Totten's The Man at Mississippi Valley

ITTA BENA, MS - The verdict is officially in and Willie Horace Totten is the new man at "The Valley."

Athletics Director Lonza Hardy Jr. has tabbed Totten as the new head football coach of the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. Totten becomes the 14th head coach in the school's 48 years on the gridiron. His appointment is contingent upon approval by the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Totten is no stranger to the MVSU football program, having set over 50 NCAA passing records as an All-American quarterback for the Delta Devils during the 1980's. For the past two seasons, Totten, 39, served as offensive coordinator for the Delta Devils, re-joining the MVSU coaching staff after serving two seasons as the head football coach and athletics director at Eastside High School in Cleveland, MS.

Before going to the high school ranks, the four-time All-SWAC selection was an assistant football coach at MVSU under Larry Dorsey. Totten worked as the school's head men's and women's tennis coach from 1996-98. From 1988-89, he worked as a graduate assistant under Grambling State University's legendary Eddie Robinson. Totten received his Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from GSU in 1989.

The record-setting Totten helped MVSU to a 28-11-1 record as the captain of "The Satellite Express" offense. Future National Football League Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was Totten's top receiver under then Delta Devil head coach Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley's pass- happy offense. Rice and Totten's pass-catch combination set 75 NCAA records, including Totten's amazing feat of nine passing touchdowns in one game. For their collegiate exploits, the former Magnolia Stadium - home of the Delta Devils - was renamed Rice-Totten Stadium in the spring of 1999.

THE WILLIE TOTTEN FILE

Personal
Full Name: Willie Horace Totten
Born: July 4, 1962
Birthplace: Greenwood, MS
Hometown: Minter City, MS
Wife: The former Phaedra Y. Brown
Children: Josta and Trasity

Named Mississippi Valley State University's Head Coach, December 21, 2001

Previous Coaching Experience
1999-2001    Misssissippi Valley State University (Offens ive Coordinator)
1998-1999    Eastside High School, Cleveland, MS (Head Fo otball Coach)
1996-1998    Mississippi Valley State University (Offensi ve Coordinator)
1990-1996    Mississippi Vallley State University (Assistant Football Coach)
1988-1989    Grambling State University (Graduate Assistant)
1986-1987    Westwood High School, Memphis, TN (Assistant)    

Playing Experience
Professional:  Pittsburgh Gladiators (1988), Toronto Argunauts (198= 7), NFL Buffalo Bills (1987), and British Columbia Lions (1986)
College: Four-year letterwinner as a quarterback at Mississippi Valley S= tate University (1982-1985)

Education
College:  Master of Science in Sports Administration, Grambling Sta= te University 1989)
Bachelor of Science in Health Physical Education and Recreation, Mississ ippi Valley State University (1987)

High School:    J. Z. George High School, North Carrollto= n, MS (1981)
Memberships:    American Football Coaches Association (AFCA),
Mississippi High School Athletic Association, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, Phi Beta Sigma  Fraternity, Incorporated.

What Others Are Saying About Willie Totten

"Mississippi Valley State University is fortunate to have a man of such high morals and character as Willie Totten taking over the reigns as our new head football coach. Immediately, the stature of our football program has been elevated and the bar of expectations has been raised.
Willie's hard-work ethic, dynamic personality and outstanding people skills will surely make him the next great head football coach in the state, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the nation. I'm happy today and all of our alumni, friends and supporters must surely be happy too."

Lonza Hardy Jr., Mississippi Valley State University Director of Athletics

"Willie shares my philosophy of hard work and discipline, the two keys to any successful sports program. He possesses a positive attitude and a genuine concern for the overall welfare of student-athletes both on and off the field. I could never emphasize enough what a tremendous asset he'll be to the Mississippi Valley athletic program. I'm confident he'll turn the Delta Devils into a premier program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference."

Marino H. Casem, Director of Athletics, Alcorn State University

"I have known Willie for several years as a player and coach. As head coach at Morehouse College, I tried to hire him as the offensive coordinator. Since that time, I have watched Willie grow as a coach and have followed his career closely. I know he'll bring instant
credibility and success to the Mississippi Valley State University football program."

Doug Williams, Head Football Coach, Grambling State University

"Coach Totten was on staff for two years, 1998-2000, at Eastside High School with many different teaching and coaching assignments. As principal, I appointed Willie to the position of athletics director and head football coach. During his tenure, I found that Willie is definitely a good character model for young adults to work with, whether in high school or college. He literally rebuilt the football program at Eastside and I guarantee he'll do the same for Mississippi Valley."

George Jordan, Principal, McComb High School

"I have known Willie for over 20 years. I was fortunate enough to have played and attended college with him. As teammates I was able to see first hand his athletic abilities. He was a team player and was able to channel his energy positively on and off the field. I am sure Mississippi Valley's football team, athletics department, fans, and alumni will be more than satisfied with his performance as head coach of our alma mater."

Jerry Rice, All-Pro and Four-Time Super Bowl Champion
.

Front Page

Newsroom Index