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Former Bethune-Cookman standout Stevie Baggs is doing everything he can to land a job in the NFL. He doesn't know if he'll get one of the four available roster spots at outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, but he's certainly made an impression with his coaches and teammates.
"He came in here and made a quick splash with the players and coaches just because of his personality," Arizona linebackers coach Matt Raich said. "You can see they've taken to him. I'm anxious to see him in a few more games and to get him some reps."
Starting strong safety Adrian Wilson kids him while he does a phone interview, and veteran All-Pros Joey Porter and Darnell Dockett have taken a liking to the Canadian Football League sacks leader from 2009. Baggs is hard not to like.
ORMOND BEACH, FL -- Pa'tell Troutman and Antwuan Wyatt have a lot in common. Both were star football players at two of the most successful local high school programs. Both starred at the college level and had an opportunity to play in the National Football League. And both made poor decisions -- one committed a crime and one left school early -- that altered the direction of their lives.
"We talk to everybody about those types of decisions. I use my life as an example for kids coming up," said Antwuan Wyatt, now 35 and an assistant coach at Calvary with Troutman. "Regardless of what I do, I put myself in a situation where I shouldn't have been in. At the time you're with your friends. I lost focus of what I worked so hard to achieve."
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- One would think a football team transitioning from a triple-option offense to a more conventional pro-style attack would experience some unique problems. Finding enough quality receivers for example. But with two Rutgers transfers recently joining the mix, receiver has suddenly become the deepest position at Bethune-Cookman.
"Our No. 1 goal of our coaching staff was to try to make each position more of a competition to get some depth where the guys had to compete and be on their 'A' game every day," B-CU first-year coach Brian Jenkins said. "It just so happened the receiver spot filled up a little bit more or faster with talent than we thought, but it's a good thing to have, and we'll see how they fit into our offensive system."
After the first week of preseason practice, Eddie Poole and Pat Brown are both fitting in well, said Jenkins, who coached them last year when he was the receivers coach at Rutgers. Poole, a 6-foot-3, redshirt sophomore from Belle Glade Glades Central, and Brown, a redshirt senior from Newark, N.J., were not getting much playing time with the Scarlet Knights. They both enjoyed playing for Jenkins last year and decided to follow him to the Sunshine State.
DAYTONA BEACH -- D.J. Howard has never been one to shy away from change. Although the former Spruce Creek High standout signed a football scholarship with Bethune-Cookman three years ago primarily to learn from two renowned coaches of defensive backs -- head coach Alvin Wyatt and defensive backs coach Terry Williams -- Howard was excited when new head coach Brian Jenkins was hired last December.
He had been disappointed when Wyatt, who along with Williams had played defensive back in the NFL, was fired two days after the end of last season, but Howard welcomed a fresh start and a new system and all the hard work and eventual payoff those changes would entail. "The training methods are different, the styles of practice are different," the redshirt sophomore said Friday evening, one week into Jenkins' first preseason camp with the team.
"With a new coach, everybody has to come back and compete for their jobs, and that's a great thing because it brings back a spark. Everybody has to work hard."
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman Athletics Director Lynn Thompson and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that the B-CU vs. North Carolina A&T football game originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30, will now be Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. The switch was made so the game can be shown live on national television (ESPNU).
"There is a lot of interest in the new direction of our program," Thompson said. "With our phenomenal band, and the new construction of the athletic training facility and schedule upgrade, plans are underway to attract youngsters to our program from our backyard and beyond. "It will also be a super opportunity for our city to showcase the new improvements at Municipal Stadium." B-CU coach Brian Jenkins agreed.
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA -- Wide receiver Eric Weems made the Falcons' roster last season and played in all 16 games. He also won the punt- and kickoff-return jobs. With Harry Douglas returning from knee surgery and the drafting of rookie Kerry Meier, Weems, who signed in 2007 as an undrafted free agent from Bethune-Cookman, knows he's in another battle to make the roster.
