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Showing posts with label NCAA FCS Division I Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA FCS Division I Football. Show all posts
Texas Southern University president Dr. John M. Rudley and athletic director Charles McClelland are the key drivers behind the shared new Houston Dynamo Soccer/TSU football stadium. The Tigers total lifetime investment -- $2.5 million. Sweet deal!!
HOUSTON, TX - Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, co-owners of Major League Soccer Houston Dynamo, told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday the team's new downtown soccer-specific stadium will open in June of 2012. This is the first time Dynamo ownership has been able to nail down when the stadium will officially open.
"We're going to move in by June of 2012," said Leiweke. "So the paperwork is being wrapped up. Every agreement is being signed. We're out (Wednesday night) starting to sell the naming rights. Our bids are in. Our design is done. We hired a construction team. We hired a project manager.
"This is a $110 million dollar project. We've have a cost-certainty on budget. Now we get on with the task of making sure that we protect the best interests of the Dynamo and Texas Southern University."
The project will be financed with an estimated $75 million from Dynamo ownership. The city of Houston and Harris County are providing $10 million each, that will be funded by taxes generated by the stadium complex. The city (Houston) is providing the land which cost around $15 million.
TSU athletic director Charles McClelland said the school has entered the project as a co-tenant and will make a one-time payment of $2.5 million for the full use of the new stadium.
“We’re gonna have our own locker rooms. We’re gonna share the sales for concessions, on ticket sales so it’s gonna be the home of the Texas Southern University Fighting Tigers,” said McClelland.
Other than the Labor Day Classic with SWAC champions Prairie View A&M University Panthers, TSU has been a transient program for over 30 years. The Tigers currently play their home football games at a high school stadium.
The Labor Day Classic is played at the NFL's Houston Texans Reliant Stadium which has a seating capacity of 71,500.
Upon completion of the "unnamed" Dynamo/TSU stadium, the Tigers will become the envy of the Southwestern Athletic Conference as co-tenant of this 22,000 seat state-of-art facility with luxury suites. A rail line will literally run right next to the stadium that will have fan friendly in terms of concessions and restrooms, and parking and access.
The stadium will be located deep within downtown Houston, in the East End on prime real estate as the Dynamo and the TSU Tigers continue their quest to cement their programs in the hearts of Houston sports fans.
There is certainly a brighter day ahead for TSU with Coach Johnnie Cole's timely resurrection of the Tigers football program.
TSU resides in the 10th largest television market in the U.S., and has the 8th largest population. This is a good, fertile market for high school athletes and musicians to fuel the Tigers showcase Ocean of Soul Marching Band and athletic programs. One could accurately say--the sky is the limit on how good the Tigers can become with their new digs.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — How often does history repeat itself? It depends on the piece of history in question. In the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, released Tuesday at the league’s annual media day, voters predicted that Prairie View and Alabama A&M — last year’s division champions — will meet again at Legion Field in the championship game.
As for Southern ... well, voters apparently aren’t sold on a quick turnaround from first-year coach Stump Mitchell. The Jaguars will finish fourth, according to the poll. “That’s fine,” Mitchell said. “We know that others’ expectations for us aren’t the same as our expectations for us. We’re just going to focus on playing each game and trying to win them all.” Of course, SWAC preseason polls are not often clairvoyant.
In 2006, voters selected Alabama A&M and Southern as favorites to win their respective divisions. They were half-correct: Alabama A&M won the Eastern Division and reached the championship game, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff won the West. The following summer, Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff were preseason favorites. Voters went 0-for-2, as Jackson State and Grambling reached the SWAC title game.
Karl Morgan won't say it, but I will. Morgan, the first-year head football coach at Mississippi Valley State, has the most difficult job in football. Believe this: If anybody has a tougher job, you don't want anywhere near it. Neither does Knute Rockne or Bear Bryant. Why is Morgan's job so hard? Let us count the ways:
•He replaces the legendary Willie Totten, whose name is on the Valley stadium, but who won only 31 games in eight seasons at the Valley.
•Oh, that stadium? Morgan's first team can't play in it. It's condemned and will have to be repaired. Valley will play its "home" games 45 miles away at Greenville High School.
•Totten's last team finished 3-8 overall and won just one SWAC game. Obviously, better talent is needed, but Morgan got the job two weeks before signing day. In other words, pickings were slim.
•Division I-AA teams are allowed 63 football scholarships, and most of Valley's opponents award that many. Valley is limited to just above 50.
Norfolk State's free safety Terrell Whitehead #9 is the Spartans first-ever three-time Division I FCS All-American. How this 6-1/196 gem of a defensive player was overlooked and not drafted in 255 picks is a complete mystery to MEAC fans. (photo by Mark Sutton)
We are currently in the midst of the 2010 mini-camp for the Jaguars and unfortunately I am unable to attend. So instead I'll defer to the judgement of those that were able to attend, namely BCC's own Alfie Crow. In his last post, reviewing day 1 of mini-camp, Alfie singled out Norfolk State safety Terrell Whitehead as one of the undrafted free agents that has a chance to make the final roster:
A free agent rookie to keep an eye on is Norfolk State safety Terell Whitehead. He intercepted a Luke McCown pass during what was supposed to be one-on-one drills. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker told him to jump the route if he could on the play, which Whitehead did, and was abruptly met with a "Hey man! Not fair!" by the intercepted quarterback.
*** Terrell Whitehead was the safety to backup Jaguars CB Don Carey at Norfolk State for three years and was a very successful one at that. Whitehead was injured for the first two games of his freshman season, found the field as a reserve for the next five games and started his last four games. From then on, Whitehead was nothing short of a superstar for Norfolk State. In both his sophomore and junior seasons he was named to the 1st team All-MEAC and the 3rd team FCS All-American teams. In his senior season, Whitehead earned a spot on the 1st team All-MEAC and the 1st team FCS All-American teams. He remains the only player in NSU history to earn spots on the All-MEAC and the FCS All-American teams in three years.
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Pick your passion: tailgate or tailback. Food meets football in a daylong exhibition of both at N.C. A&T's annual Blue vs. Gold spring football game today at Aggie Stadium. Parking lot gates will open at 9:30 a.m. for the first Best Tailgate in Aggieland Cook Off grilling contest, which will be judged at 1 p.m. The spring game will kick off inside the stadium at 2 p.m.
