Hampton University head football coach Connell Maynor resigns after four seasons

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Less than one week after announcing its plans to leave the MEAC for a new conference (Big South), Hampton University is looking for a new football coach.

Connell Maynor resigned from his position Monday, the school confirmed in a release. Assistant coach Michael Ketchum will oversee the football program until Maynor’s successor is named.

In four seasons at Hampton, Maynor led the Pirates to a 20-and-25 record.

The Pirates’ head coach told the Sportswrap he will resign, effective Tuesday morning.

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Makes Change Atop Its Football Program

MONTE COLEMAN

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced Monday that it will not renew the contract of Monte Coleman when it expires on December 31, 2017. Coleman has served as head football coach for the Golden Lions since 2008.

The Golden Lions went 40-70 in 10 years under Coleman, including capturing UAPB's first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference outright championship in 2012 with a 10-2 record. Since that championship season, however, the Golden Lions experienced consecutive losing seasons of 2-9 in 2013, 4-7 in 2014, 2-9 in 2015, 1-10 in 2016 and 2-9 this season. Director of Athletics Lonza Hardy Jr. said it was time to make a change and move the program in another direction.

"I thank Coach Coleman and his staff for the hard work they put forth over the years as he tried to build a formidable program at UAPB," said Hardy. "We wish him all the best as he now looks to the next chapter in his career. As for UAPB, it was simply time for us to make a change and start the process of returning Golden Lion football to prominence."

A search committee has been formed and has the goal of naming a new head coach prior to the start of the December holiday break. Until then, Ted White, offensive coordinator, will oversee the program. The assistant coaching staff will remain intact and continue the program's recruitment efforts.

"Our search committee will identify and interview prospective coaches who are committed to the mission and vision of our University, the welfare of our student-athletes, both academically and athletically, and have innovative ideas and game strategies. We need someone who will put a premium on winning consistently," said Hardy.

For any questions, please contact UAPB Sports Information Director Habtom Keleta at (870) 575-7949.

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Mississippi Valley State Release Head Football Coach Rick Comegy

COMEGY ENDS CAREER WITH DELTA DEVILS WITH 6-38 RECORD

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Statement from Mississippi Valley State University:

We have decided that the contract of Head Football Coach Rick Comegy, which ends on Dec. 31, 2017, will not be renewed. We are thankful to Coach Comegy for his commitment to the Delta Devils over the past four seasons. We appreciate Coach Comegy for his service to MVSU, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

As we transition, Vincent Dancy, will serve as MVSU's interim head football coach, and a search committee will begin the process of selecting our next head football coach immediately.

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FAMU Marching 100 debut first new uniforms in 15 years

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Marching 100 debuted their first new uniforms in nearly 15 years.

The new uniforms, along with new instruments and a branded trailer to carry band equipment, were revealed at the Florida Classic on Saturday thanks to over $500,000 in donations. The orange, green and black outfits began with a donation from FAMU alumni Bernard and Shirley Kinsey who put in $250,000. That was quickly matched by the Office of Academic Affairs.

"Now, with the new uniforms, begins a new era," Band President Justin Fitzpatrick said. "It will be exciting to see where the program goes from here."

More than 300 uniforms were custom designed for all 241 band members, including special uniforms for the drum majors and flag corps. The uniforms also include a patch on the cuffs of the original Rattler mascot the band has used sinice 1972.

The uniforms, along with the band, will be in the national spotlight when the Marching 100 take part in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

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Delaware State Fires Athletic Director and Head Football Coach

Delaware State Hornets embarrassed by Florida State 77-6; Kenneth Carter ends DSU Career with 3-30 record (1-10, 0-11, and 2-9).  

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State University on Sunday announced it has promoted a senior associate athletics director to interim athletics director and won't extend the contact of its head football coach.

Mary Hill, senior associate athletics director for internal operations and senior woman administrator, is in her fifth year at DSU and already is supervising seven major sports, according to a university news release. She'll now serve as interim director of athletics.

“Mary enjoys the trust of all our coaches and athletes,” Vice President for Student Affairs Stacy Downing said in the release. "We expect the transition to be a seamless one.”

Delaware State paid $475,000 guarantee for the game with FSU Seminoles.

Hill came to DSU from South Carolina State University after a career in both coaching and sports administration, according to the news release.

The university decided not to continue its relationship with former athletics director Louis "Skip" Perkins, who came to DSU in 2015 as the interim athletics director. He'd served in similar roles at Howard University and the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff.

Head football coach Kenneth Carter's contact ends Jan. 31, and the university won't extend his contact. The process to recruit a new coach begins in December.

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Spady not returning to Alabama A&M as head football coach

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M University announced Sunday that James Spady will not return as Head Football Coach. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks.

"After careful and deliberate observation of our football program, we felt a change was needed. We thank Coach Spady for his efforts and leadership of the football program and wish him much success in his future endeavors," Hicks said

Alabama A&M University will be making a personnel decision in the immediate future.

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Gold Rush grab homecoming win vs. Huston-Tillotson

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana overcame a season-worst 27 turnovers by shooting a season-best 52.5 percent from the floor, making nine 3-pointers and outrebounding Huston-Tillotson by 16 Saturday in an 82-68 men's basketball homecoming victory before 1,911 fans at the Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush (5-2) snapped a two-game losing streak and won at home for the second time in as many attempts this season.

XULA junior guard Virgil Davison, who entered the game shooting 32.1 percent from the floor, was 6-of-10 from the floor and made 5-of-7 3-pointers to score a game-high 17 points. Davison led the Gold Rush in scoring for the fifth time this season.

Jeff Dixon snapped out of a four-game scoring slump with 11 points for XULA, and Mike Williams made a pair of threes and scored eight points. But the Gold Rush had more players with turnovers (13) than with points (11).


Kalil Potts scored 14 points, Ray Edwards 13 and Evan Stewart 11 for Huston-Tillotson (0-2).

XULA maintained a double-digit lead the final 29:17, led 42-25 at halftime and held its largest advantage, 60-33, on a Jalen David basket with 11:46 remaining.

The Rams shot 36.1 from the floor — the sixth time in seven games that XULA held an opponent to less than 40 percent — and was outrebounded 42-26. Elex Carter grabbed a game-high seven rebounds for the Gold Rush, and Dixon had six. Donovan Armstrong, in his second start of the season, had a season-high five assists. Joseph Williams blocked a season-high three shots.

Heading the homecoming court, which was introduced at halftime, were Miss Xavier, Shalani Taylor of Reno, Nev., and Mr. Xavier, Hassan Owens of St. Louis. Retired XULA biology professor, longtime faculty athletics representative and NAIA Hall of Fame member Sister Grace Mary Flickinger also was honored with a permanent banner.

The Gold Rush will play Mobile at 7 p.m. Monday at the Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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