"My mindset is to always compete," Weems said. "No job out here is safe. I'm going to go out here and fight hard every day." Weems averaged 25.3 yards on 48 kickoff returns, which was ninth in the NFL for players with 30 or more returns. Tampa Bay's Clifton Smith was tops in the league with a 29.1 average. Weems averaged 10 yards on 27 punt returns, which was 10th in the league for returners with 25 or more returns. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson led the league with a 15.2 average.
FLINT, Michigan — Bethune-Cookman University's Willie Mack III put on a display of shot-making unlike any other in the 79-year history of the Flint City Amateur Golf Championship.
Mack ( a native of Flint, Mich.) won his third City Amateur crown Sunday at Swartz Creek, where he shot 5-under-par 67 for a an 11-shot victory over Andy Johnson and Derrick Riley. Mack's winning score of 18-under-par 198 shattered the tournament record of 11-under 205 set in 2005 by Grand Blanc's John Lindholm, who is also a three-time City Amateur champ.
Mack, who also won the City Am in 2006 and 2008, started the day with a nine-shot lead over playing partners Derrick Riley and Jordan Phillips, the defending champion. He showed early that he wasn't going back to the field, opening with three birdie before missing a four-foot putt for birdie on No. 4.
“My mindset was to extend it,” Mack said of the big lead. “Play aggressive and get to 20-under. I was on track for that and I made a double (-bogey) on 14, the par 3. I think I lost my focus because I had such a big lead. “My goal was 20-under.” Mack is 2-for-2 in Flint-area events this summer, having won the Genesee All-Star Golf Classic last month at Flushing Valley. READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
The Florida Citrus Bowl is getting a quick makeover--grass is out and new AstroTurf is going in with completion due by September 1, 2010 -- just in time for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. This year's event features Southern University Jaguars vs. Delaware State University Hornets on Sept 5. However, it took the embarrassment of last year Capital One and the Champs Sports Bowls, respectively, for the City Fathers to make a $1.5 million investment to improve the aging venue.
Apparently, after the 30th Florida Classic between Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats vs. Florida A&M University Rattlers, the City decided to replace the turf with fresh sod. But after heavy rains hit the Orlando area, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and the Wisconsin Badgers did more slipping and sliding on the loose sod in the Champs Bowl (Dec. 29) than either team wants to remember. Penn State and LSU didn't fare any better in their January 1, 2010 showdown in the Capital One Bowl.
Since the Big Ten, ACC and SEC want no parts of the Mud Bowl when Florida gets a deluge of heavy rains, City Officials had no choice but to upgrade.
Bethune-Cookman University and Delaware State University will have the upper hand on Florida A&M University and Southern University with the new AstroTurf surface. B-CU is receiving new Field Turf on its home field at Daytona Beach Memorial Stadium with installation to be completed by Sept 1.
DSU has TenCateThiolon Field Turf at its 7,193 seat Alumni Stadium. FAMU and Southern home stadiums, Bragg Memorial and A.W. Mumford Stadiums, currently have natural grass surfaces that can become a dust or mud bowl in late October based on the erratic Louisiana and North Florida weather patterns.
The Jaguars new coach Stump Mitchell is attempting to raise the necessary funds to replace the surface at Mumford Stadium with new Field Turf.
The 31st Florida Classic rivalry between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M is scheduled for November 20, 2010. This year's event is expected to be a sellout with the Wildcats sporting a new head coach in former Rutgers position coach, Brian Jenkins. The Rattlers are coached by Joe Taylor who is in his third season at FAMU.
GAINESVILLE, FL — Sean Bukovich and Anthony Mesa drove in three runs apiece and Florida Atlantic eliminated Bethune-Cookman from the NCAA tournament with a 12-6 victory. The Owls (36-23) pounded out 18 hits, including eight for extra bases, and advanced to play Oregon State or Florida in the Gainesville regional Sunday. The Wildcats (35-22), back on the field about 12 hours after losing in the opening round, stranded five runners in scoring position and hit into two double plays. They fell to 1-20 in regional play.
After not getting key hits in Friday’s opening 6-4 loss to the Beavers, Saturday everyone was hitting with men on, as eight Owls had at least one RBI in the game. The Owls are now 57-15 all-time versus the Wildcats, and Bethune still has just one win in its 11 regional appearances. Hats off to starter Ryan Garton, who did not wilt in the scorching heat of a 1 p.m. start, going 7 innings and giving up 5 runs on 11 hits to preserve the bullpen for Sunday’s must-win game. Climbing out of loser’s bracket will be tough. If Florida wins, the Owls would need to beat the Beavers and then beat the Gators in two straight games.
Coach Mervyl Melendez and the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats fall to 1-19 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
Gainesville, FL -- Freshman right-hander Hudson Randall (Atlanta, Ga.) notched a career-high 10 strikeouts over 7.1 innings as top-seeded Florida (43-15) defeated fourth-seeded Bethune-Cookman (35-21), 7-3, on Friday night at McKethan Stadium. In his NCAA Regional debut, the rookie (8-3) did not allow a hit until the fifth inning in picking up his sixth-straight victory. The fourth-ranked Gators will meet third-seeded Oregon State (32-22) in a winner’s bracket game at 7 p.m. tomorrow live on Sun Sports, while the Wildcats face second-seeded Florida Atlantic (35-23) in an elimination game at 1 p.m. The Beavers edged the Owls, 6-4, earlier this afternoon.
“Hudson Randall was outstanding on the mound,” third-year head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “We knew Bethune-Cookman would be a tough opponent. We jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but like we expected, they battled and gave it everything they had. It was hard to pull away from them. Bethune is always tough and they proved it again tonight.” The Wildcats used a two-out RBI single by sophomore Alejandro Sanchez (2-for-4) to narrow the gap to 4-1 in the fifth. Leonard had come through with Bethune-Cookman’s first hit with a one-out double just out of the reach of senior center fielder Matt den Dekker (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). Although Randall had junior Emmanuel Castro fly out, Sanchez lined a single into left field that eluded a diving Pigott to score Leonard.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Just as the NCAA baseball selection show was coming on Monday afternoon, the satellite dish at the local restaurant went on the blink due to a weather disturbance. "Don't they know that's the reason we're here," Bethune-Cookman coach Mervyl Melendez joked. But the satellite reception resumed just as the Gainesville Regional teams were being announced and the Wildcats lifted their heads from their conversations and meals long enough to find out their first regional opponent will be the Florida Gators for the second year in row.
Then they returned to their chicken wings and fries. No hoots, no cheers no applause. "We're used to it by now," senior pitcher Andrew Tilka said. "We expect to be someplace watching it every year. And we knew we'd be going to either Florida or Miami." The Wildcats will be playing in the regionals for the fifth straight year and for the 11th time in the past 12 years, but they are still looking for their first win over a No. 1 seed. They've never come closer than last year when they led 7-5 going into the bottom of the ninth where the Gators scored three runs to stave off the upset with an 8-7 win.
Players to watch: C Peter O'Brien, 1B Ryan Durrence, OF DJ Leonard, P Roman Lacara
Of note: Sophomore ace Ali Simpson (6-1, 4.66 ERA) was suspended three games by the MEAC in the semifinals vs. North Carolina A&T for an in-game shoving incident. If the suspension holds, Simpson isn't eligible to pitch until game three of the regional as he sat out one game (the MEAC final).
Quotable: O'Sullivan on B-CU — "Obviously, we're real familiar with Bethune. We got rained out against them this year and they gave us everything we could handle last year (in the Gainesville Regional). They're very, very well coached and they're a good club and we'll have to play well (to beat the Wildcats Friday)."
Of note: This is Florida's 26th NCAA Regional appearance and the Gators have claimed seven titles. Five of those titles came while hosting in Gainesville. The Gators are a combined 37-6 all-time against FAU and Bethune-Cookman, including a 23-0 record against B-CU. If Oregon State and Florida meet, it will be the first time the two programs have played against each other.
