A&M Chancellor Supports Prairie View A&M Stadium Efforts

HOUSTON, Texas - The chancellor of the Texas A&M System told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday he is 100 percent behind efforts by school officials at Prairie View A&M to build a new football stadium and athletics facility. It will be the first new stadium and facility on the Prairie View Campus in nearly 50 years. This season the Panthers won their first SWAC football championship in nearly 50 years. Head Coach Henry Frazier helped put Prairie View back on the map and Chancellor McKinney has taken note.

Chancellor McKinney used his November '09 visit to the 6,000-seat Blackshear Stadium, which opened in 1960, to talk about ideas for funding improvements. "Prairie View needs a new stadium," McKinney said. "The stadium they have is rundown and needs to be replaced. I am trying to help them raise money for the project. "It's vital and absolutely necessary to build a stadium for Prairie View that reflects the growth and the success of the school." McKinney said he and George Wright, the president of Prairie View, have been discussing ways to enhance sports programs at the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas.

"Building a new athletics facility and stadium at Prairie View is tremendously important," said McKinney. "My opinion is athletics is the front door to our universities. "It's important we get people on our campus. Education is our mission. Athletics is the front door." Prairie View officials have completed 90 percent of their athletics economics study according to Athletics Director Fred Washington. Washington said the first phase, which involves the football stadium and athletics facility, will cost roughly $30 million with groundbreaking expected in around two years. "This is probably one of the largest undertakings that our university and our athletics department has taken on in its existence," said Washington. "We haven't built a new facility since the 60's. "So this is going to be huge for us."

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Former Hampton Pirates All-American Latrell Scott Named Head Football Coach at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond has introduced Latrell Scott as its new head football coach. Scott, who has previously served as assistant coach with the Spiders, was introduced by Director of Athletics Jim Miller as the school’s 34th football coach during a press conference December 15th at the Robins Center. A highly-regarded recruiter and graduate of nearby Lee-Davis High School, Scott brings 11 years of coaching experience back to the Spiders after spending the last two seasons as the wide receivers coach at the University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia, respectively.

“Coach Scott will provide great leadership for our football program,” said Miller. “He is an energetic young coach and proven recruiter who many of our players know and respect. He is a Richmond native, former assistant head coach here, and a great fit for the University. Latrell Scott will continue the Richmond tradition of attracting student-athletes of high-character who are champions on and off the field.”

“Growing up in Richmond, and having the experience of coaching at the University of Richmond previously, the opportunity to be the head coach is incredible,” said Scott. “The students, faculty, staff, and administration of this University are second-to-none, and with their continued support, we will continue the success that we have come to expect from the Richmond Football program.”

Prior to joining the Volunteers’ staff in 2008, Scott, 34, served for three years at Richmond under former head coach Dave Clawson as the wide receivers coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator before the 2007 campaign. Richmond was 26-12, made two NCAA Playoff appearances and beat a BCS team (Duke) with Scott on staff. The Spiders shattered the offensive record books in 2007, which ended with a then-school record 11 wins and the school’s first-ever appearance in the National Semifinals.

Richmond’s leading pass-catcher was now-rising senior Kevin Grayson with a school-record 68 receptions for a freshman-record 970 yards and seven TDs. Then-senior Arman Shields began 2007 with a monster effort against Vanderbilt, catching 12 balls for 107 yards, before an injury limited him to just two more brief appearances. His skills and development under Scott, however, were enough to earn him a spot in the NFL Combine and a fourth-round NFL Draft selection by the Oakland Raiders. Of the 10 team records eclipsed in that season, Scott’s wide receivers helped the Spiders set new standards for scoring average (34.9), touchdowns (63) and total offense (5,675).

Scott inherits a Richmond team that went 11-2 in 2009, won the CAA Football Championship and reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs – the program’s third-consecutive postseason appearance and 10th in school history. The 2008 National Champions return eight starters next season, including arguably the best receiving and linebacking corps in CAA Football. Scott arrived in Richmond after spending three seasons as wide receivers coach at VMI. During his tenure in Lexington, the Keydets led the Big South Conference in passing in 2003. His first coaching assignment was at Fork Union Military Academy, where he spent two seasons before being named an assistant at Western Carolina in 2001.

A three-year starter at tight end during his playing days at Hampton University, Scott earned All-America honors following his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA playoff teams and also competed in the Gridiron All-Star Classic in Orlando, Fla. Scott graduated with a sport management degree in 2001. Scott is married to the former Brandi Bradby of New Kent, Va.

