Florida A&M University president Dr. James Ammons did what was expected this afternoon to move the Rattlers athletic program to the championship level. Head football Coach Rubin Carter was fired! His boss, athletic director Nelson Townsend was fired! Both were hired under the administration of former interim president Castell Bryant.Carter leaves Florida A&M with a 16-17 record, including 3-8, 2-7 MEAC in 2007. In his final game for the Rattlers, FAMU was blasted by Bethune Cookman University (5-6, 3-6 MEAC) 34-7 before a Florida Classic crowd of 65,367.
More details will follow as they are released by the University.
Alcorn State University head football coach Dr. Johnny Thomas was fired this afternoon, and the university announced in a press release that a search for a replacement will begin immediately. Thomas had a 48-61 record in 10 years as the Braves coach and ended 2007 with a 2-8 season. Dr. Thomas has been offered other non-coaching options at the university. He served as an assistant professor of health and physical education at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, prior to returning to his alma mater in 1998 to head the football program.
The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff fired head football coach Maurice "Mo" Forte today and named current defensive coordinator Monte Coleman as the permanent head coach. In four seasons, Forte held a 21-22 record with the Golden Lions and 69-89-1 overall in a 14 year career. The Golden Lions finished 4-7 this season, but were the SWAC-West Division Champions in 2006, with an 8-4 record.The 50 year old Coleman is a Pine Bluff native who played professional football for the Washington Redskins for 16 seasons (1979-94). As an All-Pro linebacker, Coleman played in four Super Bowls, winning three; and 216 games which is second most in Washington Redskin history. Athletic director Skip Perkins indicated that UAPB and Coleman were working out the details of a five year contract.
Coleman has been on the Golden Lions staff for four seasons, serving the last two as defensive coordinator. He is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.
UAPB will open next season at home on August 30, 2008, against the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
FAMU's Carter and Townsend, UAPB's Mo Forte, and Alcorn State's Dr. Johnny Thomas officially joins Texas Southern Steven Wilson, 4-38 as coaches/administrators released from the MEAC/SWAC in 2007.
Head Coach Lee Fobbs is 0-22 in his second season at North Carolina A&T State University and the school has a 27 game losing streak dating back to 2005. Mississippi Valley State University Willie Totten is 25-41 and just completed a 3-8, 2-7 SWAC season. We expect some action to be taken on their futures in the coming weeks.
Prairie View A&M University announced this afternoon that Henry Frazier III has received a four year contract extension for leading the Panthers to their best record in 41 years. PVAMU finished 7-3, 6-3 SWAC, with signature victories over Jackson State University and Alabama A&M University with both battling for an East Division position in the SWAC championship game. The Panthers finished their season in second place in the West Division of the SWAC behind Grambling State University.