Quotable: Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan: "We figured we'd be one of the eight (national seeds). That was the goal from the beginning of the season so we can host regionals, super regionals. It's awfully nice to play at home.“
Bethune Cookman University President Trudie Kibbe Reed, Ed.D., said the Wildcat students have a $350 million dollar economic impact on the Daytona Beach area.The proposed Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center will address NCAA Title IX concerns for balancing men's and women's athletics sports facilities at the college.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University has a new addition coming: a 27,000-square-foot athletic facility on International Speedway Boulevard where students can work out and coaches can strategize. Students at the private, United Methodist school also will have a new place to pray together, and someday kids in the neighborhood might have a place to connect with mentors. The city's Midtown Redevelopment Area Board voted Wednesday night to let the $4 million project move ahead. Construction is slated to start in about a month, and should wrap up in roughly a year.
The vote brought smiles to dozens of students who packed into the City Hall meeting room. "Behind me you see a group of young men who probably would not have had an opportunity for higher education without the football program," said Bethune-Cookman President Trudie Kibbe Reed. University officials hope the sports complex will save their NCAA division status, something that came into question several years ago after NCAA inspectors called for improvements to Bethune-Cookman athletic facilities. Preserving that status should also protect the $1.5 million the school gets each year to play in the Florida Classic football game, money that goes toward academic programs.
ORMOND BEACH, FL -- Five years ago, Bethune-Cookman was the darling of college softball. But when the Wildcats' head coach left for greener pastures shortly after they became the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team to reach the NCAA super regionals, they fell off the map. Now they're back.
B-CU defeated North Carolina A&T 7-3 on Saturday at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex to win the MEAC softball championship and qualify for regional play for the first time since its amazing run to the Super Regionals in 2005. "I'm so glad we got this for the program," said B-CU pitcher Allison Garcia, who was named the tournament's outstanding player. Fourth-year coach Chris Cochran was named outstanding coach of the tourney.
"I'm so happy for Chris," B-CU athletics director Lynn Thompson said amid the Wildcats' celebration, noting B-CU was caught off-guard when former coach Laura Watten left the program for the University of Maryland just as the 2005-06 school year was about to begin. After a season under an interim coach, Cochran, a former head coach at Brown University, was hired in August 2006. "She had to come in here and rebuild it," Thompson said. "When we hired her we knew it would be a good fit, and it was. I'm just so proud of what Chris and what these kids have accomplished."
B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez's Wildcats clinch #1 Seed for MEAC Tournament and earned 2010 Regular Season MEAC Baseball Title.
For the second time in school history, Bethune-Cookman's baseball team has gone undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. B-CU scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning in a 13-9 win over Delaware State (12-30, 8-10) on Sunday. It's the first-ever 18-0 MEAC regular season; B-CU was 15-0 in 2006. The Wildcats (32-19) will have the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament May 20-23 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.
Dover, DE -- Bethune-Cookman scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning in a 13-9 win over Delaware State in MEAC baseball at Soldier Field today. The Wildcats, who clinched the MEAC regular season title on Saturday, completed the conference schedule with an 18-0 record (32-19 overall). Delaware State is 8-10 in the MEAC and 12-30 overall. Delaware State broke an 8-8 tie on a two-out single by Scott Davis in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Bethune-Cookman tied the game at nine on a single by Emmanuel Castro in the top of the ninth inning. The Wildcats pulled ahead 10-9 when Matt Wright followed with a run-scoring in the inning. BCU padded its lead when the next batter, Alejando Sanchez, followed with a three-run homer. The Hornets trailed 6-1 before scoring seven runs in the third inning to take the lead. Mike Rizzuto doubled in the first two runs of the inning. Also in the inning, Matt Aleman had a run-scoring single and Abe Eubank was credited with a RBI on a bases loaded walk. Brandon Crist capped off the inning with a three-run homer to give DSU an 8-6 lead.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Alvin Wyatt, the winningest football coach in Bethune-Cookman University's history, has sued the school, claiming breach of contract for firing him in November after a 5-6 season. Neither Wyatt nor his attorney could be reached for comment Thursday, but the lawsuit filed in circuit court Wednesday claims the 62-year-old coach was "wrongfully terminated" without cause and without written notice, as required in his contract with BCU.