Personal
Born: July 17, 1975 in Richmond, Va. Family: Wife, Brandi

Education
High School: Lee-Davis High School, Mechanicsville, Va. College: Hampton University (sport management), 2001

Playing Experience
Hampton University (1994-97)

Coaching Experience
1999-2000: Fork Union Military Academy
2001: Western Carolina (wide receivers)
2002-04: VMI (wide receivers)
2005-06: Richmond (wide receivers/recruiting coord.) **FCS Quarterfinals
2007: Richmond (asst. head coach/WRs/recruiting coord.) **FCS Semifinals
2008: Tennessee (wide receivers)
2009: Virginia (wide receivers)

What They're Saying About Latrell Scott

"Latrell Scott is an outstanding young coach. He brings great energy to recruiting and is dynamic on the field working with players. Latrell is trustworthy and engaged very well with families, prospects and staff. Richmond has made a great choice and I wish him very well."
--Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee Head Coach (1992-2008)

"This is a great hire by the University of Richmond. Latrell will do a great job. He knows the school, he knows Virginia and he knows the league. I'm confident he'll pick up right where Mike London left off." -- Joe Taylor, Florida A&M Head Coach and Scott's former coach at Hampton University.

"I'm very excited for Latrell. He is well-known in the coaching fraternity for his communication and recruiting ability. With him being at Richmond previously, he understands the academic requirements it takes to be successful. He's a good football coach and I'm confident he'll continue the championship tradition at my alma mater." --Mike London, Virginia Head Coach

Video: Former UVA Receivers Coach Named Richmond Head Coach

UR names Scott football coach

University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller called Dave Clawson a few days ago. The subject: Latrell Scott, whom Miller was considering as the Spiders' football coach. Clawson, UR's coach during 2004-07 and now Bowling Green's coach, acknowledged the conventional wisdom that Scott, 34, was probably a couple of years away from having the background expected of a head-coaching candidate. But Clawson, for whom Scott worked at Richmond, also made a point that Miller noted.

"In two years, you're not going to be able to get him as a head coach," Clawson told Miller. "If you wait, he may not be available." Miller did not wait. UR named Scott its coach yesterday after an eight-day search that began with Mike London accepting the University of Virginia job vacated by Al Groh. Miller met with Scott, a Virginia assistant this season, over the weekend. Scott never has been an offensive or defensive coordinator, which bothered Miller less than it would have several years ago. "I think we're on the cutting edge of that, on the front side, of having more coaches who specialize in being the CEO of the program," Miller said.

Hampton University graduate Scott to coach Richmond Spiders in football

RICHMOND - Hampton University graduate Latrell Scott has received his first head-coaching job, and it's at one of the Football Championship Subdivision's top programs. Scott, 34, was introduced Tuesday as coach at the University of Richmond. He becomes the 34th head coach in program history, one of the youngest coaches in the country, and takes over at an opportune time. The Spiders won the national championship for the first time last season. This year, they spent time at No. 1 in the nation, shared the Colonial Athletic Association championship with Villanova and advanced to the playoff quarterfinals, losing to Appalachian State in the closing seconds.

Scott, who played tight end for HU and graduated in 1999, is widely respected as a dynamic recruiter. At his news conference, he said keeping the Spiders' 14 current verbal commitments is his top priority. "If you want to ask the question if I think I'm prepared, I think I've been prepared by some of the best," Scott said, mentioning coaching mentors like former Richmond coaches Dave Clawson and Mike London, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and former Virginia coach Al Groh. "I've been raised by some of the best head coaches in the country."

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Alcorn State Made the Correct Decision

Collins given three-year extension

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State has extended the contract of head football coach Earnest Collins by three years. The Braves (3-6, 3-4) sat alone in first place in the Eastern Division midway through the season after being picked to finish last. Alcorn couldn’t hold on, but a win against Jackson State gave the program three wins for the first time since 2006 when the team finished 6-5. Collins coached the Braves this season on a one-year deal, following the firing of former coach Johnny Thomas and weeks of turmoil within the program.

“We are delighted that Coach Collins will continue to lead the Alcorn State University Braves football program,” said Mrs. Brenda T. Square, interim director of athletics. “He and the entire football staff share the University’s vision for excellence and they care about the welfare of our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.” In 2008, Collins served as the defensive coordinator/associate head coach for the Braves. Prior to joining the Braves’ staff, Collins spent a year coaching secondary for the University of Central Florida, where the Knights ranked third in the C-USA defensive statistics.

Alcorn made the correct decision

I’m sure most Alcorn State fans remember what was going on with the football program about this time last year. To put it mildly, it was chaos. Seven assistant coaches were fired without the knowledge of the head coach. Then, after the head coach threatened to sue the school, the assistants were reinstated, and then the head coach, Ernest Jones, was fired himself. Through all of the turmoil, one man stood out and was left with picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild what had been torn down. That man was Earnest Collins. Collins, was the defensive coordinator under Jones and was named interim head coach after Jones was fired.

