HAMPTON, Virginia — Robert Prunty was introduced as the 21st head coach of the Hampton Pirates at a news conference Dec. 8 at Hampton University’s Student Center Theater.
“I am up for the challenge,” Prunty said.
Eugene Marshall Jr., Director of Athletics at Hampton University, welcomed Prunty, a Hamptonian with more than 30 years of football experience as a player and coach and a four-time conference recruiter-of-the-year honoree with two different Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs.
“Coach Prunty’s record speaks for itself,” Marshall said. “He’s from Virginia. He played for Hampton. It was very refreshing to hear him say ‘I want to come back to Hampton.’”
Prunty served last season as East Carolina University’s associate head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. Prior to that, he served four years as the University of Cincinnati’s associate head coach and defensive ends coach and three years as co-defensive coordinator. Before impacting the Bearcat program, Prunty spent three seasons under Tommy Tuberville at Texas Tech, 2010-2012, directing the Red Raiders’ defensive ends.
“You have no idea how great it is to be back at Hampton,” Prunty said. “This is not my team. It belongs to the university, the alumni, the fans and I want to make that clear.”
Prunty is up to the challenge of taking a winning Pirate team into the bigger spotlight of the Big South Conference, which Hampton University joins next July.
“We will be fundamental and disciplined,” he said. “I didn’t come to Hampton to lose!”
Prunty has been part of five bowl appearances, a conference co-championship and has been recognized by Scout.com as the Big 12 Conference Recruiter-of-the-Year in 2010-11 and 2011-12 before earning similar honors as the American Athletic Conference’s (AAC) top recruiter in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
His player evaluation and relationship cultivation skills produced Texas Tech’s second-highest rated class in school history in 2012 and his efforts were saluted by both Scout.com and Fox Sports. Prunty plans on putting that skill to work on tapping the Hampton Roads rich high school talent pool for the Pirates.
“The 757 area: it will be our bloodline,” Prunty said. “Every coach on my team will be looking for 757 talent.”
Prunty is a Chatham, Va., native and a 1983 Hargrave Military Academy graduate. Prunty split his collegiate career between Hampton University and Alabama A&M, where he graduated in 1988.
For more information on Hampton University football, contact the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5757, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Savannah State moves to Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
SSU competed in the SIAC from 1968 until 2000 when the university was approved for Division I membership as an independent. Savannah State was accepted into the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) as a provisional member in 2010 and attained full membership a year later.
“With the input of the athletics transition taskforce and the athletics department, it was determined that the SIAC was the best fit for SSU and its students,” said Dozier. “I look forward to renewing old SIAC rivalries and establishing new ones that will engage SSU Tiger fans.”
SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore stated: “Welcoming Savannah State University to the SIAC not only adds a 15th outstanding institution, but also restores important historic and geographic rivalries, which I’m certain SIAC alumni, students and fans will enjoy.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Savannah State University back to the SIAC,” stated Council of Presidents Chairman and Miles College President George T. French Jr. “The historical ties shared by Savannah State and the SIAC, coupled with a shared commitment to academic and athletic excellence, makes them a perfect fit for our great conference.”
Savannah State will become the 15th member of the SIAC, joining other Georgia colleges and universities including Albany State, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Morehouse and Paine, in conjunction with its other member institutions: Benedict, Central State, Claflin, Kentucky State, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Miles, Spring Hill, and Tuskegee.
Earlier this year, SSU announced its intent to leave MEAC at the end of the 2018-19 academic school year and to return to NCAA Division II Athletics. Following the announcement, an athletics transition taskforce was established to explore Division II conference options.
The SIAC, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., was established in 1913 and is the largest HBCU Conference in the United States. In addition to football, the SIAC sponsors baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's golf, women's golf, softball, women's track & field, men's track & field, men's tennis, women's tennis and women's volleyball.
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Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black college or university in Georgia and the oldest institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university's 4,900 students select majors from 30 undergraduate and six graduate programs in three colleges ‐ Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology ‐ and the School of Teacher Education.
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Cheyney University finally fumbles its football program
THORNBURY, Pennsylvania -- It’s been the subject of speculation and rumor for years, but it’s now official: Cheyney University is dropping football due to worsening financial constraints.Head coach Chris Roulhac confirmed that Wednesday evening after meeting with Cheyney President Aaron Walton, the coaching staff and players.
