Ramon Flanigan Introduced As The Lincoln University Head Football Coach



Ramon Flanigan Was Introduced As The Lincoln University Head Football Coach

(Click photo to enlarge)

 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA – The Lincoln University officially introduced Ramon Flanigan, the former Division I offensive coordinator for Mississippi Valley State, as the new Lincoln Lions head football coach at a Monday press conference at the Student Union Building Theater.

Flanigan, who replaces Coach Olabaniji (O.J.) Abanishe after five seasons, is the second Lion head coach in its NCAA Division II era.

“The Lincoln University Lions have selected the perfect candidate in Coach Ramon Flanigan, and we are honored to have him as the leader of The Lincoln Lions Football Program,” said Dr. Robert R. Jennings, president of the University. “Coach Flanigan is both an experienced coach and former, record-setting Southern Methodist University quarterback and All-American.  I can think of no better combination in a coach to make our program consistent with our University's history, and that is, first.”

Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee echoed those sentiments.

“We welcome Coach Flanigan to The Lincoln University family,” Ford-Kee said. “I believe the search committee did an excellent job in identifying candidates they believed possessed the knowledge and work experience best suited for our program. He has experienced winning as a student, athlete and coach. We believe he will transfer his experiences to our program and move the program forward.”

Flanigan comes to Lincoln from a highly-decorated coaching career in NCAA Division I with Mississippi Valley State and the University of North Texas as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Prior to coming to Lincoln, Flanigan, who also assisted with academic and other administrative duties, worked three years for the Mississippi Valley State football program under head coach Karl Morgan.

“I am honored to be the head football coach at The Lincoln University,” Flanigan said. “The fact that the Administration thought enough of me as a person and as a coach to entrust their football program to me is very humbling.”

Meet Coach Ramon Flanigan/Lincoln Football Fact Sheet

 Before his stint at Mississippi Valley State, Flanigan spent the 2008 season as the wide receivers coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy and was the quarterbacks coach at Galveston Ball High School in 2009.

Before coaching at the high school level, Flanigan spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at the University of North Texas – five as the program's offensive coordinator. In his first season of directing the offense, Flanigan helped the Mean Green amass 3,699 total yards, which was at that time the highest total since 1994. In his second year, he improved the offense to 4,257 total yards of offense and a scoring average of 27.5 points per game, which was also the best for North Texas since 1994. During the 2004 campaign, Flanigan's offense posted more than 4,000 total yards of offense for the second time in school history. While serving as offensive coordinator under then head coach Darrell Dickey, North Texas won four consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships and made four postseason bowl appearances.

Dickey, who is now the offensive coordinator at the University of Memphis, praised Flanigan for his hard work and success over the years.

“Lincoln University is getting an outstanding football coach in Ramon Flanigan,” Dickey said. “He possesses all the qualities and is a man of great character and integrity. Ramon leads by example and represents himself in a first-class manner.”

In six years as the quarterbacks coach at North Texas, Flanigan was responsible for the development of several young quarterbacks and was faced with a similar challenge in 2005. Scott Hall became a starter as a true freshman in 2001 and under Flanigan's direction, improved to lead the Mean Green to its first bowl game in 42 years the following season.

Flanigan was just one of 10 coaches selected to participate in the NCAA's inaugural Expert Coaching Program in June 2004. The program was created for ethnic minority football coaches with at least six years experience to help in the development of minority coaches. He was chosen again in 2005. He also participated in the NFL Minority Internship Program, spending time with the Green Bay Packers.

“He has a rich background,” Floyd Keith, the former Executive Director for the Black Coaches Association, said. “He has coached in Division I and has FCS experience. He is a bright individual and will do an outstanding job at Lincoln.”

Flanigan, a 1997 graduate of Southern Methodist University, led the Mustangs to a 6-5 record, the school's first winning season since 1986. He concluded his SMU career as the school's career leader in total offense with 7,437 yards and as the school's fourth all-time leading passer with 5,640 yards. He is the only player in SMU history to pass for 5,500 or more yards and rush for at least 1,500 yards. He had 30 career passing touchdowns and 27 career-rushing touchdowns for a school record 57 touchdowns produced.

