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DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Word gets around quick in the coaching profession.
Even before former Bethune-Cookman offensive coordinator Brad Bernard was hired as head football coach at Edward Waters on Monday, his phone started ringing.
"Some people I hadn't talked to in 12 years were calling to congratulate me and sometimes asking for a job," Bernard said. Bernard will be officially introduced today at the NAIA school in Jacksonville. And then he will begin making his own calls to put together a coaching staff. One of the first calls he will make, Bernard said, will be to old boss, former B-CU head coach Alvin Wyatt.
"Everyone in America would like to talk to that man," Bernard said of the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. "He's a great head coach. Hopefully he can give me some guidance."
Edward Waters College will announce the hiring of Brad Bernard as its new head football coach at a news conference today. Bernard has been offensive coordinator for Bethune-Cookman and Howard University. He also coached at two local high schools, Raines and Mandarin.
He played at and graduated from Georgia Southern where he helped lead the Eagles to the conference championship three years. He led Bethune-Cookman to two Division 1-AA playoff appearances and to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 2002.
Jackson State has agreed to play Concordia College at home in the 2011 football season opener, athletic director Bob Braddy confirmed Saturday. The deal is not finalized and details of the contract were not available. The full 2011 football schedule is expected to be released this week.
Concordia, a historically black college in Selma, Ala., fielded its first football team in 2005 and plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the lowest level for four-year schools. The Hornets were beaten 35-0 by Grambling last season.
JSU's basketball team played Concordia in an exhibition game this season. JSU beat the Hornets 97-54.
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Credits:
1. JSU Sonic Boom Band: Written, produced and edited by JSU Mass Communications seniors Tiffany Edmondson and voiced by Candace Sims, Videographer: UTUBEJSU22
2. JSU Sonic Boom Band performance at 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational; Videographer: Jarquavius101
A new powerhouse has emerged in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This is a good thing!
Bethune-Cookman has beaten South Carolina State, breaking the Bulldogs string of 21 consecutive conference wins. The Wildcats in their 14-0 shutout Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg also broke the Bulldogs 13 game home winning streak.
With the win, the Wildcats are tied with the Hampton Pirates for the conference lead with a 4-0 record. B-CU is scheduled to play the Pirates on November 6 in Hampton. The Bulldogs drop into a second place tie with Florida A&M with a 2-1 conference mark.
The Bulldogs have little time to recover as Hampton is scheduled for Saturday at Dawson Stadium in an ESPNU nationally televised cable game. Both the Bulldogs and Rattlers will need some help from the other MEAC teams, if they expect to overtake the Wildcats for the championship.
The Wildcats (6-0/4-0 MEAC) will play at North Carolina Central in Durham next Saturday in a non-conference game. The Eagles (2-4) fell to the upstart Georgia State Panthers 20-17 in overtime at the Georgia Dome.
Who ARE Those Guys on the B-CU Coaching Staff?
For starters, 39 year old first year head coach Brian Jenkins has never served as a head football coach at any level -- not even Pop Warner, junior high or high school. Jenkins was a career Division I position coach, serving 15 years at a number of schools as either wide receivers, running back or special teams coach at: Rutgers (2009), Louisiana-Lafayette (2002-08), NFL Europe - Frankfort Galaxy (2001), Bowling Green (2000), Eastern Illinois (1995-1999) and Western Kentucky (1994).
Coach Jenkins played wide receiver and running back at the University of Cincinnati and earned an associate’s degree in Education and bachelor’s degree in social work in 1993.
Jenkins is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and played football at Dillard High School under a renowned high school football coach, the late Otis Gray. Jenkins played on the 1986 and 1989 Dillard High School State Championship teams with NFL running back Lorenzo White. For you football historians, Gray is the father of former Florida A&M University and Jacksonville Jaguars star quarterback Quinn Gray Sr., who also played for his father at Dillard High School.
Nothing in Jenkins vitae shed any light to his instant success with B-CU other than the assembly of a great coach staff with great teaching skills, and superb chemistry with the players.
Offensive Coordinator Mark Orlando's Speedway O scheme has the Wildcats ready to play every game while their opponents look totally confused and unprepared for the no-huddle offense. His scheme is very similar to the legendary "Gulf Coast Offense" ran by former FAMU Coach Billy Joe during the 1990's on his way to several FCS playoffs berths.
Orlando won the 1981 Division I-AA National Championship as FAMU's offensive coordinator during six seasons with the Rattlers; five SWAC Championships and three HBCU National Championships during his tenure at Southern University under former Jaguars head coach Pete Richardson.
The jury is still out on Coach Jenkins, but we can confirm he is a great recruiter of Florida talent, a tremendous leader and exceptional facilitator of proven coaching talent. That in itself is a major plus up for MEAC Football -- that now has a four- headed monster in the Wildcats, Pirates, Bulldogs and Rattlers, battling for the MEAC Football Championship and FCS playoff berth.
Surprise of the Week:Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault throwing a 28 yard TD with two seconds left in the game for a 49-45 Tiger victory over Southern. Therriault has passed for 2,087 yards and 20 touchdowns in six games. He has only 3 interceptions on the year and has rushed for 3 TDs.
Grambling State has hitched its wagon to senior running back Frank Warren who recorded his second 200 yard rushing game of the season. The Tigers' (5-1, 5-0 SWAC) earned a 38-28 win, as Warren rushed for 202 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 carries, and caught a 9 yard pass for a 5th touchdown.
ASU true-freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge accounted for 445 yards of offense for the Alcorn State Braves. Bridge passed for 4 touchdowns and 404 yards but had 2 INT.
GSU's Warren is the second leading rusher in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Now, the rest of the story...
MEAC #23 Bethune Cookman 14, #9 South Carolina State 0 Florida A&M 31, Savannah State 0 Hampton 7, Norfolk State 6 Delaware State 31, North Carolina A&T 26 Georgia State 20, North Carolina Central 17 (O.T.)
SWAC Grambling State 38, Alcorn State 28 Prairie View A&M 45, Lincoln (Mo.) 12 Arkansas Pine Bluff 21, Alabama A&M 14 Jackson State 49, Southern 45
OVC Jacksonville State 24, Tennessee State 0
SIAC Fort Valley State 26, Tuskegee 0 Morehouse 38, Stillman 34 Miles 20, Lane 6 Albany State 27, Benedict 10 Clark Atlanta 19, Kentucky State 7
CIAA Bowie State 24, Lincoln (Pa.) 18 Chowan 31, Saint Paul's 20 Virginia Union 44, Johnson C. Smith 21 Shaw 34, Fayetteville State 27 Winston Salem State 58, Livingstone 0 Virginia State 15, Elizabeth City State 10 (Thursday)
Others Panhandle State 23, Texas College 14 West Chester 48, Cheyney 34 West Liberty State 48, West Virginia State 26
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Brian Jenkins' first game as Bethune-Cookman's head coach could not have played out any better had it been choreographed. Fans squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder in the home-side grandstands at Municipal Stadium to watch Jenkins' debut Saturday and were treated to B-CU rolling up 635 yards in beating undermanned Edward Waters 70-10.
It was the most points the Wildcats have ever scored in a coach's first game. And for the most part Jenkins was satisfied. "It was our first win and hopefully a sign of more to come, but we still have a lot of work to do," he said.
Jenkins chewed out his team late in the game when he felt like his players were losing their poise, and he was unhappy with his team's seven penalties, especially a personal foul and a delay-of-game call. But those are things that probably won't be remembered in the long run.
With their hands waving in the air, hundreds of Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats shake their hips in unison and repeatedly chant "How low can you go?" as they shimmy closer and closer to the ground.
In just two weeks, about 320 band students, including dancers and flag corps, have learned routines and dozens of songs leading up to their first performance Saturday at Municipal Stadium, where the football team plays Edward Waters College.
"We move at a fast pace," said Donovan Wells, director of bands at Bethune-Cookman University. For about 80 freshmen who play instruments, they first had to pass an audition. Once accepted earlier this year, they received 26 songs to learn before practice started Aug. 16. In all, the band members learn about 55 songs they perform throughout the season.
For more than a quarter of a century, University of Maryland Eastern Shore was recognized as a football powerhouse among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. From 1946 to 1970, UMES had a combined win-loss record of 142 wins, 36 losses and 7 ties or an astounding 76.8 winning percentage. In addition, UMES produced six (6) undefeated seasons during the period from 1947 to 1960. Then, UMES was known as Maryland State College from 1948 to 1970, and the name became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, thereafter.
No one person was more instrumental in UMES’s success than Vernon “Skip” McCain. The history of UMES’s football program is inextricably linked to Coach McCain’s tenure. During his tenure Coach McCain had a phenomenal success record of 101 wins, 16 losses and 5 ties (1948-63). Those who knew him say Coach McCain was the embodiment of the teacher-coach. From 1948 to 1953, he was the most successful coach in the country. Coach McCain, himself a student of the game, did not miss many coaching clinics during his tenure.
