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Dover, DE - Delaware State University's new offensive coordinator is hoping the keys to success he learned with the NFL champion San Francisco 49ers in the early 1980s will pay dividends for the Hornets this season.
"The success of the 49ers was the result of a winning attitude in all areas," said DSU offensive coordinator Arrington Jones, III, who was selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 1981 NFL draft. Jones spent most of the '81 season with the 49ers, which defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.
"Everything about the San Francisco organization was geared toward winning; from camp, to practice, to our walk, talk, speech, dress and attitude," said Jones, who also played professionally for the United States Football League's Washington Federals from 1983 to '86. Jones was tapped by new DSU head coach Kermit Blount to direct the Hornet offense. He served three years as Blount's offensive coordinator when the two men were at Winston-Salem State University.
Tallahassee, FL - From a distance, it was clear linebacker Kevin Nelsonhasn't been in the Florida A&M system longer than the two days the team has been practicing. But Nelson demonstrated an eye for the ball Wednesday afternoon. It moved right, he headed in that direction. Left or up the middle, he was right there too.
"Be patient," FAMU defensive coordinator Earl Holmes pleaded. Nelson obliged.
On the opposite side of the field where the offense worked out, slot receiver Al-Terek McBurse was also trying to make plays. McBurse and Nelson are the latest transfers from Division I programs — Nelson from Miami and McBurse from Purdue. They don't have to sit out a year because they've transferred down a classification.
Both worked out with the second team, but FAMU coach Joe Taylor said they can expect plenty of playing time. They will fill voids that were created with linebacker Willie Ferrell and receiver T.J. Lawrence being academically ineligible to play this season.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – At 12:31 p.m. on Thursday (Aug. 11), North Carolina Central University received a letter from the NCAA confirming the university’s active membership in Division I athletics.
The five-year reclassification process moving from Division II athletics competition to Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) is now over, and NCCU is eligible to participate in post-season championships starting this fall.
"Gaining full membership to NCAA Division I has been our goal for several years now and I am excited and delighted to see it come to pass," said NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms. "I appreciate what a tremendous effort this was for Athletic Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree and her entire team, and I thank and congratulate them for the superb job they did. The Eagles have arrived!"
In Thursday’s letter to Nelms, Stephen Mallonee, the NCAA’s Managing Director of Academic and Membership Affairs/Division I Governance Liaison, wrote, “It is my pleasure to inform you that the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved the recommendation from the NCAA Division I Administration Cabinet to elect North Carolina Central University to Division I active membership effective September 1 (or the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year if earlier than September 1).”
“I am thrilled about the NCAA’s final decision,” said NCCU Athletics Director Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “We worked diligently towards meeting all of the requirements set forth by the NCAA and with the continued support from Dr. Nelms and our Board of Trustees, we accomplished a magnificent task. We will strive to continue meeting all NCAA Division I and MEAC requirements. Our continued goals are to graduate our student-athletes, win championships and maintain institutional control.”
The journey to NCAA Division I ranks officially began on Nov. 16, 2005, when the NCCU Board of Trustees voted unanimously approving the university to move forward with making an application to the NCAA to reclassify its athletics program to Division I.
The Eagles captured eight conference team titles in their final two seasons as a Division II member in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) before competing as an independent without conference affiliation starting in the fall of 2007.
On Sept. 10, 2009, the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) announced that NCCU will become its 13th member institution effective July 1, 2010. The Eagles spent the 2010-11 campaign as provisional members of the MEAC, meaning they were not eligible to compete for a conference championship or earn conference accolades.
On Friday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., the NCCU volleyball team will host the first athletic competition as an active Division I member when the Eagles host Campbell inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
Ironically, it was the volleyball team that opened NCCU’s Division I era back on Aug. 24, 2007. Although just one year removed from Division II status and playing as a reclassifying program without a conference to call home, the Eagles captured wins over MEAC foe Norfolk State and ACC opposition North Carolina State on that historic Friday.
Orangeburg, S.C. - At two and a half hours, Thursday's practice in full gear was the longest of the preseason thus far for the South Carolina State football team. It was also the most vexing for the coaching staff, who could not contain their displeasure, particularly with the offense.
