Jackson State riding five-game win streak into Saturday's SWAC title game

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Jackson State coach Rick Comegy isn't making any excuses for the way his team started the season.

The Tigers dropped four of their first six games this season, giving up an average of 34 points per contest. In the final of those losses, a 34--24 defeat at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on October 6^th, they allowed 21 points in the second quarter alone.

But none of that matters anymore.

That game was the last one JSU dropped. Since then, it's reeled off five-straight victories, including wins at Alabama State, against Mississippi Valley State, at Grambling State, against Alabama A&M and at Alcorn State to find themselves to earn a Southwestern Athletic Conference eastern division crown.

The Tigers (7-4) will travel to Birmingham for Saturday's conference title game in a rematch against the last team that beat them. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Legion Field and the game will be aired live on ESPNU.




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Odums, Jenkins among six head coach semi-finalists

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern University has narrowed its search for the future head football coach to six semi-finalists, athletics director Dr. William Broussard announced Monday.
The finalist pool includes coaches with an average of 18 years of NCAA coaching experience, includes 4 former or current head coaches who have won or appeared in multiple black college national championships and bowl games, extensive experience recruiting Louisiana prep student-athletes, and all 6 coaches have HBCU coaching experience.

Among the six candidates vying to fill Southern's coaching vacancy are Alabama State special teams coordinator John M. Hendrick, current Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins, current SU interim coach Dawson Odums, Nevada offensive line coach James Spady, and two other finalists who wish to remain unidentified due to their respective seasons not yet coming to an end.

Broussard is scheduled to conduct a 30-minute phone interview with each of the candidates this week before condensing the six semi-finalists to as many as three who will potentially make on-campus visits.

Hendrick, a former Tulane assistant head coach and LSU tight ends coach, presently serves as the special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach at Alabama State. The University of Pittsburgh graduate helped produce two All-Conference USA defensive lineman while at Tulane from 2011-12 and was a member of Bill Synder's Kansas State coaching staff in 1991-92 that helped turnaround the worst program in college football history. Hendrick also served as Southern's offensive line coach in 1986.

Jenkins is widely considered a rising star in Division I coaching ranks after producing a 28-7 record at Bethune Cookman College which includes two MEAC championships and two FCS playoff appearances. In his first season as the Wildcats head coach, Jenkins led Bethune Cookman to the school's first-ever HBCU national championship and was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 2 Coach of the Year. Jenkins also spent seven years as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2002-2009.

Odums' previous title of defensive coordinator changed to interim head coach two games into Southern's 2012 season. The North Carolina native and N.C. Central graduate proceeded to lead the Jaguars to a 4-5 finish after an 0-2 start, claiming signature wins over Jackson State, Florida A&M and Grambling. Odums arrived at Southern in 2011 after a 3-year stint at N.C. A&T where he served as the Aggies' co-defensive coordinator in 2010 and defensive line coach in 2009. Odums also served as the interim head coach at Clark Atlanta during the 2004 season and head coach in 2005.

Spady spent several seasons at some of black college football's elite programs before becoming the offensive tackles and tight ends coach at the University of Nevada, where the Wolfpack finished ranked #2 in FBS in total offense in 2010 and are currently in the Top 10 in several categories in 2012. Spady served as Grambling's offensive coordinator from 2007-2009 helping the Tigers win a SWAC title after an 11-2 record in 2008. Spady, who played four years as a center at Texas-El Paso, also helped win conference titles at N.C. Central in 2006, South Carolina State in 2004 and UTEP in 2000, while adding HBCU national championships in 2006 (NCCU) and 2008 (Grambling) to his resume.

Broussard expects to present his choice for Southern's next head coach at a Dec. 14 Board of Supervisors meeting on the Baton Rouge campus.


COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Dwight Floyd WEEKLY COMMENTARY: FAMU Interviews Potential Band Director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  There is perhaps not a greater time in the history of Florida A&M than now, where the University finds itself in such a fragile position. The FAMU Board of Trustees must identify and approve a new university president.

Almost as important are applicants to be selected for the head football coaching position, Special Assistant to the President for Anti-Hazing, and director of bands. After identifying the top four candidates for the director of bands, the selection committee recently invited them to tour FAMU, work with selected band members and talk about the job.