He made his collegiate debut as a true freshman in 1992, but received a red-shirt after partially tearing a thumb ligament against North Texas and missed the final nine games of the season. In 1994, Flanigan was one of 11 players in the country selected to the College Football Association All-American Team. He was a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference pick that season after finishing 13th in the nation in total offense (237.1 yards per game). When he has finished his playing career, he proceeded to complete his academic tenure at SMU with a bachelor's degree in Economics with Financial Applications.

Flanigan graduated from Rider High School in Wichita Falls in 1992 after leading Rider to consecutive city championships.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 'THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY' IS NOW THE OFFICIAL NAME FOR THE INSTITIUTION FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS 'LINCOLN UNIVERSITY' OR 'LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF PA' AND SHOULD BE ADHERED TO IN ALL REFERENCES.

By Brian Howard, Sports Information & Media Specialist

THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

LULIONS.COM

FAMU Rattlers to the NFL: Hepburn Drafted While Teammates Agree To Terms



Courtesy: FAMU Athletics



TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  One of the most anticipated athletic sports drafts annually is the National Football League’s collegiate draft.  In recent years, it has taken on the pomp and circumstance of two days of broadcasting in prime time, from one of the most historic venues in all of entertainment, Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  The dream of virtually every football player at every amateur level is to have your name called on that stage, indicating your ascension to the top of the sport.

The reality of it is less than one percent of all football players ever get to reach that pinnacle in their careers.  This year was especially difficult for players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), as just two were selected over the seven rounds.   In the third round, Terron Armstead of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff was selected as the 13^th pick in that round.  Armstead was a standout lineman who stands a menacing 6’5” and weighs 306 pounds.  He was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection and became the first SWAC payer since 2011 to be drafted.

The other player selected was FAMU’s Brandon Hepburn, who turned heads in just two years of playing full-time.  With not much football-playing experience, he walked on to the Rattler squad.  He credits coach George Small with instilling positivity in him on the football field, and position coach Earl Homes with helping him to develop into a standout football player.

Hepburn’s ascent to this point has been remarkable.  He is a model student-athlete, acquiring his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2012, and began the MBA program at the FAMU School of Business and Industry while playing his stellar senior season.  A testament to his well-rounded nature is his selection to the Allstate Good Works team.  This unit is comprised of all the football players in Division I, II and III.  Selected for his play on the field, performance in the classroom and dedication to community service, Hepburn is the first HBCU player to earn that award.

In the seventh round of this year’s draft, general manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz made the choice to grab Hepburn.  His selection was a major step in his realization that he could play on the next level.  The pressure of the NFL Draft had gotten to Hepburn as it was seemingly slipping away.  But then the call came, and since then it has been chaotic to say the least.

Shortly after the draft concluded, Padric Scott got a call from the Arizona Cardinals and Travis Harvey got a call from the Tennessee Titans.  Scott, who started his collegiate career at Stanford University, returned to Tallahassee, because “it felt like the right place to be,” Scott said.  Harvey was hampered by injuries and eligibility issues that prevented NFL teams from having bigger highlight reels to evaluate his talent.  Harvey did have a tape with a spectacular 75-yard catch and run for touchdown over Oklahoma this season.  One of the best things an HBCU player can do to get noticed, is to play well against FBS teams.




We had the opportunity to speak with the three players headed for the NFL rookie camps and asked them all the same questions.

BRANDON HEPBURN: Drafted 7th Round, Detroit Lions

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home in New York with my family sitting on the couch watching the draft.  Toward the middle of the seventh round, I got antsy.  I was wondering if it was better to get drafted or decide where I wanted to go in free agency.  God has a way of working things out.  I feel honored and blessed at the same time.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m feeling ready to work. Along with my position, there is not a lot of job security.  I have to put my best foot forward and be an asset to the organization in order to make the team.  Making the team starts with an opportunity, that part is done.  Now it’s up to me to prove that I can play on this level and make the squad.

Q: What’s next for you?

I have rookie minicamp in a week.  Currently, I am waiting on my itinerary.  I have to visit Detroit and get a footing as I begin camp there. It’s going to be a process.  Training camp is in July and then preseason leads into regular season.  It doesn’t stop, once the ball gets rolling, there no time to catch your breath, you have to be ready to roll with the cycle.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

Not yet.  I think it might when I hit the field and hit somebody, but right now it hasn’t.

Q:  What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

I would like to definitely thank them for the entire process.  FAMU made a man out of me.  I would like to thank everybody from the sports information department who helped to promote me, to Mrs. (Faydre) Hawkins-Brown and Ms (Sheila) Martin.  My position coach and defensive coordinator Coach (Earl) Holmes.  I also want to thank Coach (Jimmie) Tyson for having a sound effect on my life. I know he isn’t there anymore, but we connected.   Coach Small guided me, like a godfather.  Of course I want to thank Coach (Joe) Taylor for trusting me as a captain and being the head coach.  I definitely want to thank my professors and the entire chemistry department.  All my co-neighbors who spent late nights in study groups to get it done.  I can’t forget the students from all those group projects in S.B.I. I’m glad I got to finish my undergraduate degree and get started on my master’s degree.  I’m looking forward to getting down to it on the field an make all FAMUans proud.

PADRIC SCOTT:  Undrafted, Arizona Cardinals

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was sitting in my parents’ (Dr. Ed & Pamela Scott) living room with the family.  When I got the call we all started shouting.  Dad was feeling great, to see the excitement in their faces made me feel good.  I don’t know if I’ll ever outgrow the satisfaction of making my parents proud.  To see emotion made feel really proud.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

Ahhh, Like I’m dreaming.  It really feels like I’m dreaming. God is so good.  My dad said “The Cardinals run a 4-3,” and I said God yes. He put me in this position and it really shows that hard work pays off.  It’s still crazy.  We went out last night and people were congratulating me and I still didn’t feel like they were talking to me.  To be able to represent FAMU and set a path for someone to follow is indescribable.

Q: What’s next for you?

I’m going to spend time with the people I love here.  I fly out on May 9, to report and do my do physical.  From there it’s rookie camp. The Arizona coaches told me to pack a big bag for about a month and a half.  After rookie camp, I will be active in all organized team activities (OTAs) and that’s my opportunity to kill it.  I’ll leave Tallahassee, a town that I’ve been at for so long, and go to Phoenix and wreck shop.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

It’s so surreal. Waking up to tell myself, but I can’t quite come to the realization.  My grandmother today made me have a reality. She usually asks me if I need some money.  I told her no, I have a job now.  I officially have a job, and it’s in the NFL. I will give it all I have to represent FAMU and all HBCUs.  It’s such a special feeling…a special moment.  When I get on that plane to Arizona, I’m sure it will finally sink in.

Q: What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

First and foremost thank you.  It’s been a blessing to be at FAMU.  Going to the west coast for college and coming back here where I feel wanted was just great.  Coach (George) Small my position coach was like a guiding light.  Pretty much all these faces in Tallahassee, I’ve known my whole life.  I feel they were watching me and I couldn’t disappoint them.  People want to talk bad about my school, when there is so much good going on.  The media often overlooks the good.  I want to make the 53 man roster so bad.  And when they introduce me, I can say with pride that I am from THE Florida A&M University and all our people can celebrate and be proud of all the good things that come from our university.  It is great to be a  part of three young men having the opportunity that less than one percent of football players have.

TRAVIS HARVEY: Undrafted, Tennessee Titans

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home at my apartment in Tallahassee.  I was by myself at the time I got the call.  I wasn’t doing anything spectacular, but I was very pleased to get the call.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m excited that everything I went through paid off.  It was rough getting to this point.  I had more downs than ups to get here, but it was all worth it now.

Q: What’s next for you?

I go to rookie minicamp on May 9^th.  I’m going to get ready for that and make the best impression possible and make the team.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

I don’t think it has yet.  I think it will kick when I’m finally about to travel to Tennessee.  It will be interesting that I already played in their stadium this year when we played Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. I kinda got a feel of  what it’s like to play in that stadium already and I’ll try to use that to my advantage anytime possible.

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION & FAMU ATHLETICS Release 4/28/2013.

ECSU Athletic Awards: Eure unexpected winner

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  --  Elizabeth City State is well aware that its bowling team is just as competitive as any other sport on campus.

The awareness has shown in the school’s annual awards banquet, where ECSU named its second-straight bowler, Paneisha Eure, as its female athlete of the year.

In a ceremony that had the usual standout suspects of the season receive plenty of hardware — All-American Brad Davis (football) and CIAA Player of the Year Angelo Sharpless (basketball) shared the men’s top athlete honor — it was Eure that best delighted the crowd at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center on Saturday night.

“When Chancellor (Willie) Gilchrist was ...

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Fort Valley State Blue and Gold Game

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  The wildcats are set to return to the SIAC championship this season.  They held the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, so fans could get their first glimpse of the 2013-14 squad.

There was a solid turn out for the spring game.  Defense appeared to dominate the day, stopping the offense just short of a first down on many plays.  They even scored a touchdown from a recovered fumble on a quarterback sack.

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V.I.'s Barry gets full scholarship, chance to shine at Jackson State

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands  --  As a high school senior, Tamisha Barry watched as her teammates on St. Croix Educational Complex's volleyball team received athletic scholarships to universities in the United States.

It took her a little while, but Barry finally got that scholarship of her own, having just earned a full ride to play at Jackson State University, a Division I college in Jackson, Miss.

For at least a little while, it looked liked the day might never come.

"She kind of got left behind and couldn't get a scholarship," recalled Complex coach Ophelia Jackson, who has been coaching Barry since she was in seventh grade. "So I said you have to stay with me and work hard."

For the next several months Barry - who graduated from Educational Complex in 2012 - did just that, training with her longtime coach and refining her game with St. Croix's Youth Volleyball Club team.

It wasn't until January 2013, after resubmitting her college applications and game tapes, that Barry had an opportunity play collegiate volleyball, thanks to Jackson State University Lady Tigers head coach Rose Washington, who also grew up on St. Croix.

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A Great Day for Alcorn Men's Basketball

LORMAN, Mississippi --  The Alcorn State Men's basketball program announces its' 2013 signing class. Head Coach Luther Riley is ecstatic about his signees and has quoted that his new crop is going to make an immediate impact for the 2013-14 season.

Riley introduces seven new faces to the Alcorn family. Two of the recruits who stand out are Dandy Dozen's Rakeem Lehaman and Marquis Vance. Mr. Basketball from 2009, Shaunessey Smith will also make his way down to the “Reservation” to join the Braves this season.

Rakeem Lehaman/6'4-170/Greenwood, MS/Amanda Elzy High
Lehaman is a 6-4, 170 a two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen and All-State First Team select. He led Amanda Elzy to back-to-back 4A State Championships in 2012 and 2013.

Marquis Vance/6'7-220/Tchula, MS/SV Marshall
Vance is a 6-7, 220 forward two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen and All-State select. In 2012, Vance help guide SV Marshall to a 2A State Championship

Isaiah Hill/6'11-270/Indianpolis, IN/Winfrey Academy
Hill is a 6-11, 270 pound center who is very versatile. Hill was ranked No. 91 by ESPN among all centers in the country.

Decarlos Holmes/6'9-230/Millington, TN/Millington Central
Holmes is a 6-9, 230 forward who was selected as one of the top forwards in Memphis by the Commercial's Appeal.