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kevin Magouirk was especially critical of his group's execution during drills.
"We're too soft," he said. "We've got to toughen up. We've got to get to the same level of our defense and maybe we'll stand a chance in a game." Head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough acknowledges the offense is particularly impeded by ...
Jackson, MS - Jackson State coach Rick Comegy believes he’s going to have a good football team this season. And he’s not afraid to say so.
“We’ve got guys who are mature and we’ve got guys who can play ball,” said Comegy, who enters his fifth season with the Tigers. “This should be the kind of year where we show how football at Jackson State is played.”
Confidence abounds at Jackson State, which is coming off an 8-3 season.
Much of that bravado is due to the return of quarterback Casey Therriault, who is coming off one of the best passing seasons in school history. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior threw for 3,436 yards last season and tied a school record with 31 touchdowns passes. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns in his first season...
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Deaunte Mason strengthened his grip on Alabama A&M's starting quarterback job with a near flawless performance Wednesday night during the Bulldogs' first preseason scrimmage.
Mason completed his first seven passes as the first-team offense dominated the first-team defense, scoring on back-to-back possessions, to open the scrimmage. Mason finished 7-of-8 for 74 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Montarius Smith to cap a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. Mason was 5-for-5 for 51 yards on the drive.
On the second possession of the scrimmage, Mason was 2-for-2 for 23 yards and capped the seven-play, 70-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown ...
Philadelphia, PA - Doug Williams laughs that a lot of his football players at Grambling State didn't know much about him when he returned to his alma mater for a second stint as head coach.
Dezmond Spivey knew him well. He just laughs at Williams' style.
"He's a character, he's a comedian," Spivey said. "When he imitates Coach Rob, he goes 'only in America' and certain things. And I can say this, when there's a scenario to be given, he has one for every single thing."
Spivey's father played with Williams for one season at Grambling State under Coach Rob - the legendary Eddie Robinson - so Dezmond has a history with the Tigers' new coach that includes attending...
RICHMOND, VA - Standing on the Richmond Coliseum court, Governor Bob McDonnell along with coaches, athletic directors and other officials from eight Virginia universities announced today the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic”, a basketball doubleheader to benefit Virginia’s Food Banks. The “Classic” will take place in December 2012 and 2013 and feature in-state teams representing the ACC, CAA, MEAC and Atlantic 10.
Baton Rouge, LA - Even these days, after the Southern football team finishes off a long practice in gruesome conditions, Brandon Rice often bounces through the hallways of the A.W. Mumford Field House with an ear-to-ear grin.
No relief from the heat? No relief from preseason camp? No end in sight to team meetings and film sessions? No problem. At least, that’s the kind of attitude teammates often see from Rice.
At any moment, the junior tailback has a few things on display: his long dreadlocks, his length-of-the-arm tattoos, and an intimate knowledge of the Jaguars’ playbook. Not to mention that ear-to-ear grin. Plenty are the times when Rice has a joke or a compliment for someone in the room.
Pine Bluff, AK - The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions football team officially opened camp on Monday with over 90 players reporting for fall drills all vying for playing time and a chance to compete for several open slots on the Golden Lions depth chart.
A new era in Golden Lions football will begin in at the start of the season as UAPB welcomes the addition of Eric Dooley as Offensive Coordinator, Earl Buckingham as linebackers coach, and Marty Biagi as defensive backs coach.
There will also be a new face behind center with the departure of Joshua Boudreux who last season broke the 3,000 yard barrier while setting new records in several statistical categories. In addition offensively the Golden Lions will look to replace Raymond Webber who led the NCAA FCS tallying 101 receptions while racking up 1,429 receiving yards.
UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman is optimistic that those voids left from last seasons' departures all across the board can be filled by a talented group of newcomers that will look to make immediate impacts.
“The starting quarterback position is completely up for grabs,” said Coleman. “With that in mind we have two red shirt freshmen in C.J. Branch and Ben Anderson as well as a transfer in Dewayne Watts that will compete for the starting position. With none of them having any playing experience at this level we plan on going with the player that exhibits the best decision making ability within the confines of what we're going to try to do offensively. Whichever one of these young men separates himself in that regards is going to be our starter.”
“At the wide receiver position last season our top receiver caught over 100 receptions. If we're able to spread the ball around more this season and have three or four guys catch 30-40 receptions we would be pleased with that. We plan to do a lot of the same stuff offensively so we anticipate our players will be able to adjust easily to Dooley's system. The biggest part of this transition will be our players grasping the new terminology.”
Defensively the Golden Lions will be anchored by 2011 SWAC Preseason First Team selection Jer-ryan Harris and cornerback James Harrell who looks to have a breakout year after starting off strong last season.
Discipline, focus, and quick reaction was consistently relayed to the defense on the first day of camp with several players running to the ball at all times. On the defensive side of the ball Arkansas-Pine Bluff also welcomes back Michael Johnson (DT), Joe Brown (DB), and Jamel Maxwell (DB) who return from injuries.
“It was good to see several guys from last years' team who had to sit out much of last season,” said Coleman. “Johnson, Brown, and Maxwell all have contributed to this program in the past and they all seemed fired up to be back out on the football field. Collectively the defense flew around today and as a coach you're always pleased to see that early on. I feel we started camp today with the right team attitude and we'll look to get better tomorrow.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff will continue camp on Tuesday at 2:15 pm at the Golden Lions practice field. UAPB will host two scrimmages on Friday, August 19th at the White Hall football stadium at 7:00 pm and another on August 24th at 6:00 pm at the UAPB practice field. Both scrimmages are set to be open to the general public.
Norfolk, VA - The first two days of practice for Norfolk State are in the books with a few noteworthy occurrences. The biggest move was sophomore Nico Washington going from defensive line to offensive line in an effort to help solve NSU's biggest issue heading into the season.
A defensive tackle who played in all 11 games and made eight tackles in 2010 as a true freshman, Washington is the leading candidate to begin the season at right tackle. There's good and bad to that.
Orangeburg, S.C. - Malcolm Long wants South Carolina State fans to view his football legacy in a positive way. "I'd like to be remembered as a successful quarterback," he said.
The school record books can more than affirm the Gaffney native's accomplishments. During Long's four seasons under center, he essentially rewrote the S.C. State all-time record book by surpassing 15 single-game, single-season and career marks.
There's also the 27-8 overall and 21-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record as a three-year starter to go with three conference titles, three Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances, a 2009 Black College Football National Championship, not to mention five Class 4-A titles in football (3) and basketball (2) at Gaffney High School.
DOVER, DE -- Justin Wilson has weathered the storm of three consecutive losing seasons at Delaware State University. But the junior wide receiver says the difficult times have spurred him to work harder, because he knows football isn't a sport about individual glory but about reaching team goals.
So while getting the nod as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's preseason offensive player of the year was nice, Wilson said he's more concerned about the prediction that DSU will finish eighth in the MEAC under first-year coach Kermit Blount.
"It means a lot," Wilson said, of his preseason recognition. "It just shows that all of the hard work we did [last] season paid off. I know our record didn't show it as much, but it just motivates me to work even harder and get more accolades as the season goes on."
Wilson opened some eyes around the MEAC last season as a player that defenses had to key on.
Tallahassee, FL - Former minor league outfielder Willie Brown will become the next head baseball coach at Florida A&M, the Tallahassee Democrat learned late Tuesday night.
Efforts to reach FAMU athletic director Derek Horne were unsuccessful and calls to Brown's cell phone went directly to a voicemail. However, multiple sources said they've had knowledge of Brown's hiring as early as Monday.
He is expected to bring on Tonayne Brown, a former Godby (High School, Tallahassee) standout who also played professional ball, as his assistant.
Brown, who resigned as Maclay High School's (Tallahassee) baseball coach at the end of this past season, becomes the second consecutive FAMU alum hired as a head coach. Former Rattler Clemon Johnson was recently hired as men's basketball coach.