Collins might have only been just that, an interim, if some senior football players hadn’t met with Alcorn State President George Ross and convinced him to make Collins the head coach on a permanent basis. So Collins was given the job full-time, but only received a one-year contract, which put him in a tough situation from the outset. Most coaches don’t operate on one-year contracts, and schools usually extend a coach’s contract before it comes down to the last year because they don’t want the coach to be seen as a lame duck.

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

FAMU Rattlers Haul in More Division I-A Transfers

Coach Joe Taylor is making major strides in recruiting Florida blue chip talent, including opening the doors for top D-IA transfers like Steven Robinson, Jarien Moreland and James Poe.

Former Lincoln lineman looks to rejuvenate career at FAMU »

Offensive guard Steven Robinson is coming home to rekindle the passion that just a year ago put him on the radar of several major college football programs. Robinson, a two-time All-Big Bend selection out of Lincoln High School, has enrolled at FAMU where he plans to play his final three years of football. Robinson said he is currently going through the enrollment process after signing to become a Rattler. He played in eight games this past season at the University of Central Florida, but the fire that made him want to play the game was being diminished as he tried to fit into the program, Robinson said.

“I just didn’t feel like I was going to reach my fullest potential,” he said. “I was playing football but I wasn’t enjoying it. I was starting to lose that passion so I said I can’t sit here and let my years go by.” Robinson is expected to fill a void on the Rattlers’ offensive line where they’ve lost three seniors. His UCF teammates James Poe, a 6-foot-4, 237 pound tight end-fullback and, 6-5, 313 pound center Jarien Moreland also have transferred to play at FAMU.

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Players Bio:
Steven "Moose" Robinson

Class: RS Freshman, Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla., High School: Lincoln, Height/Weight: 6-3/306, Position: Offensive Line.

TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2008): Earned a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in football for head coach Kyle Rice at Lincoln High School ... Named first-team Class 4A All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association following his senior season ... Earned All-Big Bend first-team honors by the Tallahassee Democrat as a junior and senior ... Four-year starter on the offensive line ... Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior ... Also lettered in wrestling, track and field and played the tuba in the school band ... Ranked as the No. 25 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com ... Ranked as the No. 24 offensive guard prospect in the country and the No. 69 overall prospect in the state of Florida by Scout.com ... Ranked No. 90 on the top 100 high school football prospects 2007 list by the Orlando Sentinel ... Also recruited by Clemson, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and USF.
Majoring in Criminal Justice.

Jarien Moreland

Class:RS Freshman, Hometown: Belle Glade, Fla., High School: Glades Central,
Height/Weight: 6-4/321, Position: Offensive Line.

TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2008): Earned a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters for head coach Willie Snead at Glades Central High School ... Helped lead his team to the 2006 Class 3A state championship as a junior and Class 3A Region 4 titles as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Ranked No. 36 nationally among offensive guards by Rivals.com and the 90th best prospect in the state of Florida ... Ranked No. 95 nationally among offensive tackles by Scout.com ... Also received recruiting interest from Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Pitt and USF.

James Poe

Class:RS Sophomore, Hometown: Orlando, Fla., High School: Freedom, Last College:
Georgia Military College, Height/Weight: 6-4/232, Position: Running Back.

PRIOR TO UCF: Attended Georgia Military College before coming to UCF ... Played for Freedom High School in Orlando ... Selected as the team MVP his final two years after being ranked as the fifth-best running back in the state with 1,500 rushing yards as a senior, and 700 yards as a junior ... Also recruited by West Virginia, Louisville, Florida, East Carolina and Iowa. Major is undecided.

Bethune-Cookman Excited About New Football Coach

B-CU excited about new football coach

DAYTONA BEACH -- There was no doubt in Lynn Thompson's mind that Bethune-Cookman's search committee made the right choice in selecting Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins as the Wildcats' next head football coach. He discovered over the weekend that many B-CU fans agree with him. "I was at the mall (Sunday night) and people stopped me. They were very excited about our choice," said Thompson, the Wildcats' athletics director. The school, who has been without a coach since Alvin Wyatt was fired Nov. 21, will introduce Jenkins today.