Previous band directors
 P.A. Van Weller, 1892–1898
 Nathaniel C. Adderly, 1910–1918
 Leander A. Kirksey, 1930–1945
 Dr. William P. Foster, 1945–1998
 Dr. Julian E. White, 1998–2012



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Tennessee State Women's hoops prepares for Montana State

GAMEDAY

The Tennessee State University women's basketball team will conclude its three-game road stint at Montana State on Monday, Dec. 3. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. in Worthington Arena.

THE LADY TIGERS AT A GLANCE
The Lady Tigers (3-4) had won two straight before dropping its most recent game to Montana, 71-48, at the 32nd annual Lady Griz Classic. The Lady Tigers went 1-1 at the tournament after defeating Idaho in the first game. Simone Hopes and Kesi Hess were named to the All-Tournament team for TSU.

As a team, TSU is averaging 53.7 points per outing while shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 22.0 percent from beyond the arc. TSU is currently shooting only 67.2 percent from the free-throw line while committing an average of 17.9 turnovers per game.

TSU averages 38.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 9.9 steals per game.

LAST TIME OUT

Tennessee State suffered a 71-48 loss to Montana at the Lady Griz Classic Saturday night. TSU was outrebounded, 41-29, and got outscored, 37-22, in the second half. Simone Hopes was the lone Lady Tiger to post double-figures in scoring with 13 points to go with six rebounds. Kesi Hess followed with eight points and five steals. Hopes and Kesi Hess were named to the All-Tournament team.

ABOUT MONTANA STATE

Montana State is coming off a 71-65 win over Utah State on Saturday. The Bobcats had won three straight before falling to Southern Methodist, 71-70. The Big Sky member bounced back from the loss to SMU by defeating UM-Western and Utah State for consecutive victories.

In the win over Utah State, Kallie Durham paced the Bobcats with 18 points while Ashley Brumwell (14), Rachel Semansky (13) and Jackie Elliot (11) also scored in double-digits.

As a team, Montana State averages 68.5 ppg behind a .421 shooting percentage. The Bobcats are only shooting, .247 from three-point range and average 19.2 turnovers per game.

Durham leads the team in scoring with 14.5 ppg while Semasky follows with 13.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg.

TSU vs. MONTANA STATE

Tennessee State and Montana State will meet for the first time in the two programs' history.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

TSU will have a nearly a two week break before hosting Cleveland State on Dec. 16 in the Gentry Center.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Volusia County basketball rivals Stetson, Bethune-Cookman face off

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  — Both Stetson coach Casey Alexander and Bethune-Cookman coach Gravelle Craig say the geographical rivalry between their teams is good for both basketball programs.

But pride and bragging rights will take a back seat at 7 p.m. Monday when the Wildcats host the Hatters at Moore Gymnasium.

The coaches are more concerned with getting their teams straightened out for their upcoming conference schedules. While Stetson (2-3) is coming off its worst loss of the season — a 92-56 whipping at Virginia Commonwealth on Wednesday — B-CU (2-6) has lost three straight.

 

“We're starting over in a way,'' Alexander said. “We're not supposed to go to VCU and win, but you want to execute at a higher level and compete.''

Center Adam Pegg was held to one point before fouling out against the Rams, lowering his season average to 14.0 points per game. Leading scorer Aaron Graham (16.3 ppg) missed the game with a bruised foot and has been day-to-day since.

 

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St. Joseph's Men's Basketball Travels To Coppin State on Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -  Saint Joseph's (4-2) will look to get back on the winning track when it visits Coppin State (1-6) on Tuesday evening. Game time at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore is 7:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on SportsRadio 610 WIP with Matt Martucci and Joe Lunardi calling the action. Audio streaming of the game will be available on SJUHawks.com free of charge.

LISTEN LIVE

Fans can also access the broadcast on their mobile devices by going to IRadioPhilly.com.