A&T will play a traditional intrasquad scrimmage, matching its first-team offense and defense against second-teamers, coach Alonzo Lee said. "It's going to be good, solid competition," Lee said. "You hope that your first team goes out there and takes charge, but that second unit feels like they've got something to prove. They're excited. I know the coaches are excited, and they've been game-planning. It should be fun."
The Aggies are coming off a 4-6 record -- 5-6 including a forfeit over Delaware State -- in Lee's first season as head coach. A&T was 3-31 in the previous three seasons and hasn't had a winning record since 2003.
S.C. State's Coach Buddy Pough is becoming a bigger name in South Carolina football than his previous mentor-employer at the University of South Carolina, Coach Steve Spurrier. Coach Pough was named the 2009 Palmetto State College Coach of the Year, amongst many other awards. (Photo: Spurrier and Pough at mid-field following hard fought 38-14 win by Gamecocks over Bulldogs in 2009).
After nine years, the job is still fun for South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. What’s not to love about coaching his alma mater in his hometown? From leading the Bulldogs to three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, two Top 15 finishes in the national Football Championship Subdivision rankings and a black college football national championship, Pough has reached many of his goals since succeeding Willie Jeffries in 2001.
Pough’s 67-26 record after eight seasons is virtually identical to the legendary Jeffries’ after nine seasons (66-27-4). Nevertheless, Pough begins preparation for Year Nine of his tenure with the start of spring practice Monday with many unattained goals on his agenda.
In this week’s Sunday Conversation, Pough discusses the program, life in Orangeburg and what to expect during the spring.
Florida A&M University has released its football schedule for the upcoming 2010 football season. To say the least, it has balance for the Northeast Corridor alums and for those that seldom travel outside of Florida and Georgia. The season opens on the road with the Rattlers traveling to Sun Life Stadium to face the University of Miami Hurricanes on September 2. After receiving a much needed $600,000 payoff from Miami, the Rattlers hit the road to face MEAC conference foe Delaware State Hornets on September 11, in Dover, Delaware.
The following week, September 18, the Rattlers are on the road again to play Howard University in Washington, D.C. Then, its off to Atlanta for the annual get together with rival Tennessee State at the Georgia Dome on September 25. in the Atlanta Football Classic.
Only four home contests are scheduled with the Rattlers facing the three challenger for the MEAC crown at Bragg Memorial Stadium. First up is a home date on October 2, with 2-Time MEAC champion, South Carolina State Bulldogs. This game will decide the MEAC championship, not that anyone is looking past the other conference foes. An open date is scheduled for October 2, followed by an October 16, home contest with FCS Independent Savannah State Tigers.
The next home game is scheduled for October 30, with the defensive-minded Morgan State Bears. This is FAMU's homecoming and it always is a difficult contest when the Rattlers and Bears get together. The final home date is November 13, when Joe Taylor's former team, the Hampton Pirates visits Tallahassee for the big payback.
The only surprise on the schedule is Norfolk State scheduling the Rattlers for their homecoming on October 23, at Dick Price Stadium. FAMU will have a tough contest with North Carolina A&T on November 6, in Greensboro, N.C. The Aggies are a few years away from competing for the MEAC crown, but can be the spoiler in 2010.
FAMU closes out the regular season on November 20 in Orlando, Florida, with Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic. With a soft road schedule in 2010, the Rattlers should be primed to do some damage in the FCS Playoffs, starting on November 27. Fans are expecting a regular season record of 10-1 and the MEAC Championship being returned to its rightful place in Tallahassee.
FAMU Rattlers 2010 Football Schedule 9/2 at University of Miami, Miami Gardens, FL 9/11 at *Delaware State, Dover, DE 9/18 at *Howard, Washington, D.C. 9/25 at Tennessee State, Georgia Dome, Atlanta (Atlanta Football Classic) 10/2 *South Carolina State, Tallahassee, FL 10/9 OPEN 10/16 Savannah State, Tallahassee, FL 10/23 at *Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA (Spartans homecoming) 10/30 *Morgan State, Tallahassee, FL 11/6 at*North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC 11/13 *Hampton, Tallahassee, FL 11/20 *Bethune-Cookman, Orlando, FL, (Florida Classic)
The verdict is still out as to which of the MEAC schools grabbed the most talented players on the first day of the national signing period, but FAMU's coach Joe Taylor ended the day praising his recruiters. He gave them credit for beating out Florida schools such as Division-I upstarts FIU and FAU, along with Hampton and Bethune-Cookman in his league.
"When you look at the other schools that we're recruiting the same guys, that really impressed me," Taylor said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. "I felt like we were able to compete. Jacksonville State, FIU, FAU were recruiting some of these guys and they still decided to come here. The Bethune-Cookman's and Hampton's, we were able to win on those guys."
When LeRoy Vann was making national headlines on his way to setting records for returning punts and kicks last season, Ocala Forest High School safety Devan Roberts was watching with the rest of nation. Every time he saw or heard anything about Vann, Roberts began to think how he could do the same for the Rattlers. After signing a letter of intent Wednesday to play his college football at FAMU, Roberts said he doesn't intend to take long to prove his point.
"I have a knack for the end zone," Roberts said during a telephone interview. "I know LeRoy Vann is a great return person. It's huge shoes to fill but I'm going to try." Roberts and linebacker Anthony Hamm were the two biggest names signed by FAMU on the start of the national signing period. Hamm comes with a reputation for being a ball-hound (nine career sacks), while Roberts is a speedster who had more than 700 return yards and scored 10 touchdowns during his high school career.
Michael Ethridge Ethridge a 6'3" - 245 lb tight end is regarded as an excellent run blocker with great hands. In his time at Godby, Ethridge had 25 receptions for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ethridge is also a fierce and tenacious run blocker who recorded over 100 pnacakes as a tight end. A 2-star recruit on Scout.com, he was also rectuited by FAU and FIU.