Alvin Wyatt, Sr., former head football coach, B-CU.
Wyatt seeks more than $800,000, including five years of his base salary of $90,000, five years of television appearance income at $35,000 per year and five years of "additional guaranteed income" that totaled $40,000 in 2009. The suit also opens the door for a possible age-discrimination action in federal court after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission completes its review of the case. Former Rutgers assistant coach Brian Jenkins, 39, was hired to replace Wyatt in December.
Liz Poston, a university spokeswoman, confirmed that B-CU has been served with the complaint, but declined to comment, saying the university has a policy to not discuss personnel matters publicly. Athletics Director Lynn Thompson also refused comment. Wyatt was fired on Nov. 23, 2009, two days after the Wildcats lost to arch-rival Florida A&M, 42-6. He compiled a record of 90-54 in 13 seasons as B-CU's head coach.
Coach Mervyl Melendez and Bethune-Cookman ends MLB Urban League Invitational with only one win--over Southern, dropping games against Cal State Northridge and UCLA.
COMPTON, Calif. -- Ryan Gonzalez pitched six strong innings and Matt Wright homered and had five RBIs to lead Bethune Cookman to a 13-8 victory over Southern University on Sunday at the Major League Baseball Urban Classic. Gonzalez (1-0) gave up three runs on three hits and struck out six for the Wildcats (1-2). Joey Sharkey and Justin Dahl combined to pitch the final three innings to secure the win.
Wright's three-run homer, his second of the weekend, sparked an eight-run fifth inning that propelled B-CU to a 12-1 lead. Justin Hoyte had two hits, including a two-run triple in the Wildcats' four-run third inning. Ryan Durrence had three hits and Emmanuel Castro went deep for the Wildcats. "We needed to win this game after losing the first two," said Gonzalez, a sophomore form Arecibo, Puerto Rico. "My fastball and curveball were working well and I felt like I was attacking the zone. I was motivated today to help my team win."
This weekend marked the third consecutive season that B-CU has opened its campaign at the MLB Urban Classic on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The third annual three-day event, which also featured No. 23 ranked UCLA, Southern University and Cal-State Northridge, helps spotlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities by giving them national exposure.
B-CU will play Cal State Northridge, UCLA, and Southern University at Classic on February 19, 2010. This is Wildcats third straight year at MLB Classic.
The 2010 baseball edition of B-CU returns six returning starting players including team hitting leader (C. J. Lauriello, .403, 4 HR, 36 RBI), team home run, RBI leader Ryan Durrence (11 HR, 48 RBI), and freshman All-American catcher Peter O'Brien (.314, 30 RBI). Also returning is a talented group of pitchers led by freshman All-American sophomore lefty Ali Simpson (9-2, 3.23 ERA, 79 K's). Coach Mervyl Melendez expects junior OF Matt Wright (transfer from Daytona State College) to be a starter in the outfield and four-year OF Justin Hoyte (.270, 32 starts in 2009) returns for his senior season. Transfer OF DJ Leonard adds depth to the B-CU outfield and will battle for a starting spot.
"Our team returns most of the position players from our NCAA regional team," said Coach Melendez. "C.J. (Lauriello) is a very advanced hitter will have a tremendous year for us. He is a very tough out and hits well in big games. We have high expectations as a team. We want to play for championships and have won four straight and nine of out the last 10 MEAC championships and NCAA regionals. We want to go out and play hard and out-play our opponents. I am excited about our team. We have the pieces in place to be a very good team."