COURTESY ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

WSSU's Connell Maynor, Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins Named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year

WACO, Texas. -  Winston-Salem State University head football coach, Connell Maynor (CIAA) and Bethune-Cookman University (MEAC) head coach Brian Jenkins were selected as American Football Coaches Association's 2012 Regional Coach orf the Year winners.

 

Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and first-time winner Dino Babers of Eastern Illinois highlight today’s announcement of the American Football Coaches Association’s 2012 Regional Coach of the Year winners.

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

The 2012 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2013 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8.

In just his third year as head coach of Notre Dame, Kelly has guided the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 record, a No. 1 ranking in the BCS standings and a spot in the BCS National Championship game.

Kelly is looking to lead Notre Dame to its first National Championship since 1988 and its first of the BCS era. Babers earned his first Regional Coach of the Year Award by leading Eastern Illinois to a 7-5 record a year after going 2-9. Babers led Eastern Illinois to the Ohio Valley Conference title and an appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs in his first year as the Panther’s head coach.



2012 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners

Football Bowl Subdivision
Region 1: Charlie Strong, University of Louisville
Region 2: Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M University*
Region 3: Brian Kelly, University of Notre Dame
Region 4: Bill Snyder, Kansas State University
Region 5: Mike Riley, Oregon State University

Football Championship Subdivision
Region 1: Sean McDonnell, University of New Hampshire
Region 2: Brian Jenkins, Bethune-Cookman University &
Chuck Priore, Stony Brook University (tie)
Region 3: Dino Babers, Eastern Illinois University
Region 4: Trent Miles, Indiana State University
Region 5: Rob Ash, Montana State University &
Willie Fritz, Sam Houston State University* (tie)

Division II
Region 1: Mark Maciejewski, Shippensburg University
Region 2: Connell Maynor, Winston-Salem State University
Region 3: Lee Owens, Ashland University
Region 4: Don Carthel, West Texas A&M University
Region 5: Aaron Keen, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Division III
Region 1: Mike Cragg, Hobart College
Region 2: Tom Watts, Ohio Wesleyan University
Region 3: Pete Fredenburg, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Region 4: Larry Kehres, University of Mount Union*
Region 5: Patrick Cerroni, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

NAIA
Region 1: Bill Cronin, Georgetown College (Ky.)*
Region 2: Ted Karras, Jr., Marian University*
Region 3: Paul Troth, Missouri Valley College
Region 4: Steve Ryan, Morningside College*
Region 5: Chuck Morrell, Montana Tech
*-2011 winner

 

Award History: The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year.

The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division.

In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners, and the number of divisions was increased from two to four, and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20.

In 2006, the AFCA Division II Award was split into separate Division II and NAIA divisions, giving us the 25 winners we now recognize.

Repeat Winners: Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin, Sam Houston State’s Willie Fritz, Mount Union’s Larry Kehres, Georgetown’s Bill Cronin, Marian’s Ted Karras and Morningside’s Steve Ryan are the repeat winners from 2011. Ryan added his third Regional honor in 2012.

Multiple Winners: Other multiple winners in the 2012 class are Pete Fredenburg (sixth; 2000-02-05-07-10-12), Brian Kelly (fifth; 1998-2001-08-09-12), Bill Snyder (fourth; 1993-98-99-12), Sean McDonnell (third; 2004-05-12), Chuck Priore (third; 2004-05-12), Paul Troth (third; 2006-07-12), Don Carthel (second; 2007-12), Mike Cragg (second; 2002-12), Brian Jenkins (second; 2010-12), Trent Miles (second; 2010-12) and Mike Riley (second; 2008-12).

First Time Winners: Ten coaches earned their first AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Award in 2012: Louisville’s Charlie Strong, Eastern Illinois’ Dino Babers, Montana State’s Rob Ash, Shippensburg’s Mark Maciejewski, Winston-Salem State’s Connell Maynor, Ashland’s Lee Owens, Minnesota State-Mankato’s Aaron Keen, Ohio Wesleyan’s Tom Watts, Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Patrick Cerroni and Montana Tech’s Chuck Morrell.

AFCA National Coach of the Year: The AFCA will announce its five 2012 National Coach of the Year winners at the 2012 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. All head coaches who were eligible for regional honors are eligible for national honors as well.

COURTESY AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION