Showing posts with label Hampton University Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hampton University Football. Show all posts

Monday, March 24, 2008

Hampton University suspends three football players

Quarterback T.J. Mitchell is among three Hampton University football players suspended from the team.

HAMPTON, VA - – Hampton University announced the suspensions on Monday of three football players, including starting quarterback T.J. Mitchell. A release issued by the school did not specify a reason, but sources said they were suspended for their involvement last week in a fight on campus.

The others suspended are punter Jahmal Blanchard and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy said that the players' futures will be determined following an internal hearing at the university.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hampton University football adds three assistant coaches and five transfers

HAMPTON - Jerry Holmes added some muscle to Hampton University's football program on Wednesday with the announcement of three new assistant coaches and five transfers. Holmes was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach on Dec. 29, when Joe Taylor left to become the coach at Florida A&M.

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Photo: Hampton University head football coach Jerry Holmes



















In summary, Coach Holmes staff consists of the following:

Jerry Holmes, Pirates Head Football Coach (WVU '79)
1. Terry Beauford, Offensive Line (FAMU '95)
2. Canute Curtis, Defensive Line (WVU '97)
3. Milo Austin, Running Backs (WVU '05)
4. Devan Hill, Defensive Backs (Hampton '04)
5. Roy Johnson, Quarterbacks(Hampton '99)
6. Donovan Rose, Assistant Head Coach/Secondary (Hampton '79)
7. Corey Sullivan, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers (Tennessee State '02)

The Pirates transfers consists of four Jucos and a speedy tailback from University of Tennessee. All will have two years of eligibility at Hampton University.

Lamarcus Coker, (U. of Tennessee)5-foot-10, 195-pounds, tailback
Davion Wright, Feather River Community College, Cal., 6-6, 320, offensive linemen.
Darius Collins, Feather River CC, 6-4, 250, tight end.
Lawrence Ferrell, Fork Union Military Academy, 5-10, 230-pound, fullback.
J.R. Carter, Feather River CC, 5-10, 200, safety.

We love HBCU presidents that are serious about their school's academics and athletics. Hampton University is well on its way to building a dynasty in football, basketball, track and field to go with their stellar academic reputation.

Way to go Pirates--keep snatching those bluechip players.

-beepbeep

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Jerry Holmes named Hampton University head football coach

Photo: Hampton University Pirates head football coach Jerry Holmes

by beepbeep

Jerry Holmes was named Saturday evening as the new head football coach at Hampton University, HU athletic director Lonza Hardy said. Holmes, the Pirates' defensive coordinator the past three seasons, replaces Joe Taylor, the Pirates' head coach the past 16 seasons.

Taylor has accepted the job as head coach at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Florida A&M, according to a story posted Saturday on Tallahassee.com. Taylor compiled a record of 136-49-1 at Hampton, guiding the Pirates to five MEAC and three CIAA titles. He is the winningest coach in school history.

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Coach Holmes is well qualified for the position with 10 years NFL experience as a player and five years as a NFL position coach. He has served 10 years combined at both West Virginia University and Hampton University as a linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.

Holmes is a graduate of Chowan Junior College where he earned an associate degree in business administration before transferring to West Virginia University. There he was a two-year Letterman in football, earning his degree in business administration in 1979. He is also an inductee in the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame.

You got to give Hampton University credit for having a succession plan for the future College Football Hall of Famer, Joe Taylor who will be welcomed to Florida A&M University in a Monday press conference.

This is amazing--two head football coaching hires in the same evening in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This has never happen before in MEAC history.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Hampton in 'Do or Die' situation

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

HAMPTON, Va. - Playing a "do or die" game on Homecoming is something Hampton University has not faced during its three-year run as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion.

Having already lost as many conference games this season as they have the previous three seasons combined, this is where the Pirates (4-2, 3-2) find themselves entering Saturday's showdown with South Carolina State (3-3, 2-1). Another loss would all but end Hampton's chances of a fourth straight MEAC title and their shot at an at-large Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth.

"As a champion, your back is always against the wall because everybody is always coming after you," Pirates head coach Joe Taylor said.