Dennis Hall Hall 5'10" - 170 lb Wide Receiver from Pahokee High School. Hall possesses incredible athleticism and speed out of football powerhouse Pahokee HS in Belle Glade, Fl. In his career at Phaokee, Hall recorded 84 receptions, 14 touchdowns and over 700 yards receiving. In their state championship game, Hall caught the game winning touchdown pass vs. nationally ranked Trinity Catholic. Hall is also 1st cousin of NFL Pro Bowler Anquan Bolden who is also from Pahokee. Also recruited by Eastern Michigan, Eastern illinois, Villanova, Appalachian State and B-CU.
Dante "Bubba" Black Black is a 5'9" running back from (Ocala) Dunnellon HS. he was one od Dunnellon High School's all-time rushing leaders with over 5,000 rushing yards and over 50 touchdowns in his career for the Tigers. With blazing 4.3 speed and 10.8 spped in the 100-meter stretch. Black is an incredible return specialist with 18 career returns for touchdowns and kick off returns and punt returns.
Christopher White White is a 6'4" - 225 lb defensive end from Newberry High School. he is a relentless defensive lineman with incredible athletic ability and knack for sacking the quarterback. In his senior season, White recorded 11 sacks while anchoring the defensive squad with 67 tackles and 17 for loss. He was also recruited ny North Carolina A&T, B-CU and Hampton.
Kevin House House is a 6’3 315 Offensive Lineman from Edward White HS-1ST Team All State & All Conference Offensive Lineman out of Edward White HS in Jacksonville, FL. he was awarded Offensive Lineman of the Year and dominated at his position with 78 Pancakes in his senior campaign and 0 sacks allowed in two years at Edward White HS. Rated : 3 Star Recruit. Also Recruited by Western Carolina, Tennessee State, BCU, Western Michigan.
Lenworth Lennon Lennon is a 5’10 180 WR Boyd Anderson HS- 3 Star recruit out of Boyd Anderson HS in Fort Lauderdale Fl. WHe was a top 5 in Broward County in Receiving Yards, receptions and touchdowns with 768 yds, 47 receptions and 8 touchdowns. He was also a starter in the Dade vs. Broward All Star Game where he recorded 2 receptions for 36 yds. He also Recruited by Buffalo, Central Michigan and West Carolina.
Shawn Brown Brown is a 6’3 290 OL/DT from Miami Central HS- 1st Team All Miami Dade & 2nd Team All State (6A) from Nationally ranked Miami Central HS. Brown is a 3 year starter with tremendous athleticism, size and strength to go along with over 50 pancakes in his career as a Rocket. On the Defensive side of the ball Brown also recorded 6 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 57 total tackles at DT. Rated: 2 Star Recruit. Also recruited by FAU, FIU, Tennessee State, BCU, and Hampton.
Aaron Wynn Wynn is a 6’5 280 OL from Lakewood HS- 2 star recruit out of Pinellas County where he was also voted 1st Team All County and Most Valuable Lineman in Pinellas county. As a Junior Wynn also made 2nd Team All Pinellas and gave up only 4 career sacks out of Lakewood HS. Also recruited by Hampton, Norfolk State, and New Mexico.
Devon Roberts Roberts is a 6’1 180 DB from Ocala Forest HS- 1st Team All County Playmaker out of Forest HS in Ocala, Fl. In his just his senior season alone Roberts had over 72 Tackles, 7 Interceptions, 18 Pass Break Ups, and 4 sacks. Also specializing on Kick Off and Punt Return, Roberts accumulated over had 700 career return yardage and 10 touchdowns. He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Troy, and FAU.
Patrick Davis Davis is a 6’1 240 FB from Eastside HS- out of Gainesville Fl, with a nose for contact at the Fullback position. He was a dominant force at both run blocking and pass receiving and collected 23 pancakes and 6 touchdowns during his senior season. Davis also was the starting Fullback in the Florida/Georgia All Star Game this past season and also boasts a 3.0 gpa and an Honor Roll student at Eastside HS.
Rodney Johnson Johnson is a 5’9 175 RB out of Hillsborough HS. The 4.4 speedster out of Hillsborough High School has the ability to take it the distance on any play, Johnson averaged over 10 yds per carry with 832 yds on the ground and 17 touchdowns. Johnson is also one of the strongest, bench pressing over 375 pounds and squats 485 pounds. Recruited by Bowling Green, Toledo and FIU.
Terry Johnson Johnson is a 5’11 180 Ath/CB out of Rickards high School in Tallahassee. Johnson was a 1ST Team All Big Bend athlete with ability to excel on both sides of the ball. On offense Johnson passed for over 1200 yards and 20 touchdown passes. While on defense, Johnson dominated with 7 Interceptions, 16 Pass Break Ups and 45 tackles. He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Northern Iowa and Colorado State.
Anthony Hamm Hamm is a 6'2"-220lb, LB from Mainland High School. He was a 3-star outside linebacker that can also play defensive end. He totaled over 200 tackles in his career at Mainland, which included 18 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. He was also recruited by north Carolina A&T, B-CU, hampton and UT Chattanooga. He started every game at Mainland since a freshman.
Shelley Anthony Anthony is a 6’3 295 OL from Sandy Creek HS/WKU- The transfer from Western Kentucky Anthony is expected to compete for the starting position at the center this upcoming Spring. He lettered all four years at Sandy Creek High School, helping the Patriots to a 35-10 record during that span . He was a three-year starter. SCHS reached the state playoffs in each of those seasons, winning the regional title in both 2003 and ’04 . Earned first-team all-area and all-county honors as a senior after grading out at 87 percent with 32 knockdowns.
Saf Ahmad Ahmad is a 6’3 270 OL from Miami Norland HS/FIU- He is a transfer from FIU. Ahmad is expected to compete for starting Guard position this upcoming spring. He was a three-year starter and team captain as a senior. He didn’t allow a sack as a prep senior .2006 Second team All Dade County selection by the Miami Herald.
James Poe Poe is a 6’4 240 HB/TE UCF/Freedom HS- 3 star transfer from UCF. Poe is expected to compete for a starting position this upcoming spring. He attended Georgia Military College before coming to UCF. He played for Freedom High School in Orlando. He was selected as the team MVP his final two years after being ranked as the fifth-best running back in the state with 1,500 rushing yards as a senior, and 700 yards as a junior. He was also recruited by West Virginia, Louisville, Florida, East Carolina and Iowa.