“We were invited to a meeting with the president on Wednesday and told that due to budgetary restraints, the football program was being discontinued,” said Roulhac, who returned for his second stint as head coach at CU in 2015. “It’s been a very sad last 24 hours, but there is really nothing we can do about it. You hear rumors, but we always held out hope that the program could be saved.”
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference sent out a release Thursday about the move. Calls to the Walton’s office and Cheyney’s interim Athletic Director Sue Kilian were not returned. Nothing about the move was mentioned on the school’s main website or athletic website as of Thursday evening.
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PSAC STATEMENT ON CHEYNEY FOOTBALL
LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is aware of Cheyney University’s announcement of dropping football from its sports sponsorship menu.
We have been in contact with Cheyney University President Aaron Walton as he and his staff deliberated potential actions. The communications between the Conference and President Walton have been objective and forthright on both sides.
These are very difficult times financially for many institutions of higher education in the country and the Commonwealth. Cheyney’s decision is a result of that.
The Conference Office will work with its member institutions to find potential opponents in the 10 now open dates in mandated league schedules.
SWAC issues go beyond figuring out football future
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Last week’s SWAC championship game was supposed to be the conference’s last one.
Back in June, the conference announced plans to “suspended” its title game to place more emphasis on the Celebration Bowl between SWAC and MEAC champions in Atlanta to kick off the bowl season.
“We are pleased with the commitment demonstrated by both conference commissioners, their council of presidents and chancellors,” said John Grant, the bowl game’s executive director, back in June. “This is great news for HBCU football fans, and reflects a greater understanding of the opportunity that the bowl game presents.”
The SWAC looked to eliminate divisions as part of eliminating the conference title game, but both may stay in intact for the 2018 season.
“I got an email yesterday that they’re going back to the divisions,” Alabama State coach Donald Hill-Eley said Thursday. “We’ll be prepared either way because the bottom line is we have to take it one game at a time.”
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Back in June, the conference announced plans to “suspended” its title game to place more emphasis on the Celebration Bowl between SWAC and MEAC champions in Atlanta to kick off the bowl season.
“We are pleased with the commitment demonstrated by both conference commissioners, their council of presidents and chancellors,” said John Grant, the bowl game’s executive director, back in June. “This is great news for HBCU football fans, and reflects a greater understanding of the opportunity that the bowl game presents.”
The SWAC looked to eliminate divisions as part of eliminating the conference title game, but both may stay in intact for the 2018 season.
“I got an email yesterday that they’re going back to the divisions,” Alabama State coach Donald Hill-Eley said Thursday. “We’ll be prepared either way because the bottom line is we have to take it one game at a time.”
CONTINUE READING
2017 Celebration Bowl tickets on sale now
ATLANTA, Georgia -- With the college football postseason fast approaching, tickets are now on sale for the third annual Celebration Bowl. As the Bowl season’s opening game, the Celebration Bowl is a championship-style game between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions. The game will be broadcast live on ABC at noon ET on Saturday, Dec. 16, from the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. SportsCenter on the Road will once again air live from the Stadium beginning at 10 a.m.
Establishing itself as a premier bowl game, the Celebration Bowl celebrates the heritage, legacy, pageantry, and tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. ESPN works with 100 Black Men of Atlanta to organize the game’s ancillary events which include a youth symposium, robotics showcase, fan experience and more. Each conference has claimed a victory in the event’s first two years, with MEAC Champion North Carolina A&T defeating Alcorn State 2015 and SWAC Champion Grambling State beating North Carolina Central in 2016. Two bowl champions were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft: 2015 Offensive MVP Tarik Cohen (Chicago Bears) and 2016 First Team All-SWAC member Chad Williams (Arizona Cardinals).
Fans can purchase tickets to the Celebration Bowl online at thecelebrationbowl.com or ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Prices range from $50 to $175. A full list of events surrounding the game are available on the event’s website.
For more information, visit www.TheCelebrationBowl.com, and follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.
SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
NCCU Promotes Eastman to Interim Head Football Coach for 2018
DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University promoted Granville Eastman to serve as interim head football coach for the 2018 season on Friday, as Jerry Mack departs NCCU for another coaching position.
"North Carolina Central University is excited about Coach Jerry Mack's new appointment and salute his contributions to our student-athletes and athletics program," said NCCU Chancellor Dr. Johnson Akinleye. "Over the past four years, our football program has experienced tremendous success, including capturing three championships under the leadership of Coach Mack. He and his staff's dedication to our student-athletes and this university has built a nationally-ranked program that has garnered increased exposure for NCCU throughout North Carolina and around the country.
"Granville Eastman is an accomplished coach who has been part of our championship-winning coaching staff," Johnson added. "We are thrilled he accepted our offer to serve in this new role and look forward to the continuity his leadership will bring."
With 24 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman has been an integral part of the Eagles' success during the past four years as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
"Coach Mack and his staff have achieved significant accomplishments over the past four seasons and have created a championship brand of FCS football at NCCU. I am proud that our student-athletes have developed academically and athletically under the leadership of this group of coaches," said Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, NCCU Director of Athletics. "I am confident in Coach Eastman's ability to continue leading our program, further our winning culture and ensure the academic and athletic success of our student-athletes at NCCU."
Since joining NCCU in 2014, Eastman has engineered one of the nation's top defensive units. Under his tutelage, the Eagles have ranked among the NCAA Division I-FCS top-10 statistical leaders in tackles for loss, fumbles recovered, red zone defense, turnovers gained, and third-down and fourth-down conversion percentage defense.
"I am so proud and happy for my friend Jerry Mack. I wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter of their journey," said Eastman. "I am most proud of what we have established here at North Carolina Central University. Coach Mack was the architect for designing a football program for success both on and off the field. I consider it an honor and a privilege to carry on the tradition of excellence in his footsteps."
Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator and interim head coach.
Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs.
He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999.
He has interned with five NFL teams since 2002, lending his services to the Detroit Lions (2002), Arizona Cardinals (2004), Tennessee Titans (2006), Indianapolis Colts (2011) and Minnesota Vikings (2012).
Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.
Eastman also volunteers as a coach and mentor with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
He is married to the former Lynnette Armstrong. They are the proud parents of two sons - J.R. and Brandon.
The Granville Eastman File
Education:
Saint Mary's University (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada), 1992, bachelor's degree/criminology certificate
Arkansas State University, 1999, master's degree in sociology
Collegiate Playing Experience:
Saint Mary's University, defensive back (1989-92)
Coaching Experience:
York University (Toronto, Canada), assistant coach (defensive backs), 1994-95
Arkansas State University, graduate assistant (defense), 1996-98
Tiffin University
- assistant coach (defensive backs/recruiting coordinator), 1999
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/defensive line/recruiting coordinator), 2000
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/defensive backs/recruiting coordinator), 2001-02
Austin Peay State University
- assistant coach (defensive backs/special teams coordinator), 2003-04
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/outside linebackers/safeties), 2005-06
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/defensive backs), 2007-09
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/linebackers), 2010
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/safeties), 2011-12
- interim head coach, January-March 2013
- assistant head coach (defensive coordinator/secondary), 2013
North Carolina Central University
- assistant head coach (defensive coordinator/safeties), 2014-17
- interim head coach, 2018
NCAA Division I-FCS Statistical Rankings – NCCU Team Defense under Defensive Coordinator Granville Eastman
2017: 2nd Third-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 17th Sacks, 17th Red Zone Defense, 19th Rushing Defense, 19th Defensive Touchdowns
2016: 6th Tackles for Loss, 14th Sacks, 17th Fumbles Recovered
2015: 1st Fourth-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 3rd Tackles for Loss, 8th Red Zone Defense, 10th Fumbles Recovered, 17th Sacks
2014: 2nd Fumbles Recovered, 5th Turnovers Gained, 7th Third-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 19th Passing Yards Allowed
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
"North Carolina Central University is excited about Coach Jerry Mack's new appointment and salute his contributions to our student-athletes and athletics program," said NCCU Chancellor Dr. Johnson Akinleye. "Over the past four years, our football program has experienced tremendous success, including capturing three championships under the leadership of Coach Mack. He and his staff's dedication to our student-athletes and this university has built a nationally-ranked program that has garnered increased exposure for NCCU throughout North Carolina and around the country.
"Granville Eastman is an accomplished coach who has been part of our championship-winning coaching staff," Johnson added. "We are thrilled he accepted our offer to serve in this new role and look forward to the continuity his leadership will bring."
With 24 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman has been an integral part of the Eagles' success during the past four years as the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
"Coach Mack and his staff have achieved significant accomplishments over the past four seasons and have created a championship brand of FCS football at NCCU. I am proud that our student-athletes have developed academically and athletically under the leadership of this group of coaches," said Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, NCCU Director of Athletics. "I am confident in Coach Eastman's ability to continue leading our program, further our winning culture and ensure the academic and athletic success of our student-athletes at NCCU."
Since joining NCCU in 2014, Eastman has engineered one of the nation's top defensive units. Under his tutelage, the Eagles have ranked among the NCAA Division I-FCS top-10 statistical leaders in tackles for loss, fumbles recovered, red zone defense, turnovers gained, and third-down and fourth-down conversion percentage defense.
"I am so proud and happy for my friend Jerry Mack. I wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter of their journey," said Eastman. "I am most proud of what we have established here at North Carolina Central University. Coach Mack was the architect for designing a football program for success both on and off the field. I consider it an honor and a privilege to carry on the tradition of excellence in his footsteps."
Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator and interim head coach.
Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs.
He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999.
He has interned with five NFL teams since 2002, lending his services to the Detroit Lions (2002), Arizona Cardinals (2004), Tennessee Titans (2006), Indianapolis Colts (2011) and Minnesota Vikings (2012).
Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.
Eastman also volunteers as a coach and mentor with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
He is married to the former Lynnette Armstrong. They are the proud parents of two sons - J.R. and Brandon.
The Granville Eastman File
Education:
Saint Mary's University (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada), 1992, bachelor's degree/criminology certificate
Arkansas State University, 1999, master's degree in sociology
Collegiate Playing Experience:
Saint Mary's University, defensive back (1989-92)
Coaching Experience:
York University (Toronto, Canada), assistant coach (defensive backs), 1994-95
Arkansas State University, graduate assistant (defense), 1996-98
Tiffin University
- assistant coach (defensive backs/recruiting coordinator), 1999
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/defensive line/recruiting coordinator), 2000
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/defensive backs/recruiting coordinator), 2001-02
Austin Peay State University
- assistant coach (defensive backs/special teams coordinator), 2003-04
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/outside linebackers/safeties), 2005-06
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/defensive backs), 2007-09
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/special teams/linebackers), 2010
- assistant coach (defensive coordinator/safeties), 2011-12
- interim head coach, January-March 2013
- assistant head coach (defensive coordinator/secondary), 2013
North Carolina Central University
- assistant head coach (defensive coordinator/safeties), 2014-17
- interim head coach, 2018
NCAA Division I-FCS Statistical Rankings – NCCU Team Defense under Defensive Coordinator Granville Eastman
2017: 2nd Third-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 17th Sacks, 17th Red Zone Defense, 19th Rushing Defense, 19th Defensive Touchdowns
2016: 6th Tackles for Loss, 14th Sacks, 17th Fumbles Recovered
2015: 1st Fourth-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 3rd Tackles for Loss, 8th Red Zone Defense, 10th Fumbles Recovered, 17th Sacks
2014: 2nd Fumbles Recovered, 5th Turnovers Gained, 7th Third-Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 19th Passing Yards Allowed
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Coach Jerry Mack leaving NC Central for offensive coordinator job at Rice
DURHAM, North Carolina -- N.C. Central football coach Jerry Mack is leaving Durham to become the next offensive coordinator at Rice University in Houston, Texas, Mack said Friday.The Owls earlier this week named former Stanford offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren as their new head coach replacing David Bailiff, who was fired in November after 10 years of leading the program.
Bloomgren and Mack have history, both serving on the staff at Delta State when Mack was a graduate assistant there in 2004-2005. Bloomgren was the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and special teams coach from March 2005 to February 2007. A chance to coach at the highest level and to coach with his good friend Bloomgren was a chance Mack jumped at.
“I just couldn’t turn down this opportunity for me and my family,” Mack said.
Mack, 37, was named the Eagles 22nd head football coach in 2013. The Memphis, Tenn. native was the third-youngest active Division I coach. In four years in Durham, Mack led the Eagles to a 31-15 record and three consecutive MEAC championships. During the 2016 season, N.C. Central cracked the FCS Top 25 poll for the first time since making the jump to Division I, earning a trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
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