In 1950, he was selected “Coach of the Year” by the Pigskin Club of Washington. Coach McCain’s dedication to understanding the deeper qualities and disciplines of the game laid the foundation for what many have called the “Golden Years of Hawk Athletics.” In addition to being head football coach, Coach McCain was also the head basketball coach and athletic director, thus, giving him almost total control over the UMES athletic budget and pool of athletic talent.
Vernon “Skip” McCain was inducted into the Hawk Hall of Fame in 1973. If only the ESPN television cameras and the national media had found their way to the eastern shore of Maryland and the tiny village of Princess Anne! What a story they would have uncovered!!! The entire nation would have discovered a football powerhouse that broke both racial barriers and the competitive spirit of the teams they played. Everyone would have known the name, Skip McCain. It is a shame that only a few do.
America would have recognized that this humble, 5-foot-5 man, who never cussed or missed church, who also had a higher winning percentage (83.7%) for a 16-year period than some of his most famous coaching contemporaries recorded during the same era -- men such as Woody Hayes of Ohio State University (74.3%), Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama (72.7%), and Eddie Robinson at Grambling State University. But, the 1950’s were a time when news of the exploits of Historically Black Colleges and Universities rarely escaped the confines of their own communities. And the Internet was not invented, nor cable television, nor exclusive sports networks in radio and television that we take for granted today.
UMES achievements on the gridiron included six (6) undefeated seasons, four (4) of which were perfect seasons in 1949, 1950, 1952, and 1955. When Coach McCain came to Maryland State College (MSC) in 1948, he was to serve as the head football coach, head basketball coach and the athletic director. It became apparent that this man could build winners no matter what the sport. While concentrating on his football duties, he directed the basketball team to a record of 76 wins and 11 losses from 1948 to 1952.
In 2006, Coach McCain finally got his due when he was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana. Coach McCain touched the lives of hundreds of young men to whom he will always be remembered simply as “Coach.”
UMES Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Shell
As a result, during the period from 1946 to 1970, over twenty-four (24) UMES student-athletes went on to pursue professional careers in the National Football League. In addition, several others went on to successful careers in the Continental and Canadian Football Leagues. The most notable of these athletes is Art Shell, eight (8) time Pro-Bowl player, NFL Hall of Fame Player, and the first African American head coach of the modern era of professional football with the Los Angeles Raiders (now the Oakland Raiders).
UMES Football Legends
Roger Brown, DT, Detroit Lions' Fearsome Foursome, Los Angeles Rams (1960-69), College Football Hall of Fame
Willie Belton, RB, Atlanta Falcons/St. Louis Cardinals (1970-74)
Earl Christy, CB/DB/HB, New York Jets (1966-68)
Moses Denson, RB, Washington Redskins (1974-75)
James "Jim" Duncan, CB/S, Baltimore Colts (1969-71)
Curtiss Gentry, CB, Chicago Bears (1966-68)
Douglas Goodwin, FB/RB, Buffalo Bills/Atlanta Falcons, (1966, 68)
Gerald Irons (M.B.A/J.D., Univ. of Chicago),DT/LB, Oakland Raiders (1970-79)
Arthur L. Laster, T, Buffalo Bills (1970)
Roy Kirksey, G, New York Jets/Philadelphia Eagles (1971-74)
Arthur "Art" Shell, OT, Oakland Raiders (1968-1982) Pro Football Hall of Fame
Robert "Bob" Taylor, DE/DT, New York Giants (1963-1964)
William Allen "Billy" Thompson, CB/S Denver Broncos (1969-1981)
Mack Alston, Jr., TE, Washington Redskins (1970-1980)
William Arthur "Bill" Belk, DE/DT, San Francisco 49ers (1968-1974)
Emerson Boozer, HB/RB, New York Jets (1966-1975), College Football Hall of Fame
Marsh Cropper, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (1967-69)
Charles Stukes, CB, Baltimore Colts/Los Angeles Rams (1967-74)
Carl Hairston, DE/DT, Philadelphia Eagles/Cleveland Browns/Phoenix Cardinals (1976-1990)
Ray Hayes, FB, Minnesota Vikings (1961)
Anthony Jones, HB/TE, Washington Redskins/San Diego Chargers (1984-88)
Paul Roberts threw five touchdown passes and Mississippi Valley State beat Texas College 61-6 on Saturday. Roberts passed for 329 yards and the Delta Devils (2-2) amassed 549 total yards of offense. Roberts, who is averaging 258 yards passing in the past three weeks, connected with Cameron Russ for touchdown passes of 4 and 23 yards in the first half. Stephen Robert scored on runs of 15 and 3 yards for the Delta Devils. MVSU had scored a total of 17 points in its first three games of the season. Texas College (0-4), an NAIA team, was led by X.Z. Bloodsaw, who scored on a 4-yard run. He was 20-for-32 for 137 yards and threw one interception.