The starting left side of the infield returns - in sophomore SS Alejandro Sanchez (.299, 2 HR, 24 RBI) and the teams' second leading hitter in 2009 - Jr. 3B Emmanuel Castro (.345, 4 HR, 36 RBI). Hard-hitting Sr. 1B Alejandro Jimenez looks for a solid final season with the Wildcats. Jimenez led the `Cats with 22 stolen bases last year and he hit .330 with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jimenez did have surgery again following the 2009 season to repair the bone chips in his non-throwing elbow. Valuable infielders Sr. 3B Jeremy Davis (.333, 1 HR, 20 RBI) and So. 2B-SS-3B - Jairo Acevedo return in 2010. Both were impressive offensively in the Fall season and are solid veteran players.
The 2009 season was highlighted by winning the fourth straight MEAC championship and earning B-CU's ninth NCAA regional appearance in 10 years. Winning milestone game number 300 for Coach Mervyl Melendez, at Maryland-Eastern Shore in late April, was icing on the cake for the Wildcats.
Sophomore LHP Ali Simpson, last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year, will be the number one starter in 2010. His role expands from last year as the number three starter behind senior 1-2 aces Hiram Burgos and Eric Thomas. Simpson was tabbed the pre-season 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year in February balloting and he hopes to add to his Freshman All-American status of last year. Jr. LHP Joseph Munoz (3-6, 5.14) will be a specialist in the bullpen in 2010 and his new role bolsters the B-CU relief pitchers.
Sophomore RHP Rayan Gonzalez hopes for an injury free season and Jr. LHP Roman Lancara will be in his third year of pitching for the Wildcats. Both Gonzalez and Lancara are projected into the starting rotation as the season opens in February. Returning relievers RHP Andrew Tilka and LHP Justin Dahl (coming back off of knee surgery during the off-season) both return in 2010. Dahl had four saves and was the B-CU closer in the early season before his injury in March. The 2010 roster includes eight new pitchers all vying for innings and starts. Six are freshman and two are JC transfers (Jr. RHP Julio Morales and Jr. RHP/3B Juan Perez). Perez is the projected closer entering 2010 Spring practice after an impressive Fall practice season on the mound.
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Bethune Cookman University 2010 Baseball Schedule Date Opponent Event Location Time
February Fri., Feb. 19 vs. vs. Cal State Northridge @ MLB Urban Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 20 vs. vs. UCLA @ MLB Classic Compton, California 6:00 p.m. Sun., Feb. 21 vs. vs. Southern Univ. @ MLB Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m. Mon., Feb. 22 at UC-Riverside Riverside, California 3:00 p.m. Thu., Feb. 25 at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 4:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 26 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 27 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m. at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 5:00 p.m.
March Tue., Mar. 2 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 3 vs. Jacksonville Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 5 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 6 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 7 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 1:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 10 vs. Wagner Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 12 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 2:30 p.m. vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 13 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 14 vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 16 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 20 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 21 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Mon., Mar. 22 vs. Ohio State Daytona Beach, Florida 3:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 24 vs. North Florida Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m. Thu., Mar. 25 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 26 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Mar. 27 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 30 at UCF Orlando, Florida 6:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 31 vs. UCF Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
April Wed., Apr. 7 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apr. 10 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 11 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 13 at North Florida Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 14 at Florida International Miami, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 17 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 18 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach, Florida 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 20 at Miami Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Wed., Apr. 21 at UCF Orlando, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apr. 24 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m. at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 4:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 25 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m. Tue., Apr. 27 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Apr. 28 at Florida Atlantic Boco Raton, Fla. 4:00 p.m. Fri., Apr. 30 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
May Sat., May 1 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m. Tue., May 4 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6:30 p.m. Wed., May 5 vs. Florida International Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m. Sat., May 8 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m. at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 4:00 p.m. Sun., May 9 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m. Tue., May 11 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m. Wed., May 12 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m. Thu., May 20 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA Fri., May 21 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA Sat., May 22 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA
Bethune Cookman University head football coach Brian Jenkins signs highly regarded QB Tim Smith and safety Jabari Cargill, Fort Pierce Central to first recruiting class.