"He's a wonderful young man with a bright future," Thompson said. "His name came up early in the process, and the more we looked we saw something about him that everybody on the committee felt was attractive. This guy stood out as a good fit for our university and its mission. We feel he'll do a great job." Jenkins, 38, was on the Rutgers sideline Saturday night during its 45-24 victory over UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field. He was with the Scarlet Knights for one season, coaching wide receivers. He came over to Rutgers from Louisiana-Lafayette, where he spent seven years as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also was an assistant coach in NFL Europe and at Bowling Green, Eastern Illinois and Western Kentucky universities.

Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins to take Bethune-Cookman head coaching job...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Another Rutgers assistant football coach is on the move, with wide receivers coach Brian Jenkins set to become the head coach at Bethune-Cookman immediately following the Knights' St. Petersburg Bowl game against Central Florida on Saturday, according to someone familiar with the move. Jenkins, 38, who is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., arrived at Rutgers this year from Louisiana-Lafayette. The Bethune-Cookman job opened when the school fired Alvin Wyatts following a 5-6 season and a 90-54 record after 13 years.

Brian Jenkins is new Bethune-Cookman coach‎

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Former Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins is the new coach at Bethune-Cookman, replacing Alvin Wyatt. Athletic director Lynn Thompson introduced Jenkins during a press conference Monday. Wyatt was fired on Nov. 23, two days after the Wildcats' 42-6 season-ending loss to archrival Florida A&M. Despite finishing 5-6 for the third time in four years, Wyatt departed as the winningest coach in Bethune-Cookman history, going 90-54 in 13 seasons. Jenkins coached wide receivers at Rutgers. He finished his duties with the Scarlet Knights during the St. Petersburg Bowl. "In coach Jenkins, we follow a new initiative with a new vision for our football program," said Thompson, adding that Jenkins was the unanimous choice among a search committee considering 87 applicants. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Tennessee State Selects New Football Coach

Coach Rod Reed's $160,000 salary is among the highest for FCS coaches in the state. Tennessee Tech Coach Watson Brown's salary for the 2008-09 fiscal year was $149,350, UT Martin Coach Jason Simpson's was $105,000 and Austin Peay Coach Rick Christophel's was $95,917, according to figures released by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Rod Reed officially named head football coach at Tennessee State ...

Nashville, Tenn. - Tennessee State University president, Dr. Melvin N. Johnson, and athletics director Teresa Phillips, officially named Rod Reed head football coach. The announcement was made during a press conference (12/18) in the lobby of Kean Hall in front of family, friends, faculty, staff, alumni and former players. Reed, who served as associate head football coach in 2009, replaces James Webster who resigned on November 19, 2009. He will be the twenty-first head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers program, dating back to 1912.

Reed, 43, was a four-year letter winner at TSU (1984-88) and helped lead the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1986. Reed, who played linebacker, capped off his career as a Sheridan All-American football player his senior season. Rod is the son of the late Robert Reed, who was the first All-American for the TSU legendary football head coach "Big John" Merritt.

This will be Reed's first assignment as head coach in which he brings 17 years of experience in the coaching ranks. In addition to his time at Tennessee State, he has held positions at East Texas Baptist College, Prairie View A&M, Bethune-Cookman University (formerly Bethune-Cookman College) and Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.

As a recruiter, Reed is responsible for bringing several notable players into the TSU program. Reed is noted for recruiting Javarris Williams (2009 seventh round draft pick, Kansas City Chiefs), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2008 first round pick, Arizona Cardinals), Shaun Richardson, Lamar Divens (Baltimore Ravens) and Cornelius Lewis.

Rod Reed replaces James Webster as football coach at Tennessee St.

Tennessee State University has named Rod Reed as its new football coach. Reed began as TSU's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2003, and served as top assistant to coach James Webster during the 2009 season. Webster resigned in November. Reed, 43, recruited Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a first round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, to play for the Tigers.

TSU hopes new coach can revive tradition

The hiring of Rod Reed as Tennessee State's football coach Friday is one of several steps the administration hopes to take that will elevate the program to the prominence it once enjoyed. Reed, 43, a former TSU linebacker, has been on the staff since 2003 and served as defensive coordinator and associate head coach the past two seasons. He has been interim head coach since James Webster resigned after five seasons in November. "We've always had an interest in athletics," TSU president Melvin Johnson said. "You can't live on John A. Merritt Boulevard and work on John A. Merritt Boulevard without having an emphasis on athletics. But the hiring of Rod Reed, along with the other commitments we're making, is our attempt to rejuvenate the program."

TSU was a powerhouse under Merritt from 1963-83, but the Tigers haven't won a playoff game since 1986. Reed's salary will be $160,000, the same as Webster's, TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. He has not signed a contract, but Phillips said he would be given a five-year deal. Reed, who is TSU's all-time leading tackler (1985-1988), and Morehouse Coach Rich Freeman, another former TSU linebacker (1992-1995), were the only candidates who interviewed.