Trey Brown/6'8-215/Brandon, MS/East Mississippi
Brown, a Brandon, MS native who led his team to back-to-back State Championship appearances, and signed with Tennessee Chattanooga out of high school. He is unique and has a great shooting touch at 6-8.

Shaunessey Smith/6'6-220/Macon, MS/Mississippi State
One of the best players to ever come through the State of Mississippi, highly-touted Smith had a stellar career at Noxubee County and was a two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen select and was Mr. Basketball (Runner-Up).

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Team Defeats Black 24-14 to End ASU Spring Practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama .— Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Cyrus each scored a rushing touchdown and Myles Everett caught a scoring pass to lead the Gold Team to a 24-14 win over the Black Team bringing Alabama State's spring practice to a close.

“This was really a great day,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. “We had great weather and we appreciate the fans coming out and they were great. The spring game is an opportunity for these guys to go out and compete and have a good time. Of course we had 14 practices prior to this game to evaluate them on so today we kept them healthy and there were some guys that made some big plays.”

Playing before an estimated crowd of over 5,000, Crowell had 45 yards on nine carries, but none more exciting than his 35 yard run on the first play of the scrimmage, but an interception by Darius Knox of the Black Team halted the scoring threat.

Neither team scored in the first quarter, but the Gold Team added a 35 yard field goal from Bobby Wenzig with 10:20 left in the second quarter and a Malcolm Cyrus three yard scoring run giving the Gold team 10 first half points.

Wrapped around the two Gold Team scores was the Black's lone score of the first half, a four yard touchdown pass from Arsenio Favor to Zach Meadows. The two teams took a short halftime break with the Gold Team leading 10-7.

In the second half Crowell started the scoring on a two yard plunge with 8:45 left in the third quarter for a 17-7 lead. The Black Team came right back down the field to cut the lead to 17-14 on a five yard scoring run from Jahaad Coleman.

The Gold Team ended the scoring when Myles Everett took a short pass from Arsenio Favor, broke a tackle and scampered 29 yards for the final score with 3:56 left in the game.

Favor and Duhart played quarterback for both teams. Favors finished five-for-nine passing for the Gold team, throwing for 130 yards and the score. For the Black team Favors completed four-of-five for 12 yards and another score.

Duhart hit four of his eight passing attempts for the Gold Team for 48 yards and an interception. He completed his only attempt for the Black Squad for four yards.

Sam Gibson had a solid outing with all of his playing time coming for the Black Team. He completed nine of his 11 attempts for 99 yards and an interception.

“I wanted to keep it pretty equal for those guys and give them (Duhart and Favor) an opportunity to play for both squads,” Barlow said. “I though both of them did a good job of running the team and moving the ball down the field. I thought Sam (Gibson) did a good job. He had the Black team playing really fast their at one time and led them down the field. It will be some good film to grade these guys on and all three guys have really done some good things this spring and we are encouraged by that.”

Defensively for the Gold team, Chris Terry had five tackles, including one tackle for lost yardage (-3 yards) and a game-high three sacks (-15 yards).

Melvin Davis added an interception and Deandre Rashada had a fumble recovery and a pass broken up for the Gold's defense.

“We had some guys running around and doing some good things on defense like Maurice Tate,” Barlow said. “Overall we were pleased with what they did today.”

The rushing leaders for the Black team were Rodney Cross who finished with 23 yards on six carries. Coleman had 10 yards on three carries, which included the scoring run.

Kevin Bass was the leading receiver for the Black Team with a 37 yard reception for his only catch. Zack Meadows had only one catch but it was the four yard touchdown reception.

Brandon Slater and Edward Mosley led the Black Team's defense with five tackles each. Mosley also forced a fumble which he recovered. Knox had the interception to stop the first drive of the game and DeMarques Taylor added two sacks.

The Hornets are scheduled to open the 2013 season when they host in-state rival Jacksonville State University on Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. 

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION