensive Coordinator

-beepbeep

Alcorn State Ernest Jones salary disclosed

It didn't take long for the information to get out regarding the contract for new Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Jones. He signed a three year contract paying $140,000 per year.

Former ASU coach Dr. Johnny Thomas was paid by comparison $84,637.00 per year in his last season over the Braves program. Rick Comegy at Jackson State University receives $155,000 annually, with two years remaining on a four year contract.

Alcorn State completes football coaching staff

by beepbeep

Alcorn State University new head football coach Ernest Jones wasted no time in assembling a staff of assistant coaches for the 2008 Braves. The staff consists of 11 assistant coaches, equipment manager and two graduate assistants. Jones was hired on December 11, 2007, to replaces Dr. Johnny Thomas who was fired after a 10 year record of 48-61 and a 2-8 season last year.

The 37 year old Jones move away from hiring former Alcorn State coaches and players on his staff. The biggest name is defensive coordinator/associate head coach Earnest Collins. Collins served as secondary coach for C-USA champion Central Florida in 2007, where he was one of three new hires on the defensive side of the ball.

Photo: Alcorn State University Head Football Coach Earnest Jones

The football staff includes:
(previous school in parenthesis)

Head coach: Ernest Jones (Cincinnati)
Defensive coordinator/associate head coach: Earnest Collins (Central Florida)
Offensive coordinator: Dino Dawson (Illinois)
Wide receivers: Michael Armour (Lane)
Running backs: Terrance Robinson (Central Michigan)
Linebackers/recruiting coordinator: Zach Shay (Marion, Ill., High School)
Defensive backs: Jack Phillips (former Alcorn State player)
Defensive line/special teams: Keith Majors (Arizona Western College)
Offensive line: Adam Shorter (Cincinnati)
Strength and conditioning: Lorenzo Guess (Kentucky State)

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QB play keeping Alcorn down

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

Photo: Alcorn has gotten some big plays from the likes of Oliver Bozeman, intercepting a pass against UAB, but its D has been left on the field too much.

The quarterback position continues to cause sleepless nights for Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas.

The Braves (0-5, 0-4 SWAC) rank last in the league in scoring offense (9.0 ppg) and first downs (13.2 per game) and No. 9 in third-down percentage (23.9).

"We're still having personnel letdowns," Thomas said. "Every time we get something going offensively, we fumble the ball, throw an interception, drop the ball, overthrow the receiver.

"We cannot keep our defense on the field and expect (it to play well)."

Senior Chris Walker has been battling a high ankle sprain, opening the door for junior Tony Hobson.

However, Hobson has been less than spectacular, completing 2 of 8 passes for 23 yards with two interceptions in a 17-7 loss to Prairie View A&M last week.

Walker did play, connecting on 9 of 19 attempts for 117 yards.

"We started Tony and he has not come out and performed like we thought," Thomas said. "Chris is a tenacious young man. I've never seen a guy who's been able to bounce back (from injuries like he has).

"We're hoping he'll be ready to go against Texas Southern."

The Tigers (0-5, 0-4) host the Braves at Alex Durley Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday.

MORE QB ISSUES

Mississippi Valley State may rotate quarterbacks during Saturday's home game against North Dakota State.

Sophomore Paul Roberts is likely out with a mild concussion, leaving junior Semaj Williams and sophomore Ryan Barciaga to split duties.

Williams has completed 13 of 29 passes for 101 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns in three games this season.

Barciaga is 0-for-2 with an interception in two appearances.

BAD CALLS?

Prairie View A&M has put together a tape detailing questionable calls against the Panthers for the SWAC office.

Coach Henry Frazier insists that the officiating has been consistently lopsided against his team throughout the season.

"It's one of two things: They're either cheating or incompetent," Frazier said. "I know I'm going to get in trouble. It's frustrating because it's on film.

"That loses you ballgames. That's the kind of thing that loses people their jobs."

Prairie View is tied with Jackson State for the most penalties in league with 53. Its 499 penalty yards are second behind JSU's 578.

"We've gotten flagged 64 times," Frazier said. "Referees have to get coached up, too."

TAKE-A-KID

Children between the ages of 5-12 will be admitted free with a ticket-bearing adult to Valley's game Saturday against North Dakota State. Kickoff in Itta Bena is 2 p.m.