Eric Watts Watts is a 6’2 215 LB Wolfson HS- 3 star transfer linebacker from the University of Illinois. He is expected to come in and compete for starting LB position this spring. In High School: Ranked on the Florida Times Union's Top-24 Jacksonville Prep players ... A member of the Florida Times- Union Super-24 team ...Ranked as the No. 79 strong side linebacker nationally by Scout.com ... Earned first-team All- Conference honors as a junior and senior ... Rated the No. 85 outside linebacker in the country by ESPNU ... Totaled 91 tackles, 16 behind the line of scrimmage as a senior ... Averaged over 10 tackles per game in 2008 ... Posted 110 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior ... Three-time All-First Coast (city) honoree ... Recruited by Illinois, Ole Miss and South Florida.
Joshua Newkirk Newkirk is a 6’3 240 LB WSSU- is a transfer from WSSU. Newkirk is expected to come in and compete for a starting linebacker position this spring. A native of Richmond, Va., he is a 2006 graduate of Meadowbrook High School where he was an All-District and Academic-All District selection as a senior.
Steven Robinson Robinson is a 6’3 300 OL Lincoln HS/UCF- He is a transfer offensive lineman who is expected to come in and compete for a starting position this summer. He earned four letters in football for head coach Kyle Rice at Lincoln High School . He was named first-team Class 4A All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association following his senior season. He earned All-Big Bend first-team honors by the Tallahassee Democrat as a junior and senior. He is a four-year starter on the offensive line. He earned third-team All-State honors as a junior and also lettered in wrestling, track and field and played the tuba in the school band. Ranked as the No. 25 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com. Ranked as the No. 24 offensive guard prospect in the country and the No. 69 overall prospect in the state of Florida by Scout.com. Ranked No. 90 on the top 100 high school football prospects 2007 list by the Orlando Sentinel. He was also recruited by Clemson, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and USF.
Jarien Moreland Moreland is a 6’5 320 OL Glades Central HS/UCF- He is a transfer offensive lineman who is expected to come in and compete for starting position this summer. He earned four letters for head coach Willie Snead at Glades Central High School. He helped lead his team to the 2006 Class 3A state championship as a junior and Class 3A Region 4 titles as a sophomore, junior and senior. He Ranked No. 36 nationally among offensive guards by Rivals.com and the 90th best prospect in the state of Florida. He ranked No. 95 nationally among offensive tackles by Scout.com. He also received recruiting interest from Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Pitt and USF.
Willie Ferrell Ferrell is a 6'2" - 235 lb LB from FAMU High. He is a transfer from OLE MISS. He is a 4-star linebacker. He was rated the No.33 linebacker in the nation and No.75 player in Florida as ranked by Rivals.com. he was a PrepStar and SuperPrep all-Region selection. Scout.com ranked him the No.13 linebacker in the nation. he earned first team Class 2B All-State honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association as a senior at FAMU DRS. He is a two-time Tallahassee Democrat All-Big bend selection. he totaled over 300 tackles as a junior and Senior and was a 2009 Nike All-American under FAMU-DRS coach Ira Reynolds.
Brandon Green Green is a 2009 Tampa Catholic H.S. grad who played a season at prep school, at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, which is considered to be one of the country’s elite prep schools for football. FAMU signed the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder to play LB and DE. Brandon is the older brother of Tampa Catholic H.S. QB Christian Green, who signed to play at FSU on National Signing Day.
Jordan Stanley Stanley is a 5-11/185 Running Back out of Florida A&M University H.S., Tallahassee, who is signed on an academic scholarship. Jordan is clocked at 4.42 forty and is a shifty runner with the power to go inside or outside. Jordan had over 1200 yards and 17 Touchdowns for the 2009 season.
Note: The Orlando Sentinel reports OL Davonnie Coard (Evans HS) signing w/FAMU. Tampa Tribune reports WR/DB Chaise Dunn (Pasco HS) signing w/FAMU. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale) reports DL/TE Linval Williams (Boyd Anderson HS) signing w/FAMU. MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street will verify this new info, if time permits.
Alabama A&M University Bulldog coach Anthony Jones: "Walk-ons are a huge part of our program with the scout teams," he wrote. "They also add depth to our team and help on special teams until they develop into quality players, once they learn the game at the college level."
Wednesday was National Signing Day, when recruited athletes commit to football programs and receive scholarships. Throughout my coaching career, I felt winning recruiting battles was as important as winning games, and I'm sure coaches today feel the same. However, there is another aspect of building a successful team that most college fans overlook: the importance of acquiring walk-ons. The NCAA clearly defines the role of a walk-on. Walk-ons cannot receive institutional financial aid.
Alabama's legendary coach, Bear Bryant, was responsible for that rule being instituted in the 1960s. To override the NCAA's scholarship limit at that time, Bear provided football players with baseball, track, tennis and even golf scholarships to create a deep roster that is essential in building a competitive team. Walk-ons may not be important to fans, but to coaches they are often vital to a program -- especially since the NCAA capped Division I football scholarships at 85 (Division I-AA limit is 63 scholarships).
Eighty-five scholarship players sounds like a lot, but those numbers are often reduced by 5 to 10 percent due to injuries, eligibility problems, disciplinary suspensions and players quitting or transferring. Also, factor in one or two place-kickers, one or two punters and a long snapper who rarely are involved in rough, tough drills and scrimmages. That reduction in numbers can have a negative impact on a critical part of building a successful team: practice.
Grambling signed 15 recruits on Wednesday, plugging several holes on its roster — some current, and some that will open up down the road. The signing class included four linebackers, two defensive backs, two offensive lineman, and some potential successors to quarterback Greg Dillon, who will be a senior in the upcoming season. It addressed some key areas of need for fourth-year head coach Rod Broadway. The playmakers that might someday replace Dillon bring the most intrigue. Anthony Carrothers, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound quarterback from Independence High in Charlotte, N.C., has an eye-popping resume. He finished his prep career with 13,000 yards of total offense, 100 passing touchdowns, and 56 rushing touchdowns.
