HBCU Digest

HBCU News, Commentary and Information

SWAC Football Archive

Tuesday

17

July 2012

0

COMMENTS

Grambling, Alabama State Picked as SWAC Preseason Division Winners

Written by , Posted in Alabama, Alabama State University, Grambling State University, Louisiana, Sports

Grambling State University and Alabama State University were the overwhelming favorites to win the SWAC west and east divisions respectively, revealed at yesterday’s SWAC Media Day in Birmingham. Defending SWAC champion Grambling received 20 first place votes to Alabama State’s 11.

Grambling running back Dawarence Roberts was chosen as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Jackson State defensive lineman Joseph LeBeau was tabbed preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Monday

16

July 2012

0

COMMENTS

SWAC Hires Marketing Firm

Written by , Posted in Sports, SWAC Basketball Tournament, SWAC Football

The SWAC recently announced its partnership with French/West/Vaughan, a public relations firm that will be charged with managing the conference’s branding and marketing its postseason championships in football and basketball.

“The conference and our Council of Presidents and Chancellors are excited to begin work with French/West/Vaughan,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “Their sports marketing and specific HBCU experience is unique and we believe they can help take the conference and our key championship events to a new level.”

(more…)

Monday

28

May 2012

1

COMMENTS

Alcorn State Introduces Jay Hopson as First White Head Football Coach in School, SWAC History

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Headlines, Mississippi, Sports

[mpoverlay]Alcorn State University today announced Jay Hopson as the Braves’ new head football coach. Hopson is the first white head coach in the history of Alcorn, and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

“It was a great process, Jay came out on top of the pool every step of the way,” said Alcorn President M. Christopher Brown. “There was never any question about his ability to coach, or his ability to fit the criteria for the job. The question was if Alcorn was ready to meet the challenge of hiring a different kind of coach, and we absolutely were.”

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Saturday

26

May 2012

0

COMMENTS

Alcorn State to Introduce New Head Football Coach on Monday

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Headlines, Mississippi, Sports

alcorn-state

[mpoverlay]Alcorn State University today announced that a press conference will be held on Monday, May 28 to introduce the university’s new head football coach. Alcorn President M. Christopher Brown II will also explain in detail the search process, which officials say was delayed slightly by planning and execution of commencement exercises earlier this month. From the release:

The date for the announcement was confirmed and held confidential almost three weeks ago when campus management realized they would be unable to complete critical data analysis in advance of graduation activities.

“We could not rush this process,” says President Brown. “Alcorn’s leadership along with the search committee took the responsibility of selecting the next head football coach very seriously. A thorough process was necessary to find the best hire for Alcorn at this point in our history.  Additionally, the university needed to reassess football operations over the past decade and dedicate the resources necessary for Division I program logistics and student-athlete recruitment.”

The press conference will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the Alcorn campus.[/mpoverlay]

Friday

11

May 2012

0

COMMENTS

Monday

20

February 2012

0

COMMENTS

Southern Announces 2012 Football Schedule

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Headlines, Mississippi, Southern University, Sports

Southern University today announced its 2012 football schedule, highlighted by its out of conference season opener and late September match-up with Florida A&M. The remainder of SU’s schedule is compromised of SWAC competition, and features four home games.

September

1 at New Mexico (Alberquerque, N.M. | University Stadium)
15 Miss. Valley State
22 at Jackson State (Jackson, Miss. | Veterans Memorial)
29 vs. Florida A&M (Atlanta Football Classic | Atlanta, Ga. | Georgia Dome)

October

6 at Alcorn State (Lorman, Miss. | Jack Spinks Stadium)
13 Texas Southern (Homecoming 2012)
20 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
27 at Prairie View A&M (Shreveport, La. | Independence Stadium)

November

Nov. 3 at Alabama A&M (Huntsville, Ala. | Louis Crews Stadium)
Nov. 10 Alabama State (Senior Night)
Nov. 24 vs. Grambling State (State Farm Bayou Classic | New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

Sunday

12

February 2012

0

COMMENTS

Reggie Barlow Critical of Contract Status with Alabama State

Written by , Posted in Alabama, Alabama State University, Headlines, Sports

Barlow

The Montgomery Advertiser today published an in-depth interview with Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow. Less than two years removed from a run to the SWAC football championship game, Barlow gives a candid look at his frustration about his contract, which is guaranteed only through the end of this year, and yet-to-arrive raises for coaches on his staff.

“When you feel like you have a good (coach) who is positive in the community, you should hold on to them,” Barlow said. “The grass ain’t always greener.”

I’m hoping that prior to getting started back up (in preparation for the 2012 season), we can get something that’s really long term or that has a commitment on both sides that’s for more than two years. Because once you do one of (the years in a two-year guarantee), you’re back to that one-year mark and that’s where we are now.You’d like to have something set in stone so that when you go out and recruit, you can be aggressive and let the kids know I’m going to be here and you can continue to build your program.” (Montgomery Advertiser)

Barlow and the Hornets were relieved of NCAA probation in December 2011, which will add scholarships and recruiting time for the upcoming season.

Thursday

22

December 2011

0

COMMENTS

Shaw’s Darrell Asberry Named Texas Southern Head Football Coach

Written by , Posted in Texas Southern University

TSUTigers

Texas Southern University today announced Darrell Asberry as its new head football coach. Asberry comes to Houston from Shaw University, where he was a regular contender for and three-time winner of the CIAA football championship.

“We hired Darrell Asberry as our next football coach at Texas Southern because if you look at his background and his track record, he developed Shaw into one of the premier Division II football programs,” said Charles McClelland, TSU’s athletics director, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

“He has a very high graduation rate. We wanted somebody that was going to come in and be a great football coach and a great fit for Texas Southern University and I think Darrell can help us achieve our goals.”

Monday

19

December 2011

0

COMMENTS

Kevin Ramsey, Shaw’s Asberry Among Finalists for Texas Southern Job

Written by , Posted in Sports, Texas Southern University

TSUTigers

FOX 26 in Houston is reporting that Texas Southern interim head football coach Kevin Ramsey and Shaw University football coach Darrell Asberry are among the finalists to be named TSU’s next head football coach. A third unnamed candidate is also in consideration.

Sources told FOX 26 interim head coach Kevin Ramsey, who went 4-7 in 2011, is one of the finalists.

TSU is also considering Shaw University head coach Darrell Asberry, who has been the Bears head coach since 2006.

Asberry has won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships in the last five years.

Monday

12

December 2011

0

COMMENTS

Report: Alcorn State Football Coach Melvin Spears Placed on Administrative Leave

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Mississippi, Sports

Melvin Spears

Ross Dellenger of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reported earlier today that embattled Alcorn State head football coach Melvin Spears has been placed on administrative leave by the university. The report comes days after Alcorn President M. Christopher Brown told local media that several coaches would be fired due to budget constraints, partly caused by sinking revenues at home games from low attendance.

“Based on what they’re talking about, I’m being terminated for insubordination or something,” Spears said. “I felt blessed to have this great opportunity. Alcorn is my school. … We’ll move on to the next task. … I’ve had a great ride. … It’s always outstanding to come home. Bottom line, we did it the right way.”

Spears’ suspension comes three days after Alcorn president Christopher Brown told The Clarion-Ledger that the coach had a “50-50″ chance of returning for his second year with the squad. Also on Friday, Brown said that “at least three” assistants would be fired and not replaced, citing budget issues. (Clarion-Ledger)

Spears was in the first year of his tenure with Alcorn, and led the Braves to a 2-8 record this season. He also oversaw the departure of quarterback Brandon Bridge, a regularly-mentioned player in the discussion among the SWAC’s best at the position. Spears spent much of the season criticized by Alcorn alumni, who allegedly are pooling money to assist the university in buying out the coach’s contract.

Alcorn spokesperson Clara Stamps said that the decision to place Spears on leave was based upon a recommendation from the Department of Athletics to Dr. Brown, and was made effective this morning.

Saturday

10

December 2011

0

COMMENTS

Grambling State Rallies To Win SWAC Football Championship

Written by , Posted in Sports, SWAC Football

A season that began with an unlikely 1-4 start for the Grambling State Tigers ended with a familiar refrain from years past, as GSU rallied from fourth quarter deficit against Alabama A&M to win the SWAC football championship 16-15 this afternoon in Birmingham.

Western Division champ Grambling State 8-4 collected its sixth title in the 13th year of the SWAC championship game and its first since 2008. The Tigers have won all four of its title game meetings with A&M.Grambling State had fallen to A&M, 20-14, at home in a regular-season game on Sept. 24.

But the Tigers, 1-4 in mid-October, won their final seven games to collect the Eddie Robinson Trophy in Doug Williams first season since returning to campus for his second stint as head coach. (FOX News)

Monday

5

December 2011

0

COMMENTS

Alabama A&M, Jones Talk Contract Extension

Written by , Posted in Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Sports

Alabama A&M is eyeing a potential extension for head football coach Anthony Jones. Jones led the Bulldogs to an 8-3 record this year and the school’s fifth appearance in the SWAC championship game.

A&M, despite being picked to finish fourth in the Eastern Division preseason poll, won the Eastern Division title for the fifth time in Jones’ 10 seasons and will play Grambling in the SWAC championship game Saturday at Birmingham’s Legion Field. Kickoff is noon and the game will be televised on ESPNU.

“Coach Jones has turned our program around,” Austin said. “He was told we couldn’t finish where we finished last year and we needed to show significant improvement and we’ve done that. (Huntsville Times)

Tuesday

29

November 2011

0

COMMENTS

Alabama A&M Unheralded in SWAC Championship Build-Up, But Prepared

Written by , Posted in Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Sports

Grambling State has one of the biggest single season turnarounds in college football this year, turning a shaky beginning to the season and an offense led by a freshman quarterback into the favorite for the SWAC football championship.

The only team with a bigger turnaround? Alabama A&M, which lost its first two games of the year and has won eight of its last nine with serviceable defense and a balanced offensive attack. The least sexy headline magnet of the two teams competing for the SWAC crown, AAMU head coach Anthony Jones says his team was prepared for the possibility of a meeting with GSU.

“We were 0-2 and no one expected us to be where we are now,” Jones said. “We’ve had one of the biggest turnarounds in all of the country. We’re trying to complete the turnaround. All we’ve done is flipthe numbers from 3-8 to 8-3. We’re trying to add another number to that.

“Everybody in the SWAC fights to play in the championship game. We have that chance and so does Grambling. When we played them earlier in the year, I said don’t be surprised if we see them again. A lot of people didn’t see it. My early thoughts were between them and UAPB. They had to get used to to the new systems. They seem to have found their stride and they understand their roles and the rest is history.” (Huntsville Times)

Alabama A&M is well tested for the title game, and should have a mental advantage to reverse a trend of losing efforts in the title game against Grambling. AAMU got its first road victory in school history over the Tigers earlier this season.

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