Delaware State Releases Head Football Coach

DOVER, Del. - Delaware State University Athletics Director Derek Carter announced December 2, 2010 that, effective immediately, Al Lavan will not be retained in the capacity of head football coach.

The DSU athletics director said after three consecutive losing seasons, "it is time for a change." Carter added that current defensive coordinator Rayford Petty has been appointed as the team's interim head coach.

"While we can note that there have been some successes during the Lavan era - most notably the 2007 conference championship - the team has not been as competitive following that accomplishment as we believe it should have been," Carter said.

The Al Lavan era included a 63-6 loss at Michigan on Oct 17, 2009, before 106,304 fans. In order to play the Michigan "money game" for $550,000, DSU forfeited a MEAC scheduled league game against North Carolina A&T-- for a rare two defeat day.

"While we hope to build on what we have seen is possible for the Hornet football program, presently we have determined that we need to move the team in a new direction," the DSU athletic director said. "We thank Coach Lavan for the dedication he has exhibited over these seven years."

Lavan ends his DSU tenure with a record of 41-36. His best coaching season took place in 2007 when he led DSU to a championship 8-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record (10-2 overall), which earned the team its first-ever post-season appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Over the last three seasons under Lavan, the Hornets had a combined record of 12-20, which included the recently concluded 2010 season record of 3-8.

Carter said a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

Delaware State Hornets football: Lavan shocked by firing

Lavan ends DSU era with 41-36 record 

DOVER, DE -- Over the past seven seasons, Al Lavan took Delaware State University's football team to heights it had never known. But the depths of the past three seasons cost Lavan his job Thursday when athletic director Derek Carter announced the head coach had been fired.

"It is time for a change," Carter said. "It's hard anytime you have to make these decisions, but you have to look at the big picture in trying to make the right decision."

Lavan said the move surprised him. "It was not on my mind at all," Lavan said. "I heard it [Thursday] morning for first time. It was unexpected."

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