Norfolk State's Bell takes deal, avoids jail time

Former football player will receive probation after pulling kitchen knife

Former Penn State football player Christopher Bell accepted a plea deal offered by the commonwealth Tuesday, avoiding jail time for an April incident during which police say he threatened a teammate with a knife.

Bell pleaded guilty to one count of terroristic threats -- a first-degree misdemeanor and his most serious charge -- while his charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment were dismissed, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said yesterday.

Bell will receive two years probation at the request of the commonwealth, but he could face added community service or fines imposed by Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford at his Aug. 29 sentencing, Madeira said.

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TSU has offense for title run

Healthy Heffner holds hopes for Tigers

Tennessee State Coach James Webster drew laughter from the crowd and a bit of fear from opposing coaches while fielding questions at the Ohio Valley Conference Football Media Day at LP Field on Tuesday. Webster made a bold prediction when the subject turned toward the health of senior quarterback Antonio Heffner, who suffered a broken ankle against Eastern Kentucky in the seventh game of the season last year.

"A healthy Antonio?" Webster pondered. "Well, that's an OVC championship." Webster might not be too far off about the potential of his talented dual threat quarterback. Prior to his injury, Heffner led the conference in passing (212.3 yards per game) and total offense (260.4 yards per game). In his seven games in 2007, Heffner managed to complete 96 of 171 passes for 1,486 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 337 yards and three touchdowns on just 94 carries.

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Nine Southern University players on All-SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A year ago at this time, Bryant Lee was preparing for a preseason camp battle with Warren Matthews to see who would be Southern’s starting quarterback. Now, Lee is the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. Winning the starting job wasn’t a stretch, because Lee finished the 2006 season as the starter. Then a redshirt freshman, he was Southern’s MVP of the Bayou Classic

After holding off Matthews in the preseason, Lee went on to become a second-team All-SWAC pick last season. Despite ankle and knee injuries and ultimately a broken thumb, he threw for 2,326 yards and 23 touchdowns, with just four interceptions and a 65.7 completion percentage. He also ran for 274 yards and four more TDs.

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Jackson State, Grambling are top picks again in SWAC

BIRMINGHAM — If the preseason poll is correct, fans of the Southwestern Athletic Conference can expect a repeat of last year's championship game featuring Jackson State and Grambling.

But, while coaches admit it's a great honor to be chosen as the favorites, they are not putting much stock in it. "The game is decided on the field, always has been and always will be," said Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow. "Preseason polls and honors are great, but you have to work hard between the lines week in and week out."

Jackson State was selected by league coaches, sports information directors and selected media members to claim the Eastern Division title, receiving 105 points and an overwhelming 17 first-place points. Jackson State was followed by Alabama A&M with 92 points and five first-place votes, Mississippi Valley State (51), Alabama State (49) and Alcorn State (33).

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Former FAMU coach hired to DSU football staff

Dover, DE - Delaware State University Head Football Coach Al Lavan has announced the appointment of Renato Diaz as running backs coach for the Hornets.

Diaz, who has more than 12 years of college coaching experience, most recently served as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Florida A&M the past three years, under former head coach Rubin Carter.

“Coach Diaz brings a wealth of coaching and administrative experience, in addition to familiarity with the conference, to our staff,” Lavan said. “He has enjoyed success at every stop in his career, and we are fortunate to have someone of his caliber join our team.”

During the 2007 season, Diaz was credited with the success of Florida A&M freshman tailback Philip Sylvester, who was named MEAC Rookie-of-the-Year after rushing for nearly 900 yards and leading the league in all-purpose yards (164.3 ypg).

“Coach Lavan is doing a tremendous job at Delaware State, and I’m honored to join his staff,” Diaz said. “I’m extremely impressed with the university, and its commitment to its teams. I’m looking forward to working with the staff to continue the success the Hornets have enjoyed the last few years.”

Diaz began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Fla. (1996-1998), where he was an assistant to the offensive coordinator.

Photo: Coach Diaz and the entire Rattlers football staff of head coach Rubin Carter was fired by incoming A.D. William "Bill" Hayes in January 2008.

In 1998, Diaz was promoted to tight ends coach for USF, and also served as coordinator for recruiting and special teams. That season, the Bulls led the nation in total punt return yards and was seventh in net punting, limiting opponents to 2.1 yards per return. During the 1999 season, South Florida was eighth in the nation in net punting and 12th in kickoff returns.

Diaz also served as running backs coach at Columbia University in New York during the 2000 season. At Columbia, Diaz coached Johnathan Reese, the school's first 1,000 yard rusher, who was an All-Ivy League First Team selection after leading the conference with 1,330 yards rushing.

From 2001 to ’03, Diaz was running backs coach at Florida International University. FIU’s Rashod Smith was a Division I-AA All-Independent First Team selection at running back in 2001.

In the summer of 2003, Diaz did a brief stint with the NFL’s New York Jets during training camp, working with the offensive staff in all phases of preparation for the season.

Diaz was running backs coach and special teams consultant at Widener University in Chester, Pa. in 2004. That season, the Division III Pioneers were 11th in the nation in kickoff returns (23.3 ypr).

Diaz earned a bachelors in geology from South Florida in 1983. He is also a 2005 graduate of the NCAA Advanced Coaches Academy.

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

McBride under microscope at Eagles camp

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — One of just four receivers in camp so far, Shaheer McBride knows every play in which he's involved gets noticed – especially the ones he'd like to forget. The former Delaware State receiver made a nice catch in traffic across the middle in 7-on-7 drills in today's morning session of training camp, but had the ball jarred from his grip after he came crashing to the ground.

"You gotta squeeze it," barked coach Andy Reid as McBride ran back to the huddle. Reid later praised McBride during his press conference, but the dropped pass still lingered for the Chester, Pa., native. "You can't just be able to process it and be done with it.," McBride admitted. "Someone tells you that they'd be lying to you."

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All-American Vasquez hired as FAMU's special-teams coach

What was just an idea for former FAMU kicker Juan Vasquez is now a reality after several years of volunteering as a special-teams coach. "After a while of being successful, I started thinking, 'Wow, I could really do this for a living,'" Vasquez said Tuesday. "What a better way to do something that you like to do as a livelihood."

He got his opportunity to do nothing but coach for a living when head coach Joe Taylor hired him as kicking coach. An official announcement of his hire was delayed until the process was recently completed. "This is a dream come true," he said. "I didn't know this would really happen, and I want to thank coach Taylor for giving me the opportunity. I've put in a lot of hard work, but you never know when the opportunity is going to come."

Coach Vasquez has been successful in mentoring former Rattlers All-American kicker, Wesley Taylor, #20.

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