SU Coach Mitchell's Contract Approved by Board

Southern University football coach Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell will be paid the same salary as his predecessor, Pete Richardson. Mitchell got a three-year contract at $200,000 per season with a fourth year as a mutual option, Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said Wednesday. Richardson, who spent 17 years as Southern’s coach, was paid $200,000 for his final seasons. He retired after last season and was replaced by Mitchell, a former Washington Redskins assistant coach, in January.

Mitchell will have $400,000 available to pay his assistant coaches, LaFleur said. Richardson had $335,000 to spread among six assistant coaches last season. An extra $15,000 one-time payment to Mitchell was added for moving expenses and incentives, such as $10,000 bonus for winning the Bayou Classic and an identical $10,000 bonus for winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. The contract also offers another $10,000 annual bonus for having a 75 percent graduation rate among football players. The Southern University Board of Supervisors on Friday officially approved the three-year contract for Mitchell, the former Washington Redskins assistant coach.

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Southern University fires football coach Pete Richardson

BREAKING SPORTS NEWS: Southern fires football coach Pete Richardson

BATON ROUGE – Southern University has fired Head Football Coach Pete Richardson. Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said Richardson was notified at 3 p.m. that after 17 years in the post his services were no longer needed. “We’re concerned about the direction of the football program,” LaFleur said. “It’s time to go in a different direction.”

Southern ended the 2009 season with a 6-5 record but lost perhaps the biggest game of the season – the Bayou Classic in New Orleans – to Grambling 31-13. The Jaguars also dropped its final game to Texas Southern 30-25, giving up a touchdown with 16 seconds remaining. “No one game did it,” LaFleur said. “You have to look at it as a whole.”

Southern U fires football coach

BATON ROUGE, La. - Pete Richardson, the football coach at Southern University for 17 years, has been fired. Southern's Athletic Director Greg LaFleur announced the move on Monday. Lafleur says offensive line coach Damon Nivens will serve as interim coach until a replacement is named. Known as the "Dean of the SWAC,'' Richardson had a 134-62 record in his 17 years at Southern. That included four, 11-win seasons and one 12-win season.

Southern fires football coach Pete Richardson

The run for Pete Richardson "On the Bluff" in Baton Rouge has come to an end. The man known as Coach Pete was fired as head football coach at Southern University. In his 17 seasons at the school, Richardson led the Jaguars to a 105-38 record, second only to legendary A.W. Mumford. He coached the Jags to 5 SWAC championships and one black college national championship.

In 2009, the Jaguars finished up at 6-5, losing their last two contests to Grambling in the Bayou Classic and Texas Southern on the road. Southern was 3-5 this season in the SWAC. The listless finish to the season as well as questionable management style regarding timeouts in the finale versus Texas Southern sealed the deal. Richardson had one year remaining on his contract.

Keys: SU football at crossroads

How’s that for a crummy way to finish off a football season? Saturday afternoon at Delmar Stadium, in a not-so-grand finale before a tiny crowd (attendance was listed at 10,769, but the actual crowd could have practically fit inside a Dodge Neon), Southern played well enough for 58 minutes to defeat Texas Southern. But those pesky last two minutes were a doozy.

The result was a 30-25 loss that seemed to trump all others in shock value. Saturday’s game wasn’t so crushing because the Jaguars lost. It was how they lost. Those final two minutes were peppered with confusion on the sideline and poor execution on the field. TSU took advantage, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds left.

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College Football Preview '09: Southern University Jaguars

SU Jaguars head coach Pete Richardson (16th year, 128-57)

To listen to the media types covering Southern University's football team, the Jaguars sound ready for prime time. Optimism abounds in the Southern camp, with a lot of the key cogs among 17 returning starters that were a couple of close losses away from playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference title game. Even venerable coach Pete Richardson, entering his 17th season with the Jaguars, broke out of his stoic façade to voice high hopes for his team.