Among the winningest active FCS head coaches, Taylor foresaw a challenging season ahead for his Pirates. With 17 new starters and seeing an increase in conference parity with programs like Delaware State, Morgan State and Bay rival Norfolk State, who defeated the Pirates 20-19 last Saturday, emerging as title contenders, Taylor is still pleased to see how his team has fared in losing two games by a total of eight points.

Nevertheless, Taylor sees his young squad progressing fast but is waiting for them to compete for all four quarters.

"I think we're still on the right track," he said. "Each week, after we gameplan, I look at the personnel we're going against, and when I see most of these teams who have 15-20 starters who are juniors and seniors. We're not going to go away. I still think we're doing the right kind of things. I'm proud of what we're doing and there's a lot of football left."

Hampton owns an 11-2 edge over SCSU in the series and Taylor's winning record against the Bulldogs (11-4-1) dates back to his days at Virginia Union. The Pirates have also never lost to SCSU at Armstrong Stadium, including a 14-10 victory in 2005 in which they rallied from a 10-0 deficit with two, second-quarter touchdowns.

Last year's 13-6 win by SCSU which snapped the Pirates 24-game regular-season and 17-game conference winning streaks, played out the same way in turning into a second half defensive struggle. In fact, the two teams have combined to score three second-half points in the last two meetings.

Photo: #20, Gerard Griffin, RB 5-11/R-freshman, Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte H.S.

With SCSU coming off a 611-yard, 49-point effort against Florida A&M, Taylor said the Pirates must figure out a way to slow its offense down with a relatively new cast.

"They do what they do," he said. "They're going to run the football. That's their m.o. Defensively, they're going to flock to the football. They have a very sound special teams."

Offensively, Taylor is concerned about quarterback Cleveland McCoy, who earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after amassing 314 yards against FAMU and the double threat he presents.

"You've got to keep our eyes on him," he said. "He'll run draw plays, then he'll fake the run and back up and throw it. He's probably one of the better quarterbacks in this conference. The bottom line is you can't go to sleep on him. You better know where he is at all times."

Other than hoping that the SCSU bus "does not show up," Taylor joked, the key to containing McCoy and the Bulldogs' running game will be winning the battle upfront. Even with the presence of Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kendall Langford (39 tackles, two sacks) and Marcus Dixon (25 tackles, five sacks) on the defensive line, Hampton is allowing 168.8 yards per game on the ground against MEAC teams and faces an experienced SCSU offensive line with two All-MEAC first-team selections in right tackle James Lee and center Raymond "Duck" Harrison.

"When you look at the outcome of ballgames, it's really all about who controls the trenches," Taylor said. "If you look back at last year, it was such a close ball game. Both teams really played tough in the trenches. Defensively, we feel pretty good about the experience that we have this year. But I tell you, that whole offensive line, especially on the right side, and that center is probably one of the better centers if not in the conference, in this country on this level because he's a scrapper. He gets after you. So that's going to be very important. We're going to have our hands full with their o-line. Hopefully, we can make a few plays in there. That's going to be a key matchup."

When McCoy looks to the air, he will have to contend with University of South Carolina transfer cornerback Sam Pope. The former Gamecock is tied with SCSU's Markee Hamlin for the MEAC lead with four interceptions and Taylor said he has "tremendously" helped his young Pirate secondary.

"The reason he transferred was because (USC) wanted him to move inside and play safety and he felt like he's a true corner and I'm glad he had that belief because he's really made a difference for us," Taylor said. "When you lose all four starters in the secondary, certainly you're looking for some help, and he's come in and not only is he a good cover guy, he's very physical as well."

Offensively, the Pirates are ranked next to last in rushing, but counter with the MEAC's leading passer and total yards producer in quarterback T.J. Mitchell (1,542 yards, 11 Tds, 5 ints; 72 rushing yards.). His favorite targets are Jeremy Gilchrist (39 receptions for 648 yards and five Tds), Justin Brown (18 catches, 350 yards, two Tds) and Kevin Teel (18 catches, 275 yards, two Tds).

Prior to Taylor's teleconference, SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough discussed he's all but decided to redshirt BANDIT Marshall McFadden. He said the junior is still hobbled by an elbow injury suffered in Week Two against Bethune-Cookman, but it made more sense to sit him the rest of the way and have him available for a full season next year.

