Looking forward

• Boldly limping where no . . .
  Florida A&M appears headed towards Div. I football with much less than a head of steam.

  Rattler Div. I transfer quarterbacks Willie Simmons (Clemson) and Josh Driscoll (Arkansas State), expected to be the latest in a line of successful transfer QBs at FAMU, were declared ineligible by the NCAA because of the school's move to Div. I. Had FAMU remained in I-AA, all five would have been eligible.

  Simmons, facing his final year of eligibility, is reportedly pondering a move back to I-AA with The Citadel. Driscoll and transfer wide receiver Ronnie Thomas (Clemson), who both have eligibility remaining, are reportedly undecided about their plans.

• Two much
  The two best quarterbacks in black college football could be at the helm of the two best teams.

  Diminutive (5-10, 186) Allen Suber of defending MEAC champ Bethune-Cookman and hefty (6-1, 260) Bruce Eugene of three-time SWAC champ Grambling are contrasts in size and style, but not substance.

  Suber runs B-CC's WyattBone attack to perfection blending his elusiveness with a deft passing touch. Eugene commands GSU's wide-open attack that features his strong arm with nimbleness on his feet.

  If they stay healthy, they could battle for player of the year honors in black college football and on the national scene.

• Without the L
  After a six-month investigation that school officials say uncovered a number of NCAA violations, Alabama State last week suspended head football coach L. C. Cole and replaced him with former University of Memphis assistant Charles Coe. The move is thought to be a prelude to Cole's firing. Suits (the legal kind) are reportedly flying around, one from Cole and another from players that support him.
  
  
• The Fresh Dozen
  Make room for these new grid coaches. Their predecessors are in parentheses.
  MEAC
  George Small - N. C. A&T (Bill Hayes)
  Willie Gillus - Norfolk State (Mo Forte)
  SWAC
  Charles Coe - Alabama State (L. C. Cole)
  James Bell - Jackson State (Robert Hughes)
  C. L. Whittington - Prairie View (Larry Dorsey)
  CIAA
  Rod Broadway - N. C. Central (Rudy Abrams)
  Waverly Tillar - Elizabeth City St. (John Wright)
  Deondri Clark (interim) - Shaw(Greg Ruffin)
  SIAC
  John Morgan - Fort Valley St. (Kent Schoolfield)
  John Hendrick - Benedict (Tony Felder)
  Lane - Darrin Hayes (Miles Brannon)
  INDEPENDENTS
  Allen - Sherman Simmons (Robert Hemby)

© 2003 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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