"I'm excited to see what kind of team we can have," Richardson said. "We've got a lot of guys back who have been through some battles for us, and we're coming into the season pretty healthy. A lot of these guys worked hard, stayed here during the summer, and I think a lot of them have really matured in a year."

Still, all the talk of going from the "Bluff to Birmingham" for the SWAC Championship Game might be a little premature. After all, the Jags haven't claimed a SWAC title since 2003 and haven't even won their own division since 2004. Last season, SU had to win two of their last three - one in overtime -- just to finish with a winning 6-5 record in 2008, and the squad showed a disturbing knack for self-destructing at crucial times last year. Fourth-quarter losses to Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M punched a hole in what could have been a banner year.

Jaguar senior All-SWAC QB Bryant Lee #16

2009 JAGUAR SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at UL Lafayette (6 p.m.)
Sept. 12 Central State (OH) (6 p.m.)
Sept. 19 Tennessee State (6 p.m.)
Sept. 26 *Alcorn State (6 p.m.)
Oct. 3 *at Jackson State (6 p.m.)
Oct. 17 Fort Valley State (5:30 p.m.)
Oct. 22 *Prairie View A&M (6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 31 *at Ark.-Pine Bluff (2:30 p.m.)
Nov. 14 *vs. Alabama State (2:30 p.m., Mobile, Ala.)
Nov. 28 *vs. Grambling (1 p.m., New Orleans)
Dec. 5 *at Texas Southern (1 p.m.)

Home games in bold. *denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference games

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Southern Jaguars quarterback Lee back at work

Southern quarterback Bryant Lee went through this drill before, so he’s better equipped a year later to handle the situation. A year ago, as SU went through spring practice, Lee was limited to non-contact work as he recovered from wrist surgeries to fix a broken bone in his hand. Lee went on to be named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year. This time, he’s recovering from knee surgery and is, according to SU coach Pete Richardson “about 80 percent” after beginning conditioning work a few weeks ago.

“I think he’s (benefited from last year’s experience,” Richardson said. “He understands the system.” Lee, who will be a senior in the fall, threw for 2,682 yards and 20 touchdowns against only seven interceptions, while completing 61.6 percent of his passes last season. Lee has thrown for 5,579 yards in his career and chases Eric Randall (1992-95), who threw for 7,826 yards, for the school’s all-time passing mark.

All-SWAC senior QB Bryant Lee

As Southern began the first of 15 spring practices Thursday (and concluding April 18), Lee was back out on the field. “I wanted him to be in situations to go through practice, to develop chemistry with our young receivers,” Richardson said. “But we’ll keep him out of contact situations. We don’t want to put him in situations where he can take undue shots, and also we don’t want to rush it.”

Video: Southern & LSU begin spring football

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SU Holloway, others have chance to star

Southern University junior defensive end Don Holloway is so much like the rest of his teammates. He looks the part. He’s spent his time as the understudy. And his number is being called. This season, how so many guys like Holloway, defensive tackle Frank Harry, wide receiver Corderious Gregory and safety Anthony Wells fare, will determine if Southern is to make a run for its first Southwestern Athletic Conference title since 2003.

There are enough established players, like quarterback Bryant Lee and defensive end Vince Lands, who helped SU emerge from two consecutive losing seasons to an 8-3 mark last season. But as SU opens its season at the University of Houston at 6 p.m. today at Robertson Stadium, there is the next line of players who will need to elevate their games to make their mark.

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SU monitoring effects of scheduling FBS teams

After years of not playing Football Bowl Subdivision teams, Southern University will open this season and next season on the road at schools with more scholarships and bigger coffers. This could be the start of a trend or, if SU coach Pete Richardson’s vision is true, be the spark to start an A.W. Mumford Classic in the future. That’s just something we have to look at as an institution, to see which direction we’re going to go,” Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said.

