Saint Augustine's College Names Head Football Coach

Raleigh, NC-Plans to reinstate football are moving swiftly as Saint Augustine's College announced its selection for Head Football Coach during a news conference, December 18.

Michael Costa

Michael E. Costa, former Defensive Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, was named the first Head Football Coach at Saint Augustine's since the school discontinued its football program in 1967.

Costa intends to put a very spiritual, disciplined and competitive football team on the field by next fall. And he emphasizes that his team will be student athletes.

"I thank Dr. Suber for her vision in bringing football back to Saint Augustine's," Costa said. "We are going to start out as a little house and turn into a mansion."

Costa said there already has been much interest from students currently on the campus. Sixty-five have signed up to tryout for the team. Winter conditioning will begin when classes start in January.

"Football is a tough, demanding sport and the CIAA is a strong and competitive conference. We want to be able to contribute to help the CIAA grow," Costa said.

Jeffrey McLeod, assistant to the CIAA commissioner, represented the conference, which has been extremely supportive of the college's plans to field a football program. "This is an exciting day for CIAA football," McLeod said. " [Saint Augustine's College] opened the door for bringing back football, now all 12 of our schools will be playing football in 2002."

Neighboring Shaw University and St. Paul's College in Virginia have also decided to put together football programs.

Saint Augustine's will play a 6-game schedule in 2002 and a full 11-game schedule the following years. Costa comes to Saint Augustine's College with an outstanding record in recruiting, training and motivating student athletes. He is committed to high quality education, the professional growth and development of students. Costa brings to the college extensive experience as a college and high school football coach, and teacher. Two of his former players are currently in the NFL.

This is Costa's second opportunity as a Head Football Coach. He previously served as Head Football Coach at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (1985-90). Coach Costa's career began as a High School Coach in Wilmington Delaware, where he served as an assistant coach for football and basketball, and Head Track Coach. At the collegiate level from 1990-92, he served as defensive coordinator at Virginia Union University. Then, at Hampton University (1992-96), he held the positions of defensive coordinator, administrative assistant, and secondary coach. Also during his tenure at Virginia Union and Hampton he served as Head Track Coach.

In 1998, Costa moved to Elizabeth City State University where he was the secondary coach/defensive coordinator until 2001. In 1997-98 he had the opportunity to coach in Florida at Miami Central High School where he served as defensive coordinator.

Graduating from Norfolk State University, Costa received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education, a Master of Education degree in Health and Physical Education from West Chester State University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Costa and his wife, Cassondra, are the proud parents of two children, Michael III and Alyse Nicole.

Athletic Director and Head Track Coach George Williams is very optimistic about the future. "We are moving forward with our athletic program. We will have one of the best teams in the Division II. We are excited and are asking for you to support and guide us as we bring something needed to the Southeast Raleigh community."

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