Tigers Close Day One of National Signing Day With 15
Grambling, LA--- Grambling State head football coach Rod Broadway was very pleased with the results at the end of the day on day one of the football national signing period. With 15 freshman and transfers inked, Broadway feels the Tigers have addressed some needed issues. “We went after needs. We didn’t get a lot of numbers but we are happy with what we received”, Broadway said. We didn’t go after a lot just what we needed in spots and so hopefully we have put some pieces of the puzzle together and it will show up down the road.”
GSU Tigers 2010 Football Signees
NAME SCHOOL HOMETOWN POS. HT. WT. NOTES
1. Quinton Crowe, Ruston H.S. Ruston LA LB 6-2 225 Honorable Mention 4A All-State; first-team All-District 3-4A, 63 tackles last year, including 17 for a loss.
2. Frank Rivers, Fairfield Central H.S. Fairfield, AL QB 6-5 205 2,500 yards, 18 TD’s, as a baseball player recorded 22 strikeouts as a pitcher.
3. Hakeem Lassiter, Lakawanna C.C. Scranton, P.A. OL 6-3 300.
4. Barry James, Williamson H.S. Mobile, AL LB 6-2 245
5. Gaither Madison, Williamson H.S. Mobile, AL DB 6-0 190
7, Thomas Bridgewater, Evangel Christian Shreveport, LA WR 6-0 200 56 rec., 1126 yds, 14 TD’s, 20.1 yds/c avg., All-District, All-City.
8. D’Mario Turner, Mays H.S. Atlanta, GA LB 6-0 255.
9. Devon Carter, N. Clayton H.S. College Park, GA OL 6-3 260.
10. Malcolm Robinson, Garland H.S. Garland, TX DB 5-10 185.
11. Anthony Garrison, John Ehret H.S. New Orleans, LA Ath 5-11 185.
12. Greg Allen, Carver H.S. Birmingham, AL DE 6-5 240.
13. Jeremy Runner, Neville H.S. Monroe, LA ATH 5-11 195 All NE-Louisiana, All-State, KNOE TV-4 Offensive Player of the Year.
14. Anthony Carrothers, Independence H.S. Charlotte, NC QB 5-8 175 Second in State, fifth in nations history with over 13, 000 yards total offense. 100 passing TD’s, 56 Rushing TD’s.
15. Kameron Thurmond, Saddleback C.C. Mission Vallejo, CA WR 6-4 Washington State signee out of high school. Big WR that can play TE with 4.5 speed.
The Alcorn State University football program has announced the signing of 23 new Braves for the 2010 recruiting class. Coach Earnest Collins Jr., and his staff focused on the offensive side of the ball by signing seven offensive linemen, three quarterbacks and three wide receivers. The offensive linemen average 6-3/305 in size. The gem of the group is all-state selectee, Derrick Henderson, (6-4/310) Brookhaven High School (Mississippi).
On paper, quarterback Jeremy Collins appears to be a potential star with over 4,000 career passing yards and 20 touchdowns. In his junior year at Greenwood High School (M.S.), the All-Region quarterback had only six interceptions the entire season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Braves signed Ricky Joseph from Miami Northwestern H.S. (Florida), who comes from a great program with a winning tradition. ESPN has this to say about the 6-2/275 defensive tackle: "Joseph comes from a program that produces many good prospects so you know he is used to competing against good competition. He has solid size for the defensive tackle position and displays the frame to be able to add more good bulk."
Joining Joseph from South Florida is Fort Lauderdale Stranahan H.S. safety/DB Derwin Brown, a 6-1/180 athlete that can play running back or wide receiver. Brown played on both sides of the ball for the 9-3 Stranahan Dragons.
At this time of the year, every coach will tell you that they have fulfilled their needs with the incoming recruiting class. And Coach Earnest Collins, Jr. is no difference in that regard. The "undefeated" and new Alcorn University Braves are:
Derrick Henderson- OL 6’4” 310 Brookhaven High School (MS) Brandon Bridge- QB 6’5” 195 St. Marcellinus Secondary School (ONT) Jacody Rose- OL 6’3” 309 O.P. Walker High School (LA) Rodney Whitmore- WR 6’1” 175 Mansfield High School (TX) LaRon Trigg- LS 6’2” 205 Hinds Community College (MS) Michael Young- QB 6’2” 207 McLaurin High School (MS) Chris Perkins- WR 6’6” 205 Hazlehurst High School (MS) Ricky Joseph- DL 6’2” 275 Miami Northwestern High School (FL) Jamison Knox- DB 5’9” 185 East High School (TN) Maurice Redick- OL 6’3” 298 East High School (TN) Fred Avery- DL 6’1” 278 Mobile Christian School (AL) Jeremy Collins- QB 6’2” 210 Greenwood High School (MS) Joshua Dupre- OL 6’4” 285 Captain Shreveport High School (LA) Thomas Lacy- OL 6’2” 305 Robert Lee High School (TX) Orlando Stringer- LB 6’0” 195 Carver High School (AL) Derwin Brown- DB 6’1” 180 Stranahan High School (FL) Terrence Barnes- DT 6’0” 295 Mize Attendance Center (MS) Josh Dotson- ATH 5’10”175 Port Gibson High School (MS) Stephen Fields- DB 5’11”175 Cedar Hill High School (TX) Brian Malone- OL 6’5” 310 Hinds Community College (MS) Avis Shelton- OL 6’3” 320 E. Mississippi Community College (MS) Kenny Roby- LB 6’1” 220 E. Mississippi Community College (MS) Ramon Brown- DB 6’2” 195 College of Dupage (IL)
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Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Collins, Jr. finished his first season with a 3-6, 3-4 SWAC record.
LORMAN, MS — Having a full year to get to know players makes a huge difference in recruiting, especially compared to only a few months. Now that Alcorn State head football coach Earnest Collins has been on the job for about a year, his hard work convincing athletes to sign with the Braves is much more evident. This past Wednesday, the Braves landed signatures from 23 high school and junior college athletes who will be joining the Braves in the fall.