McFadden was a preseason MEAC first-team selection and had 12 tackles in two games.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Big-time transfers boost Hampton University football















The Pirates of Hampton University (2-0, 2-0 MEAC) are set to take on the Bears of Morgan State University (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) live on ESPNU on Thursday, September 20th at 7:30 pm. The match-up is set to take place at Armstrong Stadium on the campus of Hampton University.

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

HAMPTON - Hampton University used to reload primarily with freshman recruits. Graduating high school seniors still are the staple of the Pirates' recruiting classes, but never before have Division I-A transfers been so visible in the football program.

The Pirates' I-A transfers have their fingerprints all over the season-opening victories at Howard and North Carolina A&T. Jackie Bates, formerly a starting cornerback at Oregon, will increase that I-A influence when he debuts in the Pirates' nationally televised (ESPNU) home game Thursday against Morgan State.

The Pirates' roster includes seven I-A transfers. All of them, save Bates, have made significant contributions this season. HU coach Joe Taylor is especially happy to have them because 14 senior starters graduated from the 2006 team.

"Sometimes you need to get more maturity in the lineup when you lose more seniors," Taylor said. "But you have to be certain that a transfer is the right fit for the program.

"I'm not so sure that we recruited them as much as they recruited us. Three consecutive (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) championships, five guys in the (NFL) combine and several guys in the pros has created more visibility."

Below is an update on the I-A transfers through two games. Former colleges are listed in parentheses.

T.J. Mitchell (West Virginia): Starting QB has thrown for 520 yards and six touchdowns.

Kevin Beverly (Kent State): Starting tailback ran for 39 yards and a TD in a half at Howard, but hasn't played since because of an ankle injury and likely will miss the Morgan State game.

Jeremy Gilchrist (Virginia Tech): Starter leads HU with 14 catches, 205 receiving yards and two TD receptions.

Sam Pope (South Carolina): Starting cornerback has nine tackles, two pass breakups and a pass block.

Vaughn Mansfield (Utah State): Reserve free safety returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown at A&T.

Kevin Burke (West Virginia): Reserve defensive tackle had a tackle for a loss among his four stops at A&T.

Jackie Bates (Oregon): Hamstring pull sidelined the starting cornerback the first two games, but Taylor says he'll play Thursday.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

A&T's new QB is man with a plan

Photo: Shelton Morgan waited patiently to start for N.C. A&T. He also ran in the heat, studied film and took biology in summer school.

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News-Record

GREENSBORO -- The Wheel of Misfortune that has defined N.C. A&T's quarterback situation has stopped on Shelton Morgan, a guy who seemingly never stops. With defending MEAC champion Hampton coming to Aggie Stadium for a national TV game tonight, this would be no time to get tentative, and there doesn't seem to be much threat of that happening.

"It's exciting, because out of high school I had been waiting for this moment," said Morgan, a redshirt freshman from Elizabeth City. "It's finally here, and I'm ready for it."

When he replaced injured and perpetually star-crossed Herb Miller last week at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Morgan became the eighth man to play quarterback for A&T during its 18-game losing streak. Injuries, academics and position changes have accounted for the bulk of the turnover. The Aggies are just hoping for some stability.

As far as his routine is concerned, Morgan appears to embody the planning, permanence and professionalism that will give him a shot.

Having come from a high school where he threw an average of 25 times a game and set school passing records, Morgan waited patiently as a true freshman in 2006. He also decided to work ahead academically, which is why he attended both summer sessions this year and developed a daily schedule.

The morning was for film study, the afternoon for weightlifting and running in the heat of the day.

At 5:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday, Morgan attended a biology class, which involved a bit more than you might imagine. Summer sessions cram a regular semester's worth of work into six weeks, and science classes come with lab work as well as classroom study. Nobody got out until 9:30, at which time it was often necessary to study.

Now A&T hopes the ability to adhere to such a plan carries over to the field.

"In August," Morgan said, "my mind-set was to be ready in case anything happened. Don't let the situation sneak up on you. The most challenging thing was taking it from paper to the field. Last week was actually slower than I expected, but I know the speed of the game this week is going to be a lot different."

That's a safe bet. Hampton, which has established itself as the class of the MEAC, offers up a defense that features Page High graduate Henti Baird, a hybrid linebacker and defensive back who had a sack and six other tackles in a season-opening victory over Howard two weeks ago.