This season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference, which plays in the Championship Subdivision, arranged its conference schedule to open in September and shortened the commitment of SWAC games from seven to nine, so its 10 teams could seek more non-conference games. Five SWAC teams are playing FBS teams this season: Southern at Houston and Grambling at Nevada on Saturday, Alabama A&M at Louisiana-Monroe and Alcorn State at Troy on Sept. 13 and Alabama State at Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 20.

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Youngsters star at SU camp

For a Southern team that has such a strong core of veterans, the overriding theme of Camp Richardson XVI was, nonetheless, on how all the new guys did. Unlike in leaner past years, there were plenty of newcomers, from freshmen to former nonqualifiers. And while the veterans were such a known commodity, the youngsters showed they weren’t just camp bodies, that they can make an impact this season and in seasons to come.

From the first day of camp, the infusion of numbers and size transformed an offensive line that was a thin, patchwork unit a year ago. Then, the running backs emerged to turn what was a pre-camp concern into what could be the best stable of backs in the 16-season Pete Richardson era — even with minor injuries to the two most veteran rushers.

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Southern's first team sets tone early

Southern Jaguars head football coach Pete Richardson

Kendrick Smith set the tone for Southern’s scrimmage Saturday by taking a screen pass to the right, slipping between the blocks nicely set up ahead of him and speeding away for an 80-yard gain. What’s the tone? The first stringers who have grown together over the years and helped SU to a bounce-back 8-3 record a year ago are ahead of the second stringers.

As the Jaguars went more than 120 plays Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium, the first teams worked exclusively against their second-team counterparts. The first-team offense, even with center Ramon Chinyoung (groin), fullback Alvin Fosselman (hamstring) and running back Brian Threat (hamstring) out and Smith (hand) limited to two touches, looked smooth working against the second-team defense.

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Blend of vets, newcomers pleases SU coach Richardson

A host of players — from a strong group of newcomers to veterans picking up their games — have made Camp Richardson XVI a strong one. “Overall, I’m real pleased with the first-year guys, with the attitude they have,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “They’re aggressive. They’re forcing people to step up.”

Among those newcomers drawing praise are running backs Byron Williams and Jerry Joseph, wide receiver LaQuinton Evans, offensive linemen Lee Almanza and Chris Browne and defensive linemen Ken Frankson and Kennon Gilliard, both from Yates High in Houston. Along with those true freshmen, that group also includes sophomore running back Silas Gibbs.

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Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls



Jaguars 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 30 at Houston 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 Tennessee State
(John Merritt Classic
LP Field, Nashville) 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 MISS. VALLEY 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Alcorn State* 5 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Jackson State* 6 p.m.

Oct. 11 TEXAS SOUTHERN* 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 FLORIDA A&M 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Prairie View*
(Reliant Stadium, Houston) 6 p.m.

Nov. 1 UAPB* 5 p.m.

Nov. 15 Alabama State*
(Gulf Coast Classic
Ladd-Pebbles Stadium; Mobile, Ala.) 6 p.m.

Nov. 29 Grambling*
(Bayou Classic, Superdome, N.O.) 1 p.m.

* Southwestern Athletic Conference games
Home games in CAPS

Deeper Jaguars hitting stride

One week into Camp Richardson XVI, and Southern University coaches still like what they’ve been seeing. “It’s starting to come around on both sides, especially offensively,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “I thought the defense would be further ahead (in pace), but the offense is coming around.”

While the entire team has benefited from improved numbers and an infusion of youth, both the offensive and defensive lines have been helped most — far from the spare, patchwork jobs of a year ago. That has given Southern a strengthened core.

As a program, SU evolved to an 8-3 mark last season, and the push is clearly on to hone a more veteran group, whereas recent camps might have gone slower as coaches concentrated more on teaching.

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Southern: Running backs coming on strong

Jaguars RB Brian Threat

Southern University junior running back Brian Threat, who took a financial accounting exam Monday at Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College, reported to camp and took a physical Tuesday. Threat is expected back at practice today. He said he was able to take the final exam early, as the class concludes Friday. He said he didn’t want to miss anymore practice.

Threat (45 carries, 172 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Kendrick Smith (38 carries, 161 yards) are the most veteran running backs in camp as the team replaces All-Southwestern Athletic Conference second-teamer Darren Coates. “It helps as far as experience-wise, but the younger guys are picking it up,” SU coach Pete Richardson said.

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SU set to hit practice fields

Southern University will start Camp Richardson XVI this afternoon. Ready? “Pete’s going to be ready,” junior quarterback Bryant Lee said of Southern’s football coach, Pete Richardson, now entering his 16th season with the Jaguars. And what about the players?

“We’ve been working hard in the offseason for this day,” said Lee, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. “So we’re ready.” “We’ve been working hard in the offseason for this day,” said Lee, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. “So we’re ready.”

SU went 8-3 last season and is picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Western Division. That’s where the Jaguars finished last season. SU last won the SWAC in 2003 and last won the Western Division in ’04.

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SU defense coping with personnel losses

Southern University head football coach Pete Richardson is starting his 16th season leading the Jaguars.

Southern’s defense will have to deal with several losses even before the season begins. Junior defensive tackle Dwayne Charles and junior cornerback/return specialist Ronald Wade are academically ineligible and won’t play this season, Southern coach Pete Richardson said.

Also, linebackers D.J. Bolton (eight tackles) and Corey Ray (11 tackles) may be out with medical issues, Richardson said. Plus, defensive tackle Calvin Cunningham, who had one tackle and would have been a redshirt freshman this season, has decided to transfer, Richardson said. Cunningham, from Winston-Salem, N.C., missed spring practice after shoulder surgery.

Richardson said the school was also checking to see if sophomore end Ted Jones, who had eight tackles last season, would be eligible.

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SU reports for preseason camp

Excerpt:

“Moving day means it’s time to go to work.” As far as the newcomers, SU had a strong showing. Southern had 18 of its 23 signees show up on campus Thursday. That’s one of the best percentages of incoming freshmen to show up on the first day in the 16-year tenure of Richardson. “You get excited about the first day, especially with the first-year individuals,” Richardson said. “They’ll be here ready to go. They’re excited to play college football.”

Five recruits will be non-qualifiers and, as such, will not be able to play or practice this school year: West Feliciana High defensive back/wide receiver Tim Berry, McDonogh 35 (New Orleans) High offensive tackle Kennon Bradford, Northside (Lafayette) High wide receiver Ryan Broussard, Kentwood defensive back/wide receiver Alfred Franklin and Madison (Houston) High offensive lineman Odell Pippins.

Richardson said ....

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SU Jaguars to report for camp today

SU Jaguars head football coach Pete Richardson signed a three year contract extension after leading the Jaguars to an 8-3 record in 2007.

Southern coach Pete Richardson is looking forward to the actual start of Camp Richardson XVI. These last few days, as his staff focused on lists of players and all sorts of paperwork related to his team checking in, aren’t his favorite. “It’s rough,” Richardson said. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, Southern’s football players report to campus.

The last few days, SU’s staff has been working through all the details related to having a football program — checking grades, assigning housing, making sure meal plans were in place. Richardson said running back Brian Threat, offensive lineman Myles Williams and defensive back Justin Foster, are expected to report late. Camp Richardson XVI starts with the first preseason practice Saturday afternoon.

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Southern Jaguars Coach Richardson not satisfied after first week

Southern coach Pete Richardson didn’t leave satisfied as the Jaguars closed their first week of spring practice by running 30 plays Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“We were inconsistent, as far as not finishing on plays,” Richardson said. “Some of that is coming from conditioning, with some of them going a lot of plays. But some of the upperclassmen I’m not real pleased with, as far as going full speed.”

The Jaguars, who donned full gear for the first time, ran 10 plays from their own 20-yard line, then 10 from their own 5 and then 10 from the defense’s 20. The ball was never advanced.

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