“We had some needs we needed to fill, and the biggest one was on the offensive line,” Collins said. “We signed six total on Wednesday, so that was a big need we got filled.” In addition, Collins said he needed more athletes in the secondary, and competition at quarterback.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Head Football Coach Monte Coleman has announced the additions of Jerry Mack, Vernon Dean and Dennis Winston to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff coaching staff. Jerry Mack will serve as Offensive Coordinator and coach quarterbacks at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Arkansas native spent the previous two seasons as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Central Arkansas. In his first season at UCA, the Bears had one of the Southland Conference's most potent offenses and had two receivers named All-SLC Honorable Mention - including Eric Ware, who was later signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.
Dean arrives to Pine Bluff after spending last season at Fort Valley State where he coached outside linebackers. The Houston, Texas native spent seven seasons in the NFL tallying 22 interceptions and winning two Super Bowls with the Redskins. Winston spent a total of 10 seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints winning two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers. The Arkansas native spent the 2009 season at Mississippi Valley State where he served as defensive line coach under former MVSU head coach Willie Totten.
COLLEGE PARK, MD - Maryland and Morgan State have agreed in principle to meet in football during the 2010 season, officials from the schools said Tuesday. It would be the first time the universities - located just 36 miles apart - have played in football. The game, which would be played at Byrd Stadium in College Park, would mean that Maryland's non conference schedule would include two in-state schools. The Terps are already scheduled to face Navy next season at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore).
Maryland is also scheduled to renew its rivalry with West Virginia next season in Morgantown. No announcement has yet been made by Maryland or Morgan State pending the signing of contracts. Reached by The Baltimore Sun, two Morgan athletic officials and a Maryland official said Tuesday that an agreement had been reached in principle and that details could be completed soon. They all said the game would be played in September.
Playing Maryland would give Morgan State, a Football Championship Subdivision team that plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a chance to gain valuable media exposure. The men's basketball team upset Maryland last season and later reached the NCAA tournament. The Bears began 5-1 in football last season and finished 6-5, 4-4 in the MEAC. The team's toughest non conference game last season was against Akron, which won, 41-0. Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley declined to comment. "As soon as the school has a signed contract, he'll be the first one to speak with you," Morgan State athletics spokesman Leonard Haynes IV said.
---------------- Morgan State is scheduled to play the following programs listed below in 2010. The Bears are seeking one out-of-conference money game to replace Akron. Local rival Towson is not on Morgan's schedule for 2010 and the Tigers are scheduled to play at Indiana in a Thursday night, Sept 2, money-game opener. Expect MEAC newcomer North Carolina Central University Eagles to replace Towson and to play the Bears in Baltimore. Winston-Salem State University Rams drops from the Bears schedule as they move back to the CIAA and Division II.
Morgan State 2010 Football Schedule At University of Maryland Home Bethune-Cookman University At North Carolina A&T State University At Howard University Home Delaware State University At Florida A&M University At Norfolk State University Home South Carolina State University Home Hampton University
Coach Frazier is the first coach of a Southwestern Athletic Conference team, or a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win the Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the Football Championship Subdivision.
CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III was named the 23rd winner of the Eddie Robinson Award Thursday night at The Sports Network's Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game. Frazier is the first coach of a Southwestern Athletic Conference team, or a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win the Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in FCS. Robinson, the legendary Grambling State coach, spent much of his career in the SWAC.
"It is a humbling honor," said Frazier. "It's a great honor to be considered the top coach in your conference and it's an even greater honor to be considered the top coach in the country." Taking over a program best known for losing an NCAA-record 80 consecutive games from 1989-98, Frazier led the Panthers to a perfect 7-0 conference mark, the SWAC West Division title and their first-ever berth in the SWAC championship game since the title contest was introduced in 1999.
Frazier is 36-27 at Prairie View and has gone 25-5 in the past three years. Prairie View completed its season with a thrilling, 30-24 SWAC title game victory over Alabama A&M. The Panthers hadn't won a SWAC championship since 1964, and 2009 marked the team's second consecutive 9-1 season. "When we took over at Prairie View, if there were 119 teams, we were the 119(th) team in the country," Frazier said. In 2008, Prairie View also beat both Grambling and Southern in the same year for the first time in 35 seasons, and posted its first nine-win campaign since 1953, a feat they duplicated this season.
The 2009 season marks the first time the Panthers have had three consecutive winning years since legendary PVAM coach W.J. Nicks ran off nine straight such seasons from 1957-65. Frazier also coached the Panthers to the No. 18 spot in the final regular season Sports Network poll, the highest ranking Prairie View has ever held. PVAM was ranked 25th last season, the first time the Panthers had ever made a poll appearance.
In the second-closest balloting in Robinson Award history, Frazier received 24 first-place votes out of the 125 ballots cast by a panel of sports information directors and select media who regularly cover FCS. He picked up 237 points to edge J.C. Harper of Stephen F. Austin by two points. (Full voting information is available at sportsnetwork.com). Jerry Moore of Appalachian State won by one point over Craig Bohl of North Dakota State in 2006.
The Sports Network established the Eddie Robinson Award in 1987. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include current FCS coaches, two-time winner Mickey Matthews of James Madison, Northern Iowa skipper Mark Farley, New Hampshire's Sean McDonnell, Villanova's Andy Talley, Mike Ayers of Wofford and Elon's Pete Lembo, when he won the coveted award with Lehigh.
At a time when colleges are filling head football coaching vacancies, South Carolina State furthered efforts Friday to keep around longer Oliver ‘Buddy’ Pough. On Friday, school attorney Ed Givens presented to the Board of Trustees a copy of a four-year contract extension offer given Thursday to Pough’s attorney Ricky Lefft. The deal would retain Pough at his alma mater through 2015 and increase his annual base salary starting in 2012 to $225,000. Pough was also reportedly given the right to hire nine assistant coaches and raise on his own outside funds, 40 percent of which would go back to the university’s athletics department.
South Carolina State University’s Bulldogs brought in more fans and money this year, the athletics director said. The creation of the Gamezone helped increase gross revenue for the 2009 football season more than $250,000 over 2008, Charlene Johnson said during an S.C. State board committee meeting. “I attribute promotion of football earlier in the year and Gamezone to that success,” Johnson said. Gamezone, “is still a work in progress.” Starting this season, the university began requiring fans to have a ticket to gain entry to the Gamezone area surrounding the stadium and pay for special parking passes in advance. The controversial policy is meant to generate additional revenue for the university during tight financial times, cut down on loitering and get more fans into the stands.
