The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and GCAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes..
ASSISTANT COACH ANDREW BROWN WSSU RAMS MEN'S BASKETBALL
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --
The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball program is proud to announce that Andrew Brown has joined the coaching staff for the 2015-16 season.
Andrew Brown joins the Rams coaching staff after spending three seasons as the head coach at St Andrew's University in Laurinburg, N.C. He comes to WSSU with a wealth of experience and will be a benefit for the program with his wealth of knowledge and sheer energy.
The Pontiac, Michigan native took over a program that was in transition into the NAIA in 2012 and has continued to build it up by incrementally increasing their win total every season during his time at the school. In the 14-15 season Brown lead the Knights to a 9-14 record and a 6-12 mark in the Appalachian Athletic Conference . St. Andrews's nine wins and six conference wins are the most for the program since 2011. In his first year in 2012, the Knights finished 2-25 overall and 1-15 in the AAC, and in year two they were 5-19 overall and 3-15 in conference. Two St. Andrews players who Brown assisted in the development into 2nd team All-Conference players were sophomore Guard Titus Gary from Fayetteville and senior Guard Aaron Smith from Raleigh. Brown served as an assistant coach for St Andrews in 11-12 season under former head coach and current ESPN 3 commentator Richie Schueler.
Brown gained valuable coaching experience at the D-I level while he was a Graduate Assistant Coach at Mercer University for two seasons (08-09 and 09-10) under Bob Hoffman. He was heavily involved with a variety of administrative duties within the program. He helped with community functions, severed as camp director for Mercer basketball camps, coordinated and participated in educational programs in the Bibb County School District. In addition he assisted with day-to-day office operations under the guidance of the director of basketball operations. In 2009-10 the Mercer Bears team advanced all the way to the title game of the Atlantic Sun Conference championships losing to eventual champion East Tennessee State. The team finished 16-17 overall and was 10-10 in the A-Sun. After the season Brown trained aspiring professional basketball players included three former Mercer Bears, Daniel Emerson (All-Atlantic Sun conference member), James Florence (Mercer's all-time leading scorer and current professional basketball player) and retired professional basketball player EJ Kusnyer (ranked second in the NCAA in 3pt Field Goals made in 2009-10).
In addition Brown was an assistant coach under John Meeks at Wallace Hanceville CC during the 10-11 season. Prior to coaching at Mercer, Brown aided the Bears of Mercer University (Macon, GA) on the court for three seasons by leading his team in scoring at 15.5ppg during his senior campaign. Brown played one season at Owens Community College (Toledo, OH); where he played an instrumental role in his team finishing with a overall record of 28-6 and ranked #4 in the Final poll of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II.
Andrew Brown had a brief professional career when he played in Germany in the 2nd league division and when he toured overseas to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria with Athletes In Action in 2008.
Brown holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree from Mercer University.
COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
COACH LESLIE NOBLES BRONCOS FOOTBALL FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina --Fayetteville State University head football coach Lawrence Kershaw has appointed Leslie Nobles to serve as the running backs coach for the upcoming 2015 season. This will be Nobles second season on the Broncos’ football coaching staff. He joined the staff in 2014 as the volunteer assistant wide receivers coach.
Nobles immediately made his impact felt on the coaching staff last season. In his first season, Nobles’ efforts contributed to Fayetteville State reaching their second consecutive 5-2 record in the CIAA. The Broncos won five of their last six games and competed for the CIAA Southern Division title in the season finale.
Three Broncos’ receiver all reached season-highs for their career under Nobles’ tutelage in 2014. Rising senior Chris Hubert (Apex, NC) amassed 46 catches for 574 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In his senior season, Kasunn Williams (Rocky Mount, NC) recorded 483 receiving yards off a career-high 34 receptions and three TDs. Ricardo White (Monroe, NC) closed out his senior campaign with career-highs in receptions (37), receiving yards (473), and receiving touchdowns (5).
“This opportunity is a dream come true for me,” said Nobles. “Football has been a part of my life since the age of five. I knew when I left the army that coaching is my passion. Opportunities like these don’t come often and I appreciate Coach Kershaw giving me a chance to prove my worth.”
Nobles has aligned with the Broncos football program after spending over 14 years as a United States Army Officer. He brings experience as a leader, proven coach, instructor, and mentor of diverse and intellectually gifted student-athletes.
