Thieves steal North Carolina Central's band thunder

DURHAM, N.C. -- More than a dozen sousaphones were stolen from the band room at North Carolina Central University, officials said.

The instruments were taken sometime in December or early January.

The instruments – six Conn sousaphones and eight Jupiter sousaphones – are worth about $3,000 each. Along with the 14 sousaphones, thieves took trumpets, trombones, flutes and piccolos, some of which police have already recovered from area pawnshops.

A reward is offered.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call NCCU Detective A.J. Carter at 560-5397, NCCU Detective Billy Boyd at 560-7365 or Crime Stoppers at 683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

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NCCU Band is scheduled to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA on January 26, 2008 03:00 PM. Also participating will be bands from:

Albany State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University, Texas Southern University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Virginia State University, Winston-Salem State University.

A band without a bass line (Sousaphones) is in a world of trouble in a band competition. Here is what the Eagle Band looked and sound like with the Sousaphones thumping at the bottom.

North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band with Sousaphones.

Linwood Ferguson among top contenders to become EKU head football coach

Photo: Coach Linwood Ferguson, former MEAC coach at HU, NCA&T, NCCU and WSSU is a top contender to become head football coach at Eastern Kentucky.

RICHMOND, KY — Speculation continues to build about who will be selected as Danny Hope’s successor at Eastern Kentucky University, but school officials aren’t saying much, if anything, about the situation.

Still, it would appear that five candidates have emerged as top contenders to become EKU’s new head football coach — current defensive coordinator Donn Landholm, current offensive coordinator Linwood Ferguson, Georgetown College head coach Bill Cronin, Bowling Green University wide receivers coach Steve Bird and Wake Forest defensive coordinator Dean Hood.

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Ferguson, who has more than 31 years of coaching experience, spent the 2006 season as Howard University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Bison finished 4-4 in MEAC action in 2006 while ranking third in the conference in rushing yards per game (184.8). Ferguson has also been the offensive coordinator at North Carolina Central University (2003), North Carolina A&T State University (2002) and defensive back coach at Winston Salem State University (2004-05).

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Orlando (FL) Jones High hires Kenard Lang as head football coach

Former NFL player and Evans High great Kenard Lang has accepted the head football coaching job at Jones High School and will replace Boris Jackson.

Jones Principal Bridget Williams said the school is waiting for completed paperwork before making it official. Lang, who takes over a team that went 1-9 last season, played at Evans for current Edgewater Coach Bill Gierke and graduated in 1993. He spent last season coaching tight ends and helping with strength and conditioning at Edgewater.

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Lang is a University of Miami Hurricane and former Washington Redskins player, but we won't hold that against him. It's great to see someone with his considerable playing skills to start at a level where the rubber meets the road--at the high school level at a historical program like Jones High School. The connection here is Jones High has always been a feeder for both Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman, for athletes, band members and outstanding students.

Hopefully, Lang will keep the pipeline open for the MEAC and SWAC programs. Lang had an 11 year NFL career as a first round, #17 pick for the Washington Redskins in the 1997 NFL Draft. He later played linebacker and defensive end for Cleveland and closed out his career with Denver.

Hiring assistants first on Florida A&M Taylor's to-do list

Taylor said he was in the process of putting together the rest of his staff this week, including filling the offensive and defensive coordinator positions. Taylor spent last week at the annual American Football Coaches Association convention, where he received more than his share of inquiries.

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Photo: FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor

It appears that Coach Joe Taylor is behind the eight ball with National Signing Day looming on the horizon with February 6, only 20 calendar days away. The Offensive and Defensive Coordinators have yet to be appointed, says Taylor, but it will happen this week. That's the best news yet coming out of the FAMU camp.

Let's get ready to sign some blue chip student-athletes. No time to be dilly-dally around with a few folks that should be on the far end of the bench come game time. Sometimes, life is just not fair.

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Kentucky among Norfolk State's football opponents in 2008

Another game against a Division I FBS opponent and the first matchup with in-state foe William & Mary in 23 years highlight the 2008 Norfolk State football schedule, which was announced Wednesday.

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Photo: Norfolk State pounded Coach Adrian's former MEAC mentor, Alvin Wyatts' Bethune Cookman University Wildcats into the turf in '07. Will there be more of the same in '08 for the Spartans?

For those that need just the facts, here it is in the abbreviated version.

Norfolk State has one of the more attractive MEAC schedules for 2008, along with South Carolina State University. NSU athletic director Marty L. Miller is quickly becoming the top Athletic Executive in black college sports with his ability to set up his head football coach, Pete Adrian for an outstanding season, among other positive initiatives.