Alabama A&M University Coach Anthony Jones has played in the NFL, coached successfully at the NCAA Division III, II and I-AA levels, but has not received any head coaching offers to move to the Division I-A level. Why?
Anthony Jones and Henry Frazier III can match resumes with any football coach in America. Both have taken over programs that were among the worst in the country: Frazier's Prairie View A&M team once went 0-80 in the 1990s and Alabama A&M's Jones got his first head coaching job at Morehouse College, which he says had won "eight games in 70 years" before he got there. Today in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game at Legion Field, Frazier has Prairie View playing for its first SWAC championship since 1964, which could lead to the school's first Black College National Championship since that year. Hoping to stop him is Jones, who left Morehouse for Alabama A&M and has the Bulldogs playing for their second SWAC title in his eight years.
"Anybody else with that resume, taking over programs like that and turning it around, would be considered a hot (coaching) prospect," Jones said. Yes, this another column about the shocking lack of opportunity for minority head coaches at the college level. Only this time, the situation seems to be getting better. Four minority head coaches have been hired at the Division I-A level this offseason: Charlie Strong at Louisville; Mike London at Virginia; Larry Porter at Memphis; and Willie Taggart at Western Kentucky. The hiring of Strong and London at BCS schools is a particularly good sign, considering that Miami's Randy Shannon was the only black coach among 66 BCS programs this past football season.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Prairie View A&M's football program has come a long way. The team that once couldn't win now doesn't bother pondering the possibility of losing. The Panthers face Alabama A&M Saturday at Legion Field in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, and coach Henry Frazier III was taken aback when asked if his team would still consider the season a success if it loses. “I haven't even thought about that,” Frazier said. “Not winning, that's not even something we've thought about. Ask me Saturday. I can't really answer that. That's not even in our minds.”
Yep, Prairie View (8-1) hardly resembles the program that lost 80 consecutive games in the 1990s. The Panthers are playing in their first SWAC title game and haven't won the league title since 1964. They won 11 league titles before there was a championship contest. Alabama A&M (7-4) made it to the championship game by winning its last two games following a 33-27 loss to Prairie View. The Bulldogs rallied from a 33-7 deficit midway through the third quarter before the comeback stalled.
Once a rock-bottom program, PV has made one of college football’s all-time-great climbs.
PRAIRIE VIEW — While his assistants prepare the Prairie View A&M Panthers for their next football game, head coach Henry Frazier III swaps stories during practice with John “Doc” Mayes, the school's longtime director of athletic training. Most of Mayes' tales have a similar theme — the time one of the team's buses caught fire en route to a game, the road trip on which each player's daily meal allowance was $12.50, the overnight stays when the Panthers had to sleep three to a hotel room, with the odd man out relegated to a rollaway bed. They all end the same way: At the final gun, Prairie View always lost.
Prairie View goes from basement mainstays to conference title game
PRAIRIE VIEW — Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III does not have a large office, but what there is contains a lot of significant mementos. On his desk are pictures of family members. Nearby are trophies in recognition of his coaching achievements. And nestled against a wall is Frazier's signature “championship” belt. The belt, which reads “PV Football 2009” on one side and “SWAC Champions” on the other, has become the symbol of Frazier's primary goal since he took over the program Dec. 22, 2003. That goal can become a reality if the Panthers (8-1) defeat Alabama A&M in Saturday's Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game at Birmingham, Ala.
Long before Anthony Jones became the head football coach at Alabama A&M, he knew about Henry Frazier III, an up-and-coming coach at Bowie State. Jones coached against Frazier during his days at Morehouse College. The two hit it off, Jones said, during a recruiting fair in Maryland a few years ago. "I brought my son with me and he was going around recruiting players for me to come to Morehouse," Jones said. "Frazier was impressed with that. We became friends from that point on. "I have a lot of respect for him." Jones and Frazier, now the head coach at Prairie View, will put their friendship aside Saturday when the Bulldogs (7-4) take on the Panthers (8-1) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game at Birmingham's Legion Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN Classic.
Prairie View A&M junior quarterback K.J. Black was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year when the conference's postseason honors were released Wednesday. Texas Southern junior quarterback Arvell Nelson received Newcomer of the Year honors. Grambling State defensive end Christian Anthony was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Grambling kicker Ari Johnson was named Freshman of the Year.
Black, a transfer from Western Kentucky, threw for 1,775 yards and 19 touchdowns against four interceptions to lead Prairie View (8-1) to its first SWAC Western Division title. The Panthers will face Alabama A&M in Saturday's SWAC championship game in Birmingham, Ala. Black, who was also named to the All-SWAC second team, began the season as a backup, but started the Panthers' last seven games, all wins. He completed 71.3 percent of his passes and was second in the FCS in passing efficiency (172.18).
Ulysses Banks has never beaten Prairie View. Neither has Thomas Harris, Xavier Manuel, Jeremy Maddox or Maurice Thomas just to name a few. In fact, only one of Alabama A&M's 12 seniors - fifth-year receiver Anthony Mitchell - has ever beaten Prairie View. That came in 2005. Since then, Prairie View has beaten A&M four straight times. Banks and the rest of A&M's seniors will take their final shot at Prairie View Saturday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game at Birmingham's Legion Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN Classic.
JACKSON, MS — When the Alcorn State Braves scored two quick touchdowns in the opening six minutes of the first quarter, most observers probably assumed their game against Jackson State Saturday would be a high-scoring one. However, the Alcorn State defense wound up being the story of the game, as the Braves did not score again after the quick 14 points. The Braves defense held the Tigers to negative 12 rushing yards on 38 attempts, and tallied eight tackles for a loss, en route to a 14-7 win in the Capital City Classic at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Jackson State managed only one touchdown, a 38-yard pass reception by Anthony Mayes with less than two minutes left before halftime. Braves head coach Earnest Collins said his team felt like it had something to prove in terms of its rushing defense. “It was a challenge for our defensive guys,” Collins said. “We’ve been getting the ball run on us for the last couple of weeks. I’m so thankful that the Lord blessed me to have a coordinator like Zach Shay, because his temperament is, he wants to go, go, go, go, go. I knew that, at some point in time, he would get these guys going again.”
Tray Rutland's collegiate football career ended Saturday on the turf of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Jackson State senior came off the bench in the first quarter but wasn't able to stop a 14-7 Alcorn State victory. The Capital City Classic, however, won't be the last time JSU fans can watch the strong-armed, 6-foot-3 lefty. Rutland plans to join the baseball team in the spring and pitch for coach Omar Johnson. In the meantime, Rutland will go down as one of the most talked about players since coach Rick Comegy took over the program. He was a highly-touted transfer out of Mississippi State but couldn't beat out Jimmy Oliver in 2007. He started most of 2008 and led JSU to a second consecutive SWAC Championship Game.
This season was supposed to be his time to shine, but he was benched in the first game and didn't return to the starting lineup until the fourth week. Inconsistency prompted his return to the bench in the seventh game against Mississippi Valley.
Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins stood in the middle of the field at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, rain falling from the sky and chunks of ice resting on his head. As an announced 16,429 made their way out of building wet and cold, Collins wasn't bothered at all. Maybe that's because he had just been hit with a celebratory Gatorade shower and was being handed a trophy for a 14-7 win over Jackson State in the Capital City Classic, ending a two-year run by the Tigers. "I'm kind of at a loss for words," Collins said. "We started preparing for 2010 this week.
Attendance: 16,429@ Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, MS
ORANGEBURG,SC — Senior running back Will Ford had a record-breaking game on "Senior Day" as he rushed for 156 yards 23 carries to lead the South Carolina State Bulldogs to their 19th straight MEAC win and a 28-10 victory over rival N.C. A&T Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson. SC State (10-1, 8-0 MEAC), which secured its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and back-to-back berths in the FCS playoffs last Saturday in a 37-13 win over Morgan State. Coach Buddy Pough's team finished its second season with a perfect league record. The defense came up big limiting N.C.A&T to just 176 total offensive yards, SC State finished with 458 on the day.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- For 30 minutes, N.C. A&T went toe-to-toe with MEAC football champion South Carolina State on Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. It was no contest in the second half. The Aggies played the Bulldogs to a 7-7 draw in the first half, but the FCS playoff-bound hosts pulled away after intermission to close the regular season with a 28-10 win and a 10-1 record. A&T finished with a 5-6 overall record and a 3-5 MEAC mark in Alonzo Lee's first season in charge. Not bad, considering the Aggies won only nine of 56 games from 2004 through 2008.
"I'm proud to be part of the senior class that had a part in turning things around this season," said defensive end Tyre Glasper. "It was a bittersweet way to end the season. "We wanted to challenge for a championship and finish with a winning record. That didn't work out, but we did win five games this year after winning three games last year and none the year before. Now it's up to the guys coming back to keep this going." Lee said the overwhelming youth in the program was something of a curse and a blessing.
ORANGEBURG - With a second consecutive MEAC championship in hand, South Carolina State was strictly concerned with style points in Saturday's final regular season game against North Carolina A&T at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The idea was to make a final, favorable impression on the FCS seeding committee in the quest to land a first-round home game in the national playoffs for the first time since 1981.
The Bulldogs, ranked No. 7 in all three major FCS polls, downed the improved Aggies 28-10 to close the regular season with a 10-1 record - matching the school record for wins in a season. It was also S.C. State's 19th consecutive conference win - a MEAC record - and ties a school mark for consecutive conference games without a loss. S.C. State now will sweat it out until the pairings are announced at 3 p.m. today. "Getting a home game is what it's all about now," Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough said.
Inside the locker room of a 7-7 game at halftime with North Carolina A&T, the foreboding words of his mother were on South Carolina State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough’s mind. Earlier in the week, M.T. Pough cautioned her son about letting history repeat itself. It was six years ago when the Bulldogs routed North Carolina A&T 49-9 to hand the Aggies a devastating loss prior to opening play in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Even with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship trophy already at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium awaiting presentation from conference president Dennis Thomas, the thought of deja vu in reverse occurring inspired a sense of urgency in Pough as he addressed his team. There was no talk about running back Will Ford closing in on the conference career rushing record or playing host to a first-round home playoff game.
Tallahassee, FL — When Joe Taylor took over as the football coach at Florida A&M, barely a month after the Rattlers lost six of their last seven games to finish 3-8 in 2007, he summoned every returning player for an individual conference. In each session, he asked the same question: why did things happen the way they did last season? And each player pointed the finger at someone else. Not one acknowledged any role. “There was a whole lot of what I call deflecting,” Taylor, 59, said in recent interview.
Coach Joe Taylor stands next to the statue of legendary Rattlers Coach Alonzo S. "Jake" Gaither on the campus of Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
Taylor said that he realized that the job facing him was more than returning Florida A&M to its customary success. He had to oversee a character makeover, which for him meant a regimen of churchgoing, class work and off-season training. As he said, “My whole idea is that if you can improve the person, you can improve the player.” Less than two years later, the results vindicate the thesis. Taylor’s 2008 team went 9-3, and after last Saturday’s 31-28 overtime victory against Morgan State, the Rattlers were 6-2 in 2009, with one of those losses to Miami.
Florida A&M now ranks in the top 25 in the N.C.A.A. Football Championship Subdivision poll for the first time in eight years. Before Saturday’s home game against North Carolina A&T, the No. 24 Rattlers were in second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and third in the Sheridan Broadcasting System ranking of historically black colleges. Impressive as the improvements have been, the Florida A&M tradition demands even more. Taylor toils here in the shadow of Jake Gaither, one of the greatest college football coaches ever, who retired in 1969 with a career record of 203-36-4.
Texas Southern University president Dr. John M. Rudley and athletic director Charles McClelland are the key drivers behind the shared new Houston Dynamo Soccer/TSU football stadium. The Tigers total lifetime investment -- $2.5 million. Sweet deal!!
Upon completion of the "unnamed" Dynamo/TSU stadium, the Tigers will become the envy of the Southwestern Athletic Conference as co-tenant of this 22,000 seat state-of-art facility with luxury suites. A rail line will literally run right next to the stadium that will have fan friendly in terms of concessions and restrooms, and parking and access.