Mississippi Valley State got what it expected - and what it badly needed. MVSU saw its struggling offense finally get on track against a hapless Texas College team in a 61-6 homecoming victory in front of a sun-splashed crowd of 4,987 at Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena Saturday. The Delta Devil offense had scored just 17 points in the team's first three games but found the going quite easy against the Steer defense, which came in allowing an average of 76 points a contest. Senior quarterback Paul Roberts carved up the Steers by completing 24-of-35 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns with one interception in three quarters of play.
"We found some offensive continuity that we had been lacking, and that was good to see," Valley coach Willie Totten said. "Paul really played well and did a good job of distributing the ball." MVSU, which came in last in the SWAC in total offense and scoring offense, finished with 549 total yards. Totten knows things will get much tougher this week on the road against Alcorn, but he believes this win will be a confidence-booster for his guys."We can build off this. Hopefully, it will get us ready for Alcorn. That's a big game for us coming up," Totten said.Texas College, a NAIA team from Tyler, Texas, falls to 0-5 and has been outscored 348-12 so far this season.
Harrison Ellison kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired to give Concordia College, of Selma, Ala., a 23-21 victory over Savannah State University on Saturday night in the Southern Georgia Heritage Classic. As the ball sailed toward the goal post and through the uprights, Ellison was mobbed by his jubilant teammates. Several Savannah State players dropped to their knees or fell flat on their backs and stomachs. Some Tigers shed tears as they watched the Hornets, an NAIA-level team, celebrate in front of a nearly empty David Dupree Field at Lucy C. Laney Memorial Stadium. The official attendance was listed as 1,333.
SSU QB Kurvin Curry avoids Concordia College defense.
Before the final play, Savannah State called a timeout with 4.8 seconds remaining in an attempt to shake Ellison, who missed a 25-yard field goal wide to the left in the third quarter. As Savannah State and Concordia players huddled with their coaches on their respective sidelines, Ellison remained the lone player on the field. He peeked up at the goal post a couple of times as he waited for play to resume.
Ethan Conley kept a running diary of Grambling's 13-2 win over Langston on Saturday:
FIRST QUARTER
15:00 It's 85 degrees and sunny at Robinson Stadium, and we're poised for a titanic matchup between two explosive offenses ... ah, who I am kidding?
This should be a blowout in GSU's favor.
11:59: Grambling'sDezmondSpivey boots the first punt of the game. You'll understand the significance soon enough.
11:43: Grambling dodges a bullet. Langston tight end Donald Hill was wide open behind the Grambling defense only he never knew it. Hill never turned around to look for Danny Lowery's pass, which fell harmlessly to the ground. Had he caught the ball Hill may have coasted to the end zone untouched. Unfortunately, this won't come close to being the most inept offensive play of the game.
9:41 : Kiare Thompson's 32-yard punt return gives Grambling the ball at the Langston 26.
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Attendance: 5,121 (26%) at Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA (Capacity: 19,600).
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas- The Prairie View A&M Panthers scored early and often in a 53-0 rout of the Texas College Steers on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Blackshear Field. The win marks the Panthers largest margin of victory over an opponent since 1955.
The Panthers took a 19-0 advantage over the Steers into intermission before erupting for 34 second half points fueled by a relentless rushing attack and success via the airwaves. Defensive end Quinton Spears put the Panthers’ first points on the board in the second half on a 10-yard fumble recovery which he subsequently returned for a touchdown.
The Panthers defense would add more points to the scoreboard as defensive back Jason Fobbs returned a interception 48-yards for a touchdown. PVAMU quarterback Mark Spivey had another productive night behind center as he threw for 181 yards and one touchdown. Spivey’s TD pass was a 44-yard connection with wide receiver Shaun Stephens at the 8:10 mark of the third quarter.