Take-A-Kid-To-The-Game Day pregame tickets are available for $15 at the MVSU cashiers window and remote locations. Game day tickets will be available for $18.

Contact the MVSU department of athletics for more information at (662) 254-3011.

LAST WEEK'S STANDOUTS


Corey Clark (JSU) - six tackles, three sacks


Ben Boyd (Prairie View) - six carries, 124 yards, one touchdown


Zach East (Prairie View) - 11 tackles


Sam Irons (MVSU) - 11 tackles, pass breakup


Zach Gilarski (MVSU) - eight punts, 37.8 average


Ronald Brewer (MVSU) - 14 carries, 50 yards; four receptions, 28 yards


Tim Manuel (Grambling) - two field goals; four PATs; five punts, 40.4 average

Alcorn Braves still win-less on season; PVAMU next week

By The Natchez Democrat

MONTGOMERY — Alcorn State University inched close to a victory Saturday night, but this isn’t horseshoes.

It’s college football, and the Braves are still win-less on the season after their 28-25 loss to Alabama State University.

Alabama State (4-0) has made a name for themselves in the close games so far this season.

“Every team has its character, so I guess this is ours,” coach Reggie Barlow said. “We must like it close, but we are finding a way to win so its alright with me.”

Barlow praised Alcorn for a good showing and a comeback attempt.

“I was happy that we got off to a good start, but it shows Alcorn’s character that they were able to come back,” he said.

Alcorn fell to 0-4 with the loss. Braves coach Johnny Thomas called this week a pivotal one for his team. Alcorn State has lost to Alabama State the last three seasons.

The Braves lost to UAB last week 22-0, in a defensive struggle. Alcorn was to have played Morehouse in Las Vegas this Saturday, but that game fell through. Their next game is Oct 6th at home with Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band and Golden Girls Dancers.

Featured Gallery: Alabama State University vs. Alcorn State University 9/22/07

UAB vs. Alcorn State University

STEVE IRVINE, The Birmingham News

Callaway on familiar turf with new team

UAB head football coach Neil Callaway could take a stroll down memory lane today when he arrives at Legion Field.

His Legion Field memories began as a player at the University of Alabama and stretched over coaching stops at Alabama and Auburn. He acknowledged earlier this week that he has plenty of good and bad Legion Field memories but added that today is no time to dive into those memories.

In other words, for Callaway, it's all about business today when the Blazers (0-2) play host to Alcorn State (0-2) in a non-conference game scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.

"It's our first home ball game, it's our home field, it's our house,"

Callaway said. "We need to represent ourselves well there. It's a lot of tradition there, which is great, but all I'm worried about right now is UAB."

Look at today's game on paper and it appears that Callaway has an excellent chance to get his first win as a head coach in his team's first home game. However, listen to Callaway's scouting report and Alcorn State doesn't sound like a team that has been outscored 52-13 by Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

"They are very multiple offensive and defensive schemes," Callaway said.

"It's going to create some problems for you with all the stuff that they do on both sides of the ball," Callaway said. "They have eight starters on both sides of the ball. I'm very impressed even though they have not won a ball game, I was very impressed on how they play on both sides of the ball and how well they are coached and how well they do the things they do."

Alcorn State hasn't necessarily looked like an experienced team thus far.

Part of that comes from an unsettled feeling at quarterback because of injuries. Senior Chris Walker started against Grambling before leaving with a thigh bruise. Junior Tony Hobson Jr. was the scheduled starter against Arkansas-Pine Bluff but he hurt his hand in practice last week. Sophomore Tim Buckley got the start at quarterback in the second game but was replaced quickly by Walker.

Put all that together and it's tough to find some offensive consistency.

UAB's difficulty in finding offensive consistency in the season-opening loss to Michigan State came largely because an offensive line that was breaking in three new starters and had little experienced depth. The offensive line played much better in the loss to Florida State last week.

Now the Blazers need to find more offensive playmakers to go with quarterback Sam Hunt and wide receiver Joseph Webb. Hunt has thrown for 440 yards and two touchdowns and his 31-yard run last week is the only double-digit rush the Blazers have thus far. Webb, who is still slated to play quarterback at some point, has a team-high 12 catches for 187 yards and the only two receiving touchdowns.

Running back Rashaud Slaughter is averaging just 3.3 yards per touch - rushing and receiving - and no other running back has more than four carries. Fullback/H-back David Sigler is averaging 15 yards per catch but has only four catches.