Watch Press Conference: Rod Reed introduced as TSU's head football coach
(Flash - Video)

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

HBCU Senior Bowl: East 26, West 21

Florida A&M's Vann is the man in HBCU Bowl

Children from a youth football team surrounded Florida A&M's Leroy Vann seeking an autograph from the star of the inaugural HBCU Bowl all-star game. Like he did in Saturday's game at Cramton Bowl, Vann didn't disappoint. Vann returned a punt 81 yards for a first-quarter touchdown to highlight the East's 26-21 win over the West and patiently worked through the autograph-seeking mass afterward. "It's like this when I'm home in Tallahassee," Vann said. "If I go anywhere, it's the same way."

Vann, who returned five punts for touchdowns this season and is the NCAA record holder for career return TDs, was the most valuable player Saturday due to his one spectacular play. Because of his resume, the East expected Vann to do it. He had eight career punt returns and three kickoff returns for touchdowns. "He's been making returns like that for the last couple years," East coach Joe Taylor of FAMU, who had nine of his players on the East team. "We had a little orange and green flavor out there. "It was great to coach all of them for one last time."



Photo Gallery: East wins HBCU Bowl

East beats West in HBCU Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Florida A&M's Leroy Vann got the first HBCU Bowl all-star game off to a fast start Saturday. Vann returned a punt 81 yards for a first-quarter touchdown to highlight the East's 26-21 win over the West. "This was a great opportunity for us to show what we can do and I hope a great experience for the fans, too," Vann said. "We showed that black colleges have talent, too."

Vann returned five punts for touchdowns this season and holds the NCAA record for career return TDs. He returned eight punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns in his career. "That's just who he is," East coach Joe Taylor of Florida A&M said. "He's been making returns like that for the last couple years." East quarterback Dennis Brown of Norfolk State threw for 117 yards and a touchdown. Lamarcus Coker of Hampton caught a 33-yard TD pass late in the second quarter to give the East a 19-14 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Devan James of Morgan State scored on a 4-yard run to give the East a 26-14 lead. Coker finished with a game-high 82 yards receiving on three catches.

Doug Williams, director of professional scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, warns HBCU Bowl players of harsh reality that everyone will not make the NFL -- "Somebody's got to coach, somebody teach, somebody's got to be the governor, somebody's got to be a lawyer, and somebody's got to pick up the trash,"Williams said. "They're all paying and in this economy, a job is a job."

Doug Williams warns players of harsh reality

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hours before the players who competed in the Russell Athletics Senior Bowl had their first practice for Saturday's game, Doug Williams laid down the harsh truth. Please, understand that his audience was made up mostly of the 80-plus players who came here hoping to impress professional scouts. "Everybody in this room is not going to play in the National Football League," said Williams, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. "That's a fact." In other words, all the players in this inaugural all-star game had was an opportunity to make their case. At least a handful of them have proven they deserve an invitation to the NFL combine in February. Williams delivered those words of warning as a guest speaker at a banquet to recognize the players who made up the East and West teams. He didn't have notes. He didn't need any.

FAMU's LeRoy Vann is MVP of HBCU all-star game

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Florida A&M's LeRoy Vann waited for the high punt to land in his arms, the crowd at Cramton Bowl was almost hushed Saturday afternoon. He ran it back 10 yards and the cheers went up. He crossed the 50-yard line and suddenly the inaugural Russell Athletics Senior Bowl became Vann's personal show with an 81-yard return for a touchdown that helped the East team give FAMU coach Joe Taylor a 26-21 victory over the West. But while Vann was spectacular, the crowd didn't get an opportunity to see the Rattlers' heralded quarterback Curtis Pulley on the field. He aggravated a groin injury that slowed him during the final weeks of the regular season and Taylor elected to sit him out.

FAMU's Taylor has a reunion with Hampton players

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Saturday wasn't just a historic occasion for Joe Taylor as one of the coaches in the first Russell Athletics Senior Bowl. It was an emotional reunion for him and three of the four players from Hampton University who played for the East team. Taylor came to FAMU from Hampton just before offensive linemen Ryan Cave and Nocolas Royal and running back Lamarcus Coker entered their junior year. Brandon Roundtree, the fourth Hampton player on the East squad, transferred from West Los Angeles Community College after Taylor left to become the Rattlers' head coach. The week they spent with Taylor as their coach was a bit of deja vu, Cave said. "It's the same thing all over again," he said. "It's just like he never left. It's really never about just football with Coach Taylor. He always taught us about life; to be successful doing something that makes you happy."

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.