NOTE: The list of candidates included: former Florida A&M and minor league outfielder Willie Brown (who recently resigned as head coach at Maclay High School), Santa Fe Community College assistant Bruce Larkins, former Bethune-Cookman University assistant Joel Sanchez, Keith Shumate (who recently resigned as head coach at North Carolina A&T) and Brett Richardson, current FAMU interim baseball head coach.
From academic casualty to walk-on to pre-season All-America, former Dodger now fulfilling potential.
Raleigh, N.C. - Darnell Evans began practicing this week for his Shaw University encore. The former Madison High School standout is coming off a 2010 football season in which he led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association with six interceptions and was the only freshman named to the all-conference First Team.
The cornerback helped the Bears to their third CIAA title in four years and earned the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Already named as a Consensus Draft Service Preseason All-American First Team selection—one of only four sophomores on the first team—it's easy to see that Evans was destined for an impressive collegiate career.
Except he almost never gave himself the chance for such accomplishments.
Had he not refocused his academic energies at County College of Morris, then spent a second year in the Shaw classroom, Evans would've been left imagining success instead of realizing it.
Tallahassee, FL - LeDawn Gibson will have two more years to complete her turnaround of the Florida A&M women's basketball team.
A day after the school's Board of Trustees approved a two-year contract extension for Gibson, FAMU president James Ammons said Friday it was a "huge vote of confidence." He also said he is optimistic that Gibson could take the team farther than it has gone in the past three seasons when it reached the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.
"As we take a look at where the program was before she came and the progress over these last three years," he said, "we think we are a short time away from hitting pay dirt."
Coach LeDawn Gibson has successfully made the transition from Winter Haven High School to become a successful Division I level coach. Just ask East Carolina University that was defeated by the Lady Rattlers 89-85 at the Iowa State Cyclone Challenge last December. Gibson knocked off both South Florida and Florida in an 18-11 season in 2009. She has made some superb moves in the hiring of assistant coaches Stephen Joyner, who was promoted to the head women's basketball coaching position at Winston Salem State and veteran assistant Freddie Murray from North Carolina A&T. Coach Murray was a top assistant under legendary coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs and is noted for being a great recruiter and position coach.
It appears the combine skills of Gibson and Murray have already paid the gas bill--with the signing of four junior college transfers and seven high school recruits with most in the Rivals 3-4 star category. This is going to be a very exciting team to watch over the next several years, as we expect Coach Gibson to earn her first MEAC championship and NCAA Championship berth.
Bastrop, LA — Considering his family history, it’s hardly a surprise to find Jackie Skipper coaching football.
His grandfather, the late Johnnie Pegues, was the final head coach at Morehouse High School prior to integration and went on to become defensive coordinator and head track coach at Bastrop High. In addition to coaching, Pegues was a longtime official in the SWAC.
“I guess you could say my grandfather had something to do with where I am today,” Skipper smiled. “A lot of people knew him or knew of him. He coached everything. I didn’t find out until recently that he won a state championship in girls basketball.”
Skipper’s grandmother, Princess Pegues, is a retired Bastrop High teacher and was recently named as national president of the Women’s Missionary Council.
Grambling, LA - The Grambling State offense will spend the remaining three-plus weeks of fall camp sorting out who will be the starting quarterback when the Tigers open the season Sept. 3 against Alcorn State in Shreveport.
Defensive coordinator Clifford Yoshida, however, already knows who will handle the leadership role on his defense — senior middle linebacker Cliff Exama. Once a man without a real home on defense, Exama has evolved into a tackling machine and a trusted Yoshida aide.
"I recruited Cliff out of (North Miami Beach) Florida and we always thought he'd be a good football player," Yoshida said. "It's come to fruition."
After bouncing from a standup defensive end to weak side linebacker, Exama, who was lightly recruited out of high school, settled in at middle linebacker and the numbers quickly added up.
1. Develop the offensive line With only one returning starter and one other proven option, the Spartans offensive front could be anywhere from average to atrocious. Tackle Kendall Noble is excellent, and center Michael Kay did well as NSU's utility lineman last year, but one starter is inexperienced, another moved from defense this week and the final spot is up for grabs.
2. Find big-play corners Despite seemingly solid players all over the
defensive side, NSU finished last in the MEAC in interceptions in 2010. Coach Pete Adrian's teams traditionally have won the turnover battle and the defensive backs have been the stars, but last year was an exception. They'll have to find a way to do better while breaking in two new cornerbacks, though the inexperience isn't as glaring as it is on the offensive line.
3. Determine the RB rotation No individual is going to eat up DeAngelo Branche's 25 carries per game. The Spartans must figure out ...
Orangeburg, S.C. - Buddy Pough put it out there during the summer of 2009.
Juavahr Nathan, the S.C. State head coach insisted, could be the next great Bulldogs' offensive lineman. Standing on Willie E. Jeffries Field early Saturday morning surveying the scene at the Bulldogs' media day, Nathan responded quickly when reminded of what his coach said of him two summers ago.
"I'm nowhere near close (to being the next great lineman)," he said. "I still have a long way to go. I still have more steps to take. I still have some goals I have to reach personally and for the entire offensive line."
That may be so, but the redshirt senior from Stratford High School, a preseason first-team All-MEAC selection and FCS first-team All-America selection by The Sporting News, appears poised to put together one final, stellar campaign for the three-time defending MEAC Champs. At one time weighing as much as 330 pounds, and despite dealing with a knee injury in the offseason, Nathan is down to...
Tallahassee, FL - Tavoris Cloud walked to the podium inside the Gallimore Field House and announced to the Florida A&M football team that he'd left his notes home, then proceeded to freestyle his way through a speech that was humorous as much as it was motivational.
Coach Joe Taylor said he invited the undefeated Tallahassee boxer to give the Rattlers some insight Monday night on what it takes to be a champion, as a prelude to the start of practice Wednesday. Cloud holds the IBF version of the world light heavyweight title and FAMU is co-defending MEAC champion.
Cloud talked about his commitment to training, his struggle to become a world champion and how to cope with distractions. He didn't come off as...
Albany, GA - Mike White knows how to build championships, step by sandy step. White, who has coached the Albany State football team to five SIAC titles in the last decade, sat in the bed of his truck as the sun rose early Monday morning, encouraging his players as they ran up and down the famed sand dunes near the ASU football field.
“These dunes have been around for a long time, and we have been running them for a long time,” White reflected. “(The players) are always excited about getting started and excited about coming over, because this is the way we start off each year. Hit the dunes and see what kind of shape we are in.”
It’s a tradition that has cemented itself in the Rams’ program — one that is built on determination and teamwork, which were both on display Monday morning.
“It’s all about coming together as a team, and seeing who is ready to have your back,” junior Justin Blash said as he was catching his breath and brushing sand off his hands.
Bowie, MD - Following a standout career at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Ramono Flowers headed to Central Michigan University to play Division I football.
But after one redshirt season in 2003, Flowers left Central Michigan for personal reasons. His former Central Michigan head coach, Brian Kelly, left for Cincinnati in 2006 and is now the head coach at Notre Dame. Former CMU assistant Butch Jones is now the head coach at Cincinnati.
"I was working for a few years," said Flowers, who worked in the home security business. "I wanted to go out and play [college football], but I did not have the funds" to pay for college.
But then Flowers, who grew up in Largo, ran into Damon Wilson, the head football coach at Division II Bowie State. Flowers grew up playing with the brother of Wilson in a youth league in the Kettering area of Prince George's County.
Winston Salem, N.C. - The offseason has been long for coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State. He helped turn the football program around in his first season, taking the Rams to an 8-2 record and keeping them in contention for the CIAA title.
Fans were happy, alumni were thrilled, and wins over rivals N.C. Central and N.C. A&T — both Football Championship Subdivision teams — were icing on the cake. But all the success, after a 1-10 finish the season before he took over, wasn't enough for the ultra-competitive Maynor.
Close losses to Shaw and St. Augustine's left the Rams 11 points short of a perfect regular season and the chance to play for the CIAA championship.
Dover, DE - Delaware State University's new offensive coordinator is hoping the keys to success he learned with the NFL champion San Francisco 49ers in the early 1980s will pay dividends for the Hornets this season.