The Aggies don't really expect their quarterback to win the game for them. They have a promising collection of running backs, and they mainly need to avoid turnovers and other breakdowns. Last week, they beat Prairie View A&M in total offense and first downs, but were outscored 22-7.

After replacing Miller, Morgan completed three of eight passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions.

The beauty of the incomplete pass or the never-tossed option pitch is often underappreciated. Asked to describe his best asset, Morgan said, "Make good decisions. If it's not there, throw it away."

Not to the opponent. Maybe not even in the general direction of an Aggie. Having played wide receiver -- he had two snaps at that position against Prairie View before Miller's injury -- Morgan said he understands the importance of accuracy.

"I realize the receiver's job is harder than what people might think," he said. "When you're put in a bad situation by a quarterback, you don't appreciate it much."

Coach Lee Fobbs presumably is tired of training a new guy all the time to run the offense, but he can't look back now. Morgan is the captain of this ship until further notice.

"He's a young kid who is talented and who will play hard," Fobbs said. "He'll take care of the ball. He's ready to play. He has shown that in practice with his leadership."

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Hampton QB shows leadership

By Marty O'Brien, Daily Press

Hampton University coach Joe Taylor always urges his players to leave everything on the field during a game. Quarterback T.J. Mitchell took him at his word in the Pirates' 31-24 season-opening win on Saturday at Howard.

While running the ball during the first half, Mitchell had a chance to go out of bounds and avoid being hit. Instead, he kept going to try an get an extra yard. He got the yard, but he also got hit. So hard, in fact, that he threw up on the Greene Stadium turf after returning to the huddle.

"T.J. told his teammates to huddle around him so no one could see what was happening," Taylor said. "But he never asked to come out and he didn't miss a single play.

"That sold me on his toughness right there. He really impressed me with his leadership."

Mitchell recovered from the hit to finish the game with a flourish. He completed 6 of 9 passes in the fourth quarter — including touchdown strikes of 38, 78 and 19 yards — as the Pirates broke a 10-10 tie to pull out the victory.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, 189-pound sophomore, finished 19-of-36 passing for 310 yards to earn Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. He's the first Hampton quarterback to throw for more then 300 yards in the past 30 games.

"What I liked most about T.J. was that he was making play suggestions to the coaches," Taylor said. "That shows me he not only knows what's going on with us, but that he's aware of what's happening on the other side.

"He has a chance to be something special for us."

HU NOTES
Junior cornerback Jackie Bates missed the Howard game with a hamstring pull, while starting tailback Kevin Beverly sat out the second half with an ankle sprain. Taylor said that both might be sidelined for Saturday's game at North Carolina A&T. …

Harry Galbreath, the Pirates' offensive-line coach last season, was hired in late August as the strength and conditioning coach at Tennessee.

Galbreath left Hampton in April to become the offensive line coach at Howard, where his former Tennessee teammate Carey Bailey is now head coach.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

HU notes: Pope enjoys a block party


By David Driver, Correspondent Daily Press

WASHINGTON - Hampton cornerback Sam Pope blocked a field goal attempt by John Mendoza in the second quarter.

"There was a lot of pressure from the interior, and that broke me free. No one touched me," Pope said.

Pope also made a catch in the end zone for a near interception, but he was ruled out of bounds in the first half.

"It was a pick," said senior defensive end Kendall Langford.

CONNECTIONS

Howard played its first game under new coach Carey Bailey, a former defensive line coach at the University of Minnesota. He also made stops at Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana Lafayette and VMI.

Hampton coach Taylor, in his 16th season, was a Howard assistant in 1982 and the Bison head coach in 1983. Former Redskins defensive back Barry Wilburn is in his first season as a defensive secondary coach for Howard. He played for the Redskins from 1985-91, and was an All-Pro in 1987 when he led the league in interceptions.

HEAT IS ON

Hampton senior Qutrell Payton was taken to a local hospital for dehydration during the second quarter, according to coach Joe Taylor.

EXTRA POINTS

On a clear, dry day, players from both teams slipped several times on Howard's artificial grass field. ... Hampton has now won 11 openers in a row in the conference. ...Jahmal Blanchard of Hampton averaged 53 yards on five punts.

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Attendance for the game was 7,035.