“I expect our running backs to be leaders for the team; on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” continued Nobles. Nobles is a graduate of Alabama A&M University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He spent four seasons playing wide receiver at Alabama A&M for Coach Kenneth Pettiford. A native of Prichard, AL, Nobles attended Mattie T. Blount High; where he won a 5A State Championship as a captain for Hall of Fame Coach Ben Harris. Nobles obtained a master’s degree in Sports Management from American Military University. He is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Fellowship of Christians Athletes and St. Luke AME Church (Fayetteville, NC). Nobles’ is also a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. He resides in Fayetteville with his wife, the former Joy Belle. The couple has two children, one daughter (Lauryn) and a son (Leslie Jacob).
“I expect our running backs to be leaders for the team; on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” continued Nobles.
Nobles is a graduate of Alabama A&M University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He spent four seasons playing wide receiver at Alabama A&M for Coach Kenneth Pettiford. A native of Prichard, AL, Nobles attended Mattie T. Blount High; where he won a 5A State Championship as a captain for Hall of Fame Coach Ben Harris.
Nobles obtained a master’s degree in Sports Management from American Military University. He is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Fellowship of Christians Athletes and St. Luke AME Church (Fayetteville, NC). Nobles’ is also a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
He resides in Fayetteville with his wife, the former Joy Belle. The couple has two children, one daughter (Lauryn) and a son (Leslie Jacob).
COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
DURHAM, North Carolina – Thirteen-year college football coach Carl Funderburk has joined the North Carolina Central University football staff as tight ends coach.
Funderburk replaces Mike McCarthly who accepted a position in the NFL on the Cleveland Browns coaching staff.
A native of Durham, North Carolina, Funderburk's last coaching stop was with the Fayetteville Force of the Southern Indoor Football League as offensive line and defensive line coach during the 2011 season.
He spent the 2010 season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as offensive line coach at Savannah State University, and the 2009 campaign as offensive line coach at Winston-Salem State University.
Funderburk coached seven years (2002-08) at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he served as the offensive line coach and travel coordinator. During his tenure, the Monarchs posted their second-best campaign in program history with an overall record of 8-2 in 2005.
Prior to coaching at Methodist, he spent three seasons (1999-2001) at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he served as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and offensive line coach.
His first college coaching job was working with the offensive line at Kemper Military Junior College in Booneville, Missouri in 1998.
A 1989 graduate of Elon University, Funderburk served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal and Squad Leader from 1980-1983.
He and his wife Eileen reside in Durham, North Carolina, and are the proud parents of a daughter, Ashley.
Carl Funderburk
At A Glance
Born: March 14, 1963 in Lantana, Florida
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Education: Elon University (1989)
Bachelor of Arts in History
Coaching Experience:
Fayetteville (N.C.) Force (Southern Indoor Football League), 2011 (1 season)
Offensive Line/Defensive Line Coach
Savannah State University, 2010 (1 season)
Offensive Line Coach
Winston Salem State University, 2009 (1 season)
Offensive Line Coach
Methodist University, 2002-2008 (7 seasons)
Offensive Line Coach
Bacone College, 1999-2001 (3 seasons)
Offensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach
Kemper Military Junior College, 1998 (1 season)
Offensive Line Coach
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Elaine Derricott has joined the Department of Athletics as the Assistant Track and Field Coach.
Before coming to Mississippi Valley, Derricott served one year as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Eastern Kentucky University. Under her tutelage, she coached six All-Conference athletes and one conference champion in multi-events, jumps and hurdles.
Derricott hails from Richmond, Virginia, attended Radford University, where she became the first pentathlon champion in school history. Her freshman year was explosive; she set the indoor conference pentathlon record en route to be named "Freshman of the Year."
Derricott transferred to Marshall University, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Sports Management and Marketing in 2014. Prior to graduating, she became the first Outdoor Conference Champion in school history. She also received All-Conference honors 13 times; this includes seven top three finishes.
COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University football team begins year two of the Harold Jackson era in Tigers football. While the Tigers finished with a disappointing 5-7 (3-6) record, JSU finished the 2014 season with a two game winning streak and bright spots on both sides of the ball to build on.
The Offense
Timmy Chang, JSU’s offensive coordinator, enters his second year at the helm of JSU’s fast break, run-and-shoot offense. In the first season running the offense scheme, JSU had moments where it looked like it would set records and other times the offense had struggled to stay on the field. The unit’s inconsistent play was due to a combination – inexperience in the system and injuries along the offensive line.
“It takes a couple years to learn this offense,” said Chang. “As the team got more and more comfortable with the system, we began to play better. We also went through a rough patch on the offensive line. Once those two areas – getting more comfortable in the system and consistency along the line – we played better and that could be seen with us winning the final two games of the season.”
Quarterbacks
Lamontiez Ivy (6-3, 215, Jr.) quietly posted one of the best passing seasons in JSU history. His 64.0 completion percentage not only led the SWAC but was also the best single season performance by a JSU signal caller. Ivy completed 270 of his 420 pass attempts for a league high 3,209 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Only eight QBs in JSU history have thrown 20 or more touchdowns and only three have passed for 3,000 or more yards (the other two were Robert Kent and Casey Therriault). Following another solid spring, Ivy is poised to lead the Tigers offense into the 2015 season.
Should Ivy falter or go down with injury JSU coaches have two solid QB options in addition to Ivy. Returner Brent Lyles (6-2, 195, R-Fr.) and UNLV transfer Jarin Morikawa (6-0, 190, So.) will both compete for the starting job. Lyles sat out as a redshirt last season and Morikawa did not take the field for UNLV last season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jackson State quarterbacks will have a deep talent pool of pass catchers, with a good mix of possession receivers and speedsters who can take the top off of a defense. Daniel Williams (6-3, 200, Jr.) returns as one of the top receivers in FCS play. Last season he became only the seventh Tiger to record 1,000 or more pass receiving yards, while becoming one of the youngest in JSU history to do so - accomplishing the feat as a sophomore. He led the SWAC in receptions with 72 and was second in the league in receiving touchdowns (9) and third in receiving yards (1,004). Williams’ outstanding season saw him being selected as a nominee for the C Spire Conerly Trophy (best collegiate football player in Mississippi). Jairus Moll (5-9, 180, Sr.) finished 2014 as the second leading receiver as he caught 34 passes for 485 yards and six touchdowns. Devin Fosselman (5-11, 190, Sr.) caught 32 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. DeSean McKenzie (6-3, 190, Sr.) caught 22 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns. LaCorey Tucker (6-1, 185, Sr.) had 15 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown. Tight ends Jabari Payton (6-5, 250, Sr.) and Tevin Garrett (6-4, 250, Jr.) also return from last year’s team. Payton caught 12 balls for 120 yards while Garrett saw limited action. Other receivers expected to make significant contributions include Romello Shumake (5-10, 170, So.), Will Golston (6-2, 190, Jr.), Carzell Vickers (6-4, 185, Jr.) and Shaquille Ward (6-3, 185, So.).
Running backs/Full backs
JSU will have a good group in its backfield. Jarius Moore (5-11, 205, Jr.) and Robert Johnson, IV (6-0, 225, So.) return as the leading rushers for the Tigers. Moore rushed for 380 yards and three touchdowns on 77 carries and Johnson had 304 yards and a touchdown on 64 attempts. Each player has the size and speed to run between the tackles to pick up tough yards, or bounce it to the outside and go the distance. Both players are also solid pass catching options out of the backfield. Moore caught 12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown and Johnson caught 12 passes for 112 yards. This duo should be a potent one-two punch for the Tigers. Rashard Frye (5-9, 175, Fr.) - a quick, shifty speedster, Derrick Wilkerson (5-9, 200, Fr.) – a hard runner with speed, and Alexander Montgomery (5-10, 190, Jr.) – a veteran who can pick up tough yards, all add talent and depth to the JSU back field. Derrian Johnson (5-11, 220, Jr.) who has been utilized as a blocking back will look to get more carries this season. Last season he caught two passes for seven yards.
Offensive Line
The offensive line will be a key piece of the puzzle for the Tigers. Markus Cook (6-3, 285, Jr.), Christian Marshall (6-5, 290, Jr.) and Marcus Murphy (6-4, 305, Jr.) all will compete for starting jobs this season. Newcomers Vincent Hunter (6-4, 325, Jr.), Alem Amores (6-2, 290, Jr.), Zechariah Ray (6-7, 325, Jr.) and Kenneth Taylor (6-4, 335, Jr.) will all add depth to the unit.
Defense
Alonzo Lee, a veteran head coach and defensive coordinator, will lead the JSU defense in 2015. The Tigers will play a 4-3 base defense under Lee. Over his coaching career, Lee consistently produced quality defenses.
Defensive Line
A lack of depth along the defensive line was a weakness for the Tigers last season. Head coach Harold Jackson and his staff addressed that need – bolstering the unit with size and talent. Two of JSU’s more talented and experienced defenders – Teddrick Terrell (6-3, 225, Sr.) and Javancy Jones (6-2, 225, Jr.) return to the defensive line, after playing linebacker in JSU’s 3-4 defense last season. Jones finished last season as the team’s leading tackler with 107 total tackles. He also led the team in tackles for loss (18 for 68 yards) to go along with three sacks, a pass deflection, four QB hurries and a forced fumble. Terrell finished with 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass break ups and a forced fumble. Cornelius Henderson (6-3, 305, Jr.) emerged as a solid run stopper last season as he finished with 50 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Keontre Anderson (6-4, 230, So.) had a stellar freshman campaign last season. He finished with 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble. Coleman Johnson (6-2, 290, Jr.) missed all of last season due to injuries and the JSU coaching staff is looking for him to return to his 2013 form when he emerged as an outstanding defensive tackle. Frank Carter (6-3, 330, So.) and Lavaka Maile (6-5, 270, Sr.) are two other returners who will look to make significant contributions.
Transfers Vallemond German (6-3, 255, Jr.), Yacoub Hammoudeh (6-5, 300, Jr.), Demaris Peppers (6-3, 387, So.), James Reid (6-3, 280, Jr.), Nijee Smith (6-3, 225, Jr.) and Brandon Wright (6-2, 326, Jr.) will all look to make significant contributions.
Linebackers
The linebackers will be led by Stacy Nobles (6-0, 230, Jr.) and Kwame Bowens (6-0, 220, Jr.). Nobles was the fourth leading tackler on the team with 65. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Bowens saw action in seven games and recorded 35 tackles. Shawn Bishop (6-0, 235, So.) Jonathan Burnett (6-4, 220, So.) and Andre’ Lloyd (6-3, 210, So.) all look to have breakout seasons. Other key contributors should include Terry Harper (5-10, 210, So.), Tre Jester (5-11, 211, Jr.), Justin Morgan (6-4, 235, Jr.), Rodney Shorter, II (6-1, 230, So.) and Hector Stanback (6-0, 190, So.).
Secondary
JSU will have a solid secondary in 2015. The unit will be led by Robert Porter (6-0, 188, Sr.) and Brandon Smith (6-1, 200, Sr.) are projected to help lead the unit. Last season Porter recorded 61 tackles and a team high eight pass breakups to go along with an interception (TD). Smith posted 46 tackles, an interception and three pass breakups. Joshua Edet (6-0, 180, Sr.), Jamal Hawkins (6-0, 185, So.), Preston Hughes (6-0, 190, Jr.), Justin Jemison (6-3, 190, Jr.) and Demory Monroe (5-11, 180, So.) will all look to make significant contributions. Transfer Zavian Bingham (5-10, 190, Jr.) will also look to make an impact in the JSU secondary.
Special Teams
The special teams unit will be rock solid once again in 2015. Ryan Deising (5-8, 170, Sr.) returns as one of the best place kickers in the SWAC. Last season he was a perfect 32-32 in PAT kicks and went 18-23 in field goal attempts. Darcy Williamson (5-11, 180, Jr.) is one of the top punters in the SWAC. Last season he recorded 2,274 yards on 57 punts, for a 39.9 yards/punt average. He had five touchbacks, eight fair catches and landed 15 inside the 20-yard line. Christian Jacquemin (5-11, 190, RFr.) did not play last season but has a strong leg. Moll, Frye and Canard Brown (5-11, 180, Jr.) will serve as the main return men for the Tigers.
Schedule
JSU (5-7, 3-6 SWAC) opens the season with three straight road games. The Tigers travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. to take on Middle Tennessee State from Conference USA on Sept. 5. The following week, JSU travels to Memphis, Tenn. to square off against non-conference rival Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. On Sept. 19 JSU travels to Baton Rouge, La. to face Southern before a two game home stand.
The Tigers will host Texas Southern for the W.C. Gorden Classic in their home opener on Sept 26. On Oct. 3 JSU will host Grambling State for a second consecutive season. Following their first open week of the season, the Tigers will head to Huntsville, Ala. to face Alabama A&M on Oct. 17.
On Oct. 24 JSU squares off against Arkansas Pine Bluff for the homecoming football game. The following week JSU travels to Itta Bena, Miss. to face Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers welcome Alabama State to Jackson on Nov. 7. JSU’s final open week is set for Nov. 14 and on Nov. 21 JSU travels to Prairie View, Tex. to face Prairie View AA&M. The regular season ends on Nov. 28 when the Alcorn State returns to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