Last season, Norfolk State University was tops in HBCU football for accumulated home attendance. The Spartans were ranked #7 in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS") with 103,320 accumulated attendance for six home games. NSU average game attendance was 17,220 (see our Blog dated 11/22/07 on this topic).

We expect the Spartans to exceed this number in '08, with Virginia State, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, Morgan State and Delaware State on the slate. The first three teams are noted to travel well with a very large fan base in the Baltimore, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Richmond commuting regions.

But more importantly, the rivalry games with Hampton University and William and Mary have the flavor of a playoff contest before large crowds. Both the VSU and FAMU games should set new attendance records at William "Dick" Price Stadium, especially with Joe Taylor's Rattlers first return to the Hampton Roads region for Norfolk State's homecoming.

If the famed FAMU Marching 100 Band makes an appearance, expect standing room only with 30,000 plus fans for the FAMU game.

We foresee NSU being in the hunt for an FCS playoff spot in '08.

Remember, its still January so we can go overboard a little for the Spartans. However, by the time the battle with Delaware State is completed in November, the blitz that the Spartans will have received from Joker Phillips and the Kentucky Wildcats will have been forgotten by most on the FCS playoff committee.

All of these ingredients will make for a very exciting season in the Hampton Roads region. We just as well buy season tickets to guarantee us a seat for an exciting season in the Tidewater.

Will this be the season that the MEAC sends more than one team to the playoffs, in a five way battle with Delaware State, Norfolk State, Hampton, FAMU and SCSU State for a playoff spot and the MEAC championship?

Beating William and Mary and with only one loss in the MEAC could get a 10-2 Norfolk State into the playoffs, without winning the MEAC championship. A 9-3 record will get Norfolk State an early start on '09 recruiting.

Outstanding schedule, Spartans!

Photo: Armed with a new contract, will NSU Coach Pete Adrian prove the critics wrong in '08 with a MEAC championship or FCS Playoff berth.

Norfolk State University 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Site Time

Aug. 30 Virginia State Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. (Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic)

Sept. 6 at Kentucky Lexington, Ky. TBA

Sept. 13 North Carolina A&T Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 at William & Mary Williamsburg, Va. TBA

Sept. 27 at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA

Oct. 11 at South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. TBA

Oct. 18 at Hampton Hampton, Va. TBA (Battle of the Bay)

Oct. 25 Florida A&M Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m. (Homecoming)

Nov. 1 at Howard Washington, D.C. TBA

Nov. 8 Morgan State Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m.

Nov. 15 Delaware State Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m.

Nov. 22 at Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, N.C. 1 p.m.

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Hampton University football adds three assistant coaches and five transfers

HAMPTON - Jerry Holmes added some muscle to Hampton University's football program on Wednesday with the announcement of three new assistant coaches and five transfers. Holmes was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach on Dec. 29, when Joe Taylor left to become the coach at Florida A&M.

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Photo: Hampton University head football coach Jerry Holmes



















In summary, Coach Holmes staff consists of the following:

Jerry Holmes, Pirates Head Football Coach (WVU '79)
1. Terry Beauford, Offensive Line (FAMU '95)
2. Canute Curtis, Defensive Line (WVU '97)
3. Milo Austin, Running Backs (WVU '05)
4. Devan Hill, Defensive Backs (Hampton '04)
5. Roy Johnson, Quarterbacks(Hampton '99)
6. Donovan Rose, Assistant Head Coach/Secondary (Hampton '79)
7. Corey Sullivan, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers (Tennessee State '02)

The Pirates transfers consists of four Jucos and a speedy tailback from University of Tennessee. All will have two years of eligibility at Hampton University.

Lamarcus Coker, (U. of Tennessee)5-foot-10, 195-pounds, tailback
Davion Wright, Feather River Community College, Cal., 6-6, 320, offensive linemen.
Darius Collins, Feather River CC, 6-4, 250, tight end.
Lawrence Ferrell, Fork Union Military Academy, 5-10, 230-pound, fullback.
J.R. Carter, Feather River CC, 5-10, 200, safety.

We love HBCU presidents that are serious about their school's academics and athletics. Hampton University is well on its way to building a dynasty in football, basketball, track and field to go with their stellar academic reputation.

Way to go Pirates--keep snatching those bluechip players.

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Alcorn State Ernest Jones salary disclosed

It didn't take long for the information to get out regarding the contract for new Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Jones. He signed a three year contract paying $140,000 per year.

Former ASU coach Dr. Johnny Thomas was paid by comparison $84,637.00 per year in his last season over the Braves program. Rick Comegy at Jackson State University receives $155,000 annually, with two years remaining on a four year contract.

Hampton University receives 3-Star freshman transfer from Virginia Tech

Photo: Hampton University transfer freshman guard/forward Darrion Pellum, a legitimate 3-Star ranked basketball player.

Former Hampton High guard Darrion Pellum has transferred to Hampton University from Virginia Tech to play basketball. Pellum, 6-foot-6, started classes Monday and will become eligible to play for the Pirates in December 2008. He chose Hampton University after consulting with local coaches and mentors.

Pellum signed a national letter of intent for the 2007-08 academic year with Virginia Tech. However, after arriving in Blacksburg last fall he was declared academically ineligible. Pellum said the issue involved accreditation of instructors at Massanutten Academy and an online course he took to get admitted to Virginia Tech.

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Pellum, a 6-6, 210-pound shooting guard/small forward averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game as a senior for coach Richard Moore at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Va. As a senior at Massanutten, Pellum averaged 40 percent from three-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line.

Pellum averaged 20 points per game as a junior at Massanutten. He transferred to Massanutten in 2005 after playing for Hampton High School for coach Walter Brower. Pellum has played for Boo Williams' AAU team during the summer.

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg described Pellum as--"he's big; he's physical; he's athletic. He reminds me of a bigger version of Jamon Gordon. He doesn't play one position; he can play all perimeter positions.

Pellum is ranked as a 3-Star player by both Rivals.com and Scout.com ranking systems.

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Former OSU QB Reid may get to come to Texas Southern University

Photo: Quarterback Bobby Reid,6-3/235 Junior, Galena Park North Shore High School, Houston, Texas

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid has declared for the National Football League Draft. However, he tells FOX 26 Sports if Texas Southern University is successful in its request for a transfer waiver from the NCAA, Reid says he may pull his name from the Draft and use his final year of college eligibility at TSU in his hometown of Houston.

"I'm fired up about it," Reid said. "If I gotta go, I'm going to go and take care of business the way I know how and try to bring a championship to TSU." Reid graduated in December from Oklahoma State with a degree in Education. He was replaced by Zac Robinson as the Cowboys starting quarterback two games into the 2007 season. He faces a Jan. 19 deadline to remove his name from the NFL draft should he choose to continue his college career and he says TSU is the only school he will consider.

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During his career at OSU, Reid played in 27 games throwing for 3,143 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also ran for 654 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks third in career passing touchdowns with the Cowboys and eighth in passing yards.

Linebacker transfers to Norfolk State from Akron

Photo: Michael Alphonse, Linebacker, 6-0/230, Sophomore from Miami Norland HS, Miramar, Florida runs a 4.6 40 yard dash.

With signing day just a few weeks away, Norfolk State has added a second transfer to its football roster. Inside linebacker Mike Alphonse, who spent three years at the University of Akron, including a redshirt season, already is enrolled at NSU. Alphonse will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The Spartans recently added Dennis Thomas, a backup quarterback from the University of Connecticut. Thomas also is enrolled at NSU for the spring semester.

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For those non-believers out there in the blogsphere, it does make a difference that Norfolk State has College of William and Mary, and University of Kentucky on its schedule for 2008.

NSU track record proves the fact that quality players do not transfer to programs just for the opportunity to play MEAC or SWAC competition. Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Delaware State, Delaware, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State understands what is required to build a highly competitive program--play FBC competition and recruit D-1 talent.

It's not difficult to understand that great players want to play the best at the upper division level.

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Lady Aggies get huge win over Coppin State

Photo: Ta'Wuana Cook scored 12 points, 4 assts., and 3 rebounds to help the Aggies to win. "Tweet" Cook is a 5-8 sophomore guard from Seventy-First School, Fayetteville, N.C.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – In terms of a nice reward for a coach who has coached at the historically black college and university level her entire career, Patricia Cage-Bibbs’ 400th win was certainly a significant win.

But in terms of the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball program as a whole, the Aggies 61-50 win over two-time defending regular-season champion Coppin State is by far the biggest win in Bibbs’ three-year stint at N.C. A&T.

The Aggies defeated the Eagles for the first time in four seasons. The Aggies are tied for first with Bibbs’ former team Hampton at 3-0, and in the process of knocking off the Eagles the Aggies held two-time MEAC Player of the Year Rashida Suber to 3-for-17 shooting and nine points. It was a nice step forward for a program that won 27 games from 1999-2004.