Fort Pierce Central High School athlete Tim Smith, who originally committed to Rutgers, signed to play quarterback at Bethune-Cookman, where his recruiter from Rutgers is now head coach, and teammate Jabari Cargill will join him as a defensive back. Smith said he felt good about Rutgers, but “things started to change” when wide receivers coach Brian Jenkins left for Bethune-Cookman. The relationship he had built with Jenkins was the biggest draw to Rutgers, and he liked what he saw when he visited Bethune-Cookman about two weeks ago.
“I just felt good about the environment, and the coaches there and everything about,” Smith said. At Rutgers, Smith was going to play receiver and some Wildcat quarterback, but at Bethune-Cookman he could play quarterback, which was his original position before a suspension at the beginning of the season changed his role to more of an athlete position. Smith said he didn’t care which position he played and was confident he would still be sought out despite the disciplinary issue. He had received offers from Iowa State, Purdue, South Florida, Tennessee and several other Division I schools.
Bethune-Cookman University Head Football Coach Brian Jenkins has been a busy man since being named new coach December 21. Along with Tim Smith, the Wildcats announced signing 20 student-athletes to attend B-CU and play football for the ‘Cats and Jenkins in the 2010 season. "This recruiting class will always be special because it was my first one," said Coach Jenkins. "We recruited players who were high in character and high in integrity and we didn't just recruit anybody. This is a special group we will bring to Bethune-Cookman University and I am excited with the signees. I am thankful to basically four coaches who were relentless and worked long hours and pulled off this recruiting class in a short amount of time."
Bethune-Cookman University National Signing Day Student/Athletes
Offense 1. Andrew Ferris OL/LS 6-2, 250 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland HS) 2. Angelo Cabrera RB 5-8, 175 Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon HS) 3. Anthony Jordan RB 6-1, 215 Atlanta, Georgia (North Atlanta HS) 4. Anthony Reagan OL 6-4, 340 Ocala, Fla. (West Port Ocala High) 5. Brett Kremer TE 6-2, 215 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze HS) 6. Brian Dorsey OL 6-4, 355 Jacksonville, Fla. (Ribault HS) 7. David Blackwell QB 6-2, 225 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Iowa Western CC) 8. Javoris Johnson WR 5-10, 170 Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida High) 9. Pat Harris WR 6-0, 180 Ft. Pierce, Fla. (Treasure Coast HS) 10. Jazz Moss WR 5-9, 175 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Plantation HS)
Defense 11. Arlen Nibbs DE 6-0, 260 Atlanta, Georgia (North Cobb Christian HS) 12. Dion Hanks CB 5-10, 180 Miami, Fla. (Edison HS) 13. Isiah Corbett DE 6-1, 240 Belle Glades, Fla. (Glades Central HS) 14. Jabari Cargill S 6-3, 205 Ft. Pierce, Fla. (Ft. Pierce Central HS) 15. Marcus Farley LB 6-0, 215 Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS) 16. Michael Ross LB 6-1, 200 Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS) 17. Tevin Toney DE 6-2, 230 Sebring, Fla. (Sebring HS) 18. Tim Burke CB 5-8, 180 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Plantation HS) 19. Jackie Wilson Athlete 6-1, 210 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson HS) 20. Tim Smith Athlete 6-2, 210 Ft. Pierce Fla. (Ft. Pierce Central HS)
DAYTONA BEACH -- There was no doubt in Lynn Thompson's mind that Bethune-Cookman's search committee made the right choice in selecting Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins as the Wildcats' next head football coach. He discovered over the weekend that many B-CU fans agree with him. "I was at the mall (Sunday night) and people stopped me. They were very excited about our choice," said Thompson, the Wildcats' athletics director. The school, who has been without a coach since Alvin Wyatt was fired Nov. 21, will introduce Jenkins today.