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Hot-shooting Southern topples Jackson State

Photo: Jackson State University 6-3/185 junior guard #12, Darrion Griffin, Toledo, Ohio, torched the Jaguars for 24 points, 3 assts., 4 reb. to lead all scorers.

The Southern men’s basketball team scored 85 points Monday night. Eighty-five points. Oh, and by the way, the Jaguars also notched a huge win, knocking off preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference favorite Jackson State, 85-69, at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Monday’s victory clearly stamped SU (5-10, 3-1 SWAC) as a contender in the conference race.

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ASU runs away from UAPB in 69-40 win

Montgomery, Ala. - When Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson looked down his roster before the season, he had high hopes for his squad.

But despite the talent and versatility he envisioned, he knew it would take time for all of the new players to mesh with the returnees. How long, he wasn't sure. But after a 69-40 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night, the answer may be sooner, rather than later.

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DSU Hornets slams WSSU with hot shooting

Photo: Senior guard Roy Bright led the Hornets in scoring with 24 points.

Winston Salem, N.C. - The Hornets shot a season high 56.5% from the floor in the first half, including 60% (6-10) from behind the arc and took a 36-30 lead into the locker room. Pre-season MEAC Player of the Year Roy Bright led all scorers early with 17, connecting on three of five shots from downtown Winston Salem. Bright finished with a game high 24 points.

The Delaware State Hornets improved to 5-9 on the season with a 66-59 win over 6-8 Winston Salem State Rams.

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Delaware State Lady Hornets gives Coach Ed Davis 300th career win

Photo: In his 16th season, Delaware State University head women basketball coach Ed Davis joins exclusive 300th win club with Hornets victory over Winston Salem State University.

Winston-Salem, NC --- Delaware State head coach Ed Davis has joined the 300-win club as the Lady Hornets toppled Winston-Salem State 49-27 Monday evening. DSU won its third straight to improve to 6-9 on the season, while the Rams fell to 0-12.

Davis, in his eighth season at Delaware State, is now 129-95 with the Lady Hornets. Prior to his stint at Delaware State, he was 171-54 in eight years at Bowie State.

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Florida A&M rally falls short at Hampton

Photo: Senior guard Leslie Robinson, 6-0/180 from Rockford, IL Highland CC scored 22 points on the Pirates.

HAMPTON - Hampton University held off a late Florida A&M rally to win less comfortably than it could have Monday night. The Pirates hit enough buckets late to salvage a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory 69-63 at HU Convocation Center. They remain unbeaten in the league and play at South Carolina State on Saturday.

FAMU (5-10, 1-2) got 22 points from guard Leslie Robinson and 14 from reserve Lamar Twitty. The Rattlers steadily cut into Hampton's lead until finally tying it at 61 with 3:29 left on Ernest Maul's 3-pointer from the right corner.

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Hampton U. women surge past FAMU in second half

Photo: Hampton University senior guard Artavia Burns scored 16 points against FAMU. The 5-5 Dallas, Texas Lincoln H.S./Trinty Valley College star was recently selected to the Trinity Valley College Hall of Fame.

HAMPTON - Rachel Butler scored 18 points and Artavia Burns pitched in 16 as Hampton broke open a close game with 45 second-half points on its way to a 80-72 victory over Florida A&M. The Lady Pirates (8-6, 3-0 MEAC) seized control by outrebounding the Lady Rattlers 30-12 in the second half, leading to 27 second-chance points.

Taniyah Dawson and Joslyne Jackson each scored 17 points for Florida A&M (9-5, 1-2).

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FSU, FAMU football teams might play this season

The university campuses have grown to the point where Florida State and Florida A&M are nearly connected. But it's always seemed like a continental divide on the idea the two schools pair for a football game in Tallahassee.

That may change.

Immediately.

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We can agree with T.K. Wetherell on one point--a FAMU vs. FSU football game is long overdue!

FAMU has played Miami, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, South Florida and Florida in the past decade. Central Florida and FSU should be next in the Joe Taylor era at FAMU.

South Carolina State University will open the 2008 season at Central Florida. FSU will host a horrible Western Carolina program with a new head coach and staff on September 6, 2008. So, why should FAMU turn down a good $500,000 PLUS payday for what amounts to a road game in Tallahassee with a weaken FSU team?

If FAMU expects to become a national force under Joe Taylor, the Rattlers need to play two games with FBS teams each season to grow the program, expand the athletic budget and improve FAMU and the MEAC strength of schedule. Let us not forget Florida A&M is a Division I program with high aspirations for winning another FCS national championship.

You cannot get better by playing a schedule that is full of MEAC weaklings that will not prepare the Rattlers to compete with Delaware, Appalachian State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Richmond or Eastern Washington in the football championship subdivision playoffs.

Some folks have quickly forgotten the Rattlers 2004 season where FAMU played Illinois, Virginia Tech, Tulane, Temple, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Nicholls State, Tennessee State, Virginia Union, Bethune Cookman, and Savannah State. This schedule was deemed the toughest in 1-AA history.

By comparison, FSU is no more difficult to play than Illinois or Tulane.

So go play the game, collect the fat pay check, invest it wisely in the Rattler program and use the game as a recruitment tool to get better student-athletes that want to play for FAMU against the Florida BCS schools.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell has the right ideal. It's just a football game that has a tremendous upside for earning more than $3 million for a sellout home game. For some, just seeing the FAMU Marching 100 blow away the FSU Marching Chiefs is worth the price of admission.

This game is long overdue--let's make it happen in 2008 or 2009.

It would be devastating for FAMU's Florida recruiting if South Carolina State, Norfolk State or Delaware State came to Tallahassee to play the Seminoles in a money game. SCSU has already made inroads in Florida with their game at UCF this season and it will be interesting to see how this translates in Florida recruiting.

SCSU once recruited a future Pro Football Hall of Famer from FAMU in David "Deacon" Jones, "the Secretary of Defense" from Hungerford High School, Eatonville, Florida back in the 1960's. Jones is considered to be one of the greatest defensive ends of all time. The Bulldogs appears to be returning to Florida to re-establish themselves for more bluechips like Jones?

Rattler Nation need to wake up before its too late.

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DSU Lavan to coach in American Heritage Bowl

Photo: Delaware State University head football coach Al Lavan will coach the Navy Northeast team against the the Marine Corps Southwest team in the American Heritage Bowl.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif -- Delaware State coach Al Lavan and his staff, along with seven Hornet seniors have been invited to the American Heritage Bowl at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Field. The first Navy-Marine Corps All-Star Classic will feature some of the top HBCU senior football players and will be played on Jan. 26 at 6:15 p.m.

The game will be shown on tape delay on ESPNU Feb. 8 at 4 p.m.

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Great way for DSU senior players Akeem Green (CB), Russell Reeves (MLB), Jeremy Breath (OG), Kelly Rouse (DE), Peter Gaertner (PK), Josh Bright (P) and Jeff Postell (TE) to end a championship career for the Hornets.

FAMU Lady Rattlers bowlers undefeated

Photo: Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers Bowling Head Coach, Novella Franklin is in her eighth year as head of the program.

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Bowling team capped a perfect weekend in the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams' Bowling Challenge at the AMF Bowling Center, Sunday with a 5-0 overall performance in the Baker Games round. Coach Novella Franklin's Lady Rattlers swept the best-of-seven Baker matches from South Carolina State (4-3), host Winston-Salem State (4-1), Bethune-Cookman (4-3), Norfolk State (4-3) and North Carolina A&T (5-2).

FAMU is 10-0 for the two-day event and 8-0 (not counting Winston-Salem State) against Southern Division teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

On Saturday, the Lady Rattlers defeated South Carolina State (802-766), Winston-Salem (774-758), Bethune-Cookman (814-742), Norfolk State (813-798) and North Carolina A&T (799-715). FAMU as a team tallied 4,002 total pin falls.

The Lady Rattlers had a trio of bowlers to tally 800 plus pin falls with Marisa Moffett leading the way with 844. She tallied a team high 192 in game one against South Carolina State. Jazmin Bingham finished with 827, knocking down a personal best 179 pins against Norfolk State. Gina Davis recorded an 821 total, knocking down a team high 192 pins in game two against Winston-Salem State.

Competitors Lynnetta Russell had 774, Saturday knocking down a personal best 162 pins in game two against Winston-Salem, while Ashley Melson bowled a 736, knocking down a team high 193 pins against Bethune-Cookman.

MEET THE "Undefeated" FAMU LADY RATTLERS BOWING TEAM

Photo on Right: Paul Williams, Assistant Bowling Coach

Student-Athletes HT YR. Hometown
Jazmin Bingham 5-5 FR Dolton, MI
Arleasia Carter 5-0 SO Tampa, FL
Gina Davis 5-4 FR Hampton, VA
Kellie Jones 5-7 FR Jacksonville, FL
Marisa Moffett 5-9 FR Southfield, MI
Lynnetta Russell 5-7 FR Markhah, IL

Southern U gets pro-style QB commitment

Delon Mallory, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound quarterback from John F. Kennedy High in Cleveland, Ohio recently became the first commitment for Southern University 2008 recruiting class. The irony of Mallory’s decision, who chose Southern over Purdue, Bowling Green, Kent State, Akron, Youngstown State and Eastern Michigan, was made without a visit to the school’s campus.

Mallory’s academic standing, which is below NCAA requirements for incoming freshman to participate, will force him to concentrate his time away from the field on academics for an entire season.

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Three Tennessee State defensive coaches won't return

Photo: TSU head football coach James Webster

A shakeup on the Tennessee State University football coaching staff has resulted in the departure of defensive coordinator Ron Lambert, defensive backs coach Randy Fuller and defensive tackles coach Justin Roberts, team officials said Friday. Coach James Webster decided not to retain Lambert while Fuller and Roberts resigned.

Webster confirmed the changes and said: "I have not hired anyone to replace those who won't be back."

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Florida A&M football coaching staff nearing completion

Photo: FAMU Head Football Coach Joe Taylor

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Florida A&M University head football coach Joe Taylor is making progess in assembling an excellent staff of assistant coaches that will get the Rattlers back to being a national powerhouse program. Taylor was hired by FAMU on December 31, 2007, and vowed to return the one-time powerhouse among historically black colleges to its former glory.

The staff is shaping up as follows with five hires so far.

Head Coach - Joe Taylor

1. Offensive Coordinator/Offensive line - Lawrence Kershaw
2. Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers - Steven Jerry
3. Running backs - Aaron Taylor
4. Defensive line - George M. Small
5. Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator - Timothy Edwards

A brief synopsis of the assistant coaches experiences are as follows:

Photo: FAMU Linebackers Coach /Recruiting Coordinator, Tim Edwards

Coach Timothy Edwards served five years as Hampton University defensive line and recruiting coordinator, helping the Pirates to win three consecutive MEAC championships, three NCAA FCS playoff appearances and two black college national championships in 2004 and 2005.

He spent one season with AFL2 Carolina Rhinos as the defensive coordinator and Pearl River Community College defensive line coach. Prior, he spent four years at Kentucky State University, serving as position coach for LB, DL and pro liaison during his tenure.

His days on the sidelines have helped to develop the professional careers of several former players including: Cletidus Hunt (Green Bay Packers, NFL), Kitwana Jones (Saskatchewan Rough Riders, CFL), Dewayne Woods (Georgia Force, AFL) and Chris Avery (Grand Rapids Storm, AFL). In addition, Edwards has coached two All-Americans in Hunt at Kentucky State, and linebacker Kitwana Jones at Hampton.

Since Edwards arrived, the Hampton University defense has been ranked in the top ten in several defensive categories. As the linebackers coach in 2003, he helped the HU defense finish the season ranked seventh in the nation in total defense. Edwards then moved on to coach the defensive front in 2004 and the defense led the nation in turnovers (43) as well as finishing second in turnover margin. With another strong defensive front in 2005 Hampton ranked second in scoring defense and sixth in total defense. Last season he directed a defensive line that featured two All-MEAC selections that helped the Pirates rank second in the country in tackles for loss with 8.54 per game.

A 1991 graduate of Delta State University where he earned a bachelors degree in Aviation Management, Edwards was a two-time First Team All-Gulf South selection as a defensive lineman. He was also honored as an All-American by the Football Gazette (1989, 1990) and by the Associated Press (1990).

At the conclusion of his senior season Edwards participated in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game as well as the Senior Bowl and as a result of his performance, he was selected in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. Edwards played three seasons with the Patriots before signing a free agent contract in 1995 with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, with whom he also spent three years.

A native of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Edwards recruits Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. He’s a member of the NFL Retired Player’s Association, the CFL Player’s Association and the American Football Coaches Association (Minority Issues Committee). He is married to the former LuAnn Shockency of Louisville, Kentucky and they have two children Halena & Timothy II.

Photo: FAMU Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach, Steven Jerry

Coach Steven Jerry has served as the running backs coach at the College of William and Mary in the Colonial Athletic Conference for the past four years. He produced an all-conference tailback in each of his three previous seasons as well as serving as the Tribe’s recruiting contact in northwest Virginia, as well as in the western part of Maryland and southern New Jersey.

Elijah Brooks was a prolific performer under Jerry’s tutelage, as he ran for 1,906 yards and 17 touchdowns in his two seasons (2005-06) as the starting tailback. He earned all-conference recognition after both his junior and senior seasons.

Jerry’s first season at W&M was 2004 and his corps of backs proved to be one of the most successful and steady units on the A-10 Championship team, as his tailbacks combined for 1,655 rushing yards and 455 receiving yards on the season. Jerry’s standout on that unit was rugged then-senior Jon Smith, who earned Third-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors by rushing for 15 touchdowns and 784 yards.

Jerry came to William and Mary from Virginia State, where he served as quarterbacks coach. While at Virginia State, Jerry also was the head coach of a pair of arena football2 squads, the Greensboro Prowlers and the Roanoke Steam. Jerry also served as the tight ends coach at East Tennessee State for the 2001 season.

Jerry was no stranger to the Williamsburg campus, as he spent the 2000 season at the College serving as the program’s offensive assistant. From January 1997 until early in 2000, Jerry served in multiple capacities at Central Florida, working as a tight ends coach, an assistant strength and conditioning coach and an assistant track and field coach. He also has collegiate experience at Sienna College and his alma mater, the University of North Carolina.

Jerry was an assistant strength coach at UNC in the summer of 1994. He played both quarterback and wide receiver for the Tar Heel program.

A 1994 graduate of University of North Carolina, Jerry received bachelor’s degrees in both sociology and communications while playing football for the Tar Heels.

He currently resides in Richmond with his wife, Renee’, and the couple has two sons, Christopher (9) and Jonathan (7). Jerry is a native Floridian from Orlando, Florida.

Photo: FAMU Defensive Line Coach, George M. Small

Coach George M. Small previously served three season as the head football coach at North Carolina A&T State University, winning the MEAC championship in his first season (2003) over Joe Taylor's Hampton University Pirates. He was named MEAC coach of the year in 2003 and his 10-3 team made the 1-AA playoffs. He was able to move A&T from a 4-8 record to 10-3 in 2003.

Small is never opposed to learning more about his chosen profession.

Over the summer in 2004, he accepted a coaching internship with the Cleveland Browns. Under new Browns head coach Romeo Crennel, a former teammate of Small's in the NFL, Small assisted with team meetings and team drills. He came away with a better knowledge of the game and will institute some of the ideas he compiled there to help him improve on what has already been an impressive career.

Small has over 23 years of coaching experience as defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and head coach. He brings intensity, energy and a keen understanding of football from all aspects. He knows what it takes to get players to perform.

A native of Raeford, NC, a small town in the southeast portion of the state, Small excelled as an athlete at Hoke County High School. After high school he resumed his athletic career at N.C. A&T State University, where he played on the gridiron as an offensive and defensive lineman. Small played four years of football for the Aggies, earning All-MEAC honors while serving as the team captain during his senior season.

Following the season, Small was honored as a Pittsburgh (PA) Courier All-American, and was selected to the North Carolina All-State team. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/criminal justice in the spring of 1979.

An outstanding student, Small was named as a National Dean’s List honoree, and as Who’s Who Among Outstanding Names and Faces.

Following his scholastic career, Small enjoyed a career in the National Football League. He played a total of five seasons, which included stints with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Small was bit by the coaching bug after his professional career and joined several staffs as a defensive line coach and coordinator. He served stints at Langston (Defensive Coordinator, 1988-89), Savannah State (Defensive Coordinator 1990-91), University of Tulsa (Defensive Line Coach, 1992), Florida A&M (Defensive Coordinator, 1993), and Grambling State (Defensive Coordinator, 1994).

In 1995, Small was given the opportunity to guide his first program as a head coach at NCAA Division II Kentucky State. He took over a team that had not had a winning season in 20 years and made them a title contender with a strong defense. Small had an immediate impact, when in his first season, KSU won the inaugural Pioneer Bowl, the annual clash between the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champions with a 30-26 victory over Livingstone.

In typical Small fashion, the Thorobreds won the game on a defensive goal line stand as the buzzer sounded. KSU finished 7-5 that season and led the NCAA in total defense.

Small was named SIAC Coach of the Year. In 1997, Small was honored by the SIAC and the 100% Wrong Club as Coach of the Year. At KSU, Small produced four players that were drafted into the NFL, and several others joined various professional football leagues. Small completed his career at KSU with a 34-35 record in six seasons as head coach. He was honored as an official Kentucky Colonel former Governor George Patton.

In 2001, he left Kentucky State to become an assistant at Division I-AA power Youngstown State, where he coached the defensive line. The Penguins finished 7-4 on the season, while defensive tackle Guy Mazard was named to the Gateway Football Conference Second Team.

Following the season, Small joined the staff at Hampton, where he coached All-MEAC selection Issac Hilton, a seventh round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. In 2002, the Pirates finished third in the MEAC in total defense (325 yards per contest), second in rushing defense (133.83 yards per game), and third in scoring defense (20.83 points per game). The Pirates finished 7-5 overall, 5-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Small is a member of the American Football Association (AFCA), Association of Black Collegiate Football Coaches (ABCFC), National Football League Alunni Association (NFLAA), and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Photo: FAMU Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach, Lawrence Kershaw

Coach Lawrence Kershaw is a 1995 graduate of Virginia State University. He spent 2007 at Hampton University as the offensive line coach. He served in the same capacity in 2006 at Truman State in Missouri.

Prior to that, Kershaw spent two seasons at Virginia Union University where he was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach, in addition to being the recruiting coordinator and organizing the strength and conditioning program.

Kershaw was also an assistant coach for seven years at Virginia State University of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), where he helped the Trojans win two conference titles. There he served as the running backs coach in 1995, the offensive line coach in 1996-97 and 2000-03, and the offensive coordinator from 2001-03.

In 2000, 2002 and 2003, Kershaw’s offensive line was the best in the CIAA in sacks allowed, while the Virginia State offense also led the conference in numerous offensive categories. From 1995-2003 the program produced 25 all-conference players on offense, including 13 first team selections and three offensive players of the year.

Kershaw also has one year of coaching experience at Fordham University, where he was a volunteer assistant offensive line coach in 1998 for the NCAA Division I FCS program.

Kershaw started his collegiate playing career at Stony Brook where in 1990 he was named to the All-Liberty Conference football team. He played his final two seasons at Virginia State in 1993 and 1994.

Kershaw graduated from Virginia State in 1995 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and in 1997 he received his masters of education in guidance from VSU.

Photo: FAMU Running Backs Coach, Aaron Taylor

Coach Aaron Taylor served seven years on Joe Taylor's Hampton University staff. Last season he served as the running backs coach, after spending time coaching the tight ends and tackles, as well as four years coaching the defensive line.

During his tenure on the defensive side of the ball, Taylor worked with numerous all-conference performers to lead a Hampton defense that ranked amongst the best in the country. With the Pirates’ defensive unit leading Division I-AA in turnovers forced in 2004, Hampton was able to capture its third MEAC championship.

In 2005, his first season overseeing the running backs, he aided Alonzo Coleman and Ardell Daniels in becoming just the third duo in Division I FCS history to rush for 1,000 yards each in consecutive seasons.

The Charleston, Illinois native and oldest son of head coach Joe Taylor is a graduate of Phoebus High School (Va.) where he was a four-year letterman in football.

In 2001 he earned his bachelor’s degree in history/political science from Virginia State University where he also was a member of the Trojans’ football team. His outstanding senior campaign as an offensive guard garnered him All-CIAA honors.

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WSSU's football team will play six home games this fall

The Rams will play six home games and five road games, something that Athletics Director Chico Caldwell says will be beneficial. "I'm happy with the fact that we have six home games," Caldwell said. "With our schedule we've tried to get some balance, but that doesn't mean it will be like that every year. Since we made the move to Division I it's been a challenge to schedule so that's what I've tried to stay ahead and that means looking at schedules years in advance."

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Winston Salem State University 2008 Football Schedule

Sept. 6 at N.C. A&T, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13 Savannah State, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 Morgan State, 6 p.m.
Sept. 27 S.C. State, 6 p.m.
Oct. 4 Howard, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Florida A&M, 6 p.m.
Oct. 25 Bethune-Cookman, 2 p.m. (HOMECOMING)
Nov. 1 at Hampton, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8 at Delaware State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 at N.C. Central
Nov. 22 Norfolk State, 1 pm.

Savannah State head football coach salary released

Photo: Savannah State University head football coach Robby Wells has one year contract to turn program around.

Savannah State University has signed first-year football head coach Robby Wells to a one-year contract with a base salary of $90,000, the school's vice president for administration confirmed Wednesday. "Robby Wells will have a job at Savannah State University as long as I have a job at Savannah State University," Claud Flythe said.

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What's right with this picture?

Coach signed to a ONE year contract at $90,000. SSU football championship subdivision classified football program is given 35 scholarships out of possible 63. The Tigers are on their second NCAA probation through May 18, 2009. Their 1-AA record is 6-58 since they moved up from Division II. They have no conference affiliation.

SSU only victory came in 2007, against Division II, Johnson C. Smith University. The Tigers lost against NAIA Edward Waters College, Division II Fort Valley State and Morehouse College and I-AA Morgan State, Bethune-Cookman, Charleston Southern, N.C. Central, Gardner-Webb and Mississippi Valley State.

So, who's expecting a miracle? Some schools should just stay outta Division I.

-beepbeep