"He's a wonderful young man with a bright future," Thompson said. "His name came up early in the process, and the more we looked we saw something about him that everybody on the committee felt was attractive. This guy stood out as a good fit for our university and its mission. We feel he'll do a great job." Jenkins, 38, was on the Rutgers sideline Saturday night during its 45-24 victory over UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field. He was with the Scarlet Knights for one season, coaching wide receivers. He came over to Rutgers from Louisiana-Lafayette, where he spent seven years as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also was an assistant coach in NFL Europe and at Bowling Green, Eastern Illinois and Western Kentucky universities.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Another Rutgers assistant football coach is on the move, with wide receivers coach Brian Jenkins set to become the head coach at Bethune-Cookman immediately following the Knights' St. Petersburg Bowl game against Central Florida on Saturday, according to someone familiar with the move. Jenkins, 38, who is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., arrived at Rutgers this year from Louisiana-Lafayette. The Bethune-Cookman job opened when the school fired Alvin Wyatts following a 5-6 season and a 90-54 record after 13 years.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Former Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins is the new coach at Bethune-Cookman, replacing Alvin Wyatt. Athletic director Lynn Thompson introduced Jenkins during a press conference Monday. Wyatt was fired on Nov. 23, two days after the Wildcats' 42-6 season-ending loss to archrival Florida A&M. Despite finishing 5-6 for the third time in four years, Wyatt departed as the winningest coach in Bethune-Cookman history, going 90-54 in 13 seasons. Jenkins coached wide receivers at Rutgers. He finished his duties with the Scarlet Knights during the St. Petersburg Bowl. "In coach Jenkins, we follow a new initiative with a new vision for our football program," said Thompson, adding that Jenkins was the unanimous choice among a search committee considering 87 applicants. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Coach Alvin "Shine" Wyatt, Sr., winningest coach in B-CU history, ends 13 year run with a 90-54 football record, two MEAC Championships, and two NCAA FCS Playoff appearances. Wyatt also served for 18 years as the Wildcats women basketball coach finishing with a 260-200 record and two MEAC championships.
DAYTONA BEACH -- The Alvin Wyatt era came to an end Monday when Bethune-Cookman University fired the Wildcats' all-time wins leader, the only head football coach to take B-CU to consecutive playoff appearances and the school's only coach to defeat archrival Florida A&M three straight seasons. Wyatt's 13-year run -- the longest tenure in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference -- ended about 4:30 p.m. Monday.
B-CU athletics director Lynn Thompson summoned Wyatt and told him the news in a face-to-face meeting. "It was one of the toughest situations I've ever been in professionally, having to have that conversation with Alvin Wyatt," Thompson said. "It's been a 13-year career that's included some great accomplishments. But after meeting with the administration, looking at the future, it was decided we needed to begin moving in another direction immediately."
Gotta admit, when Alvin Wyatt was first promoted to Bethune-Cookman head coach 13 years ago, I considered it a punt. But staying in-house with that hire seemed to make sense at the time -- go with familiarity, save a little money in the process, and learn to be happy with four or six wins each year until further notice. The first two assumptions might've been correct, but Wyatt proved to be anything but a caretaker or babysitter for a program that, at that time, was in awkward shape (to put it nicely).
Wyatt hit the ground running -- literally. He employed an option-style offense and, when the blocking was decent and the quarterback sharp and athletic, the Wildcats could run an opposing defense into the ground. But a turnaround in a program, while always welcomed, also breeds expectations, and for a variety of reasons (speculation on the message boards runs the gamut) those expectations haven't been met the past four years.
Wyatt Won't Return as B-CU's Coach DAYTONA BEACH Bethune-Cookman University will not renew head football coach Alvin Wyatt's contract. The school announced its decision Monday, two days after a 42-6 loss to Florida A&M. Bethune-Cookman Athletics Director Lynn W. Thompson says a national search for Wyatt's replacement will begin immediately. The assistant coaching staff will remain intact until the new coach is named. Bethune-Cookman finished this season with a 5-6 record, the third losing season in the past four years. The team went 8-3 in 2008. Wyatt coached 13 seasons at Bethune-Cookman with an overall record of 90-54.
Former Bethune-Cookman standout Stevie Baggs is doing everything he can to land a job in the NFL. He doesn't know if he'll get one of the four available roster spots at outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, but he's certainly made an impression with his coaches and teammates.
