BCSP X-20: BCSP Notes

BCSP Notes . . .

Wallace Jackson Update
Former Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner Wallace Jackson, the driving force behind the creation of the Pioneer Bowl, is alive and relatively well in Atlanta.

Two years ago while working as a substitute teacher in Atlanta, Jackson suffered a stroke which has rendered him unable to speak or swallow. His sister, Louise Jackson-Williams, who moved back to Atlanta to care for him, says notwithstanding his ailments, Jackson is active, reading newspapers, keeping up with his alma mater the University of Georgia and happenings with his beloved Pioneer Bowl.

"He even had on his Pioneer Bowl hat when he visited the doctor the other day," Williams told Atlanta columnist Hal Lamar last week.

She said what Jackson really longs for most is hearing from his old friends. Although he cannot respond verbally (he uses his touch-tone phone to communicate), he would love to receive cards, wellers and other expressions of support.

You can write to Wallace Jackson at: 312 Green Haven Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30317 or call him at 404-377-9895 or 404-377-1130.

Hearing from his friends would just make his day," says his sister.

Grid Coaching Vacancies
There are now three black college football coaching vacancies after Prairie View announced their new coach this week (See, UNDER THE BANNER).

In the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference, the only vacancy currently is at Delaware State where Ben Blacknall was let go after seven games with his Hornets winless at 0-7.

Butch Posey finished out the disappointing 1-10 season for DSU going 1-3 as interim head coach. Posey is reportedly not among three finalists who completed interviews last week.

DSU Athletic Director, Dr. Hallie Gregory confirmed late last week that the school interview longtime NFL and Div. I assistant Al Lavon and former Morehouse head coach and Tuskegee grad Frank Hickson last week. Gregory did not give the name of the third person interviewed.

A source close to DSU says the school is in deep discussions with a successor and should have an announcement before the school breaks for the holidays on Dec. 23.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Athletic Director, Craig Curry, was still getting resumes as late as Thursday in his effort to replace Lee Hardman who resigned after the Golden Lions finished 4-7 this season. Hardman had coached the Golden Lion for 10 seasons compiling a 57-42 mark.

Curry said he has a strong crew of more than 40 who have applied and he hopes to narrow it down to a short list and get with the chancellor to make a decision in the first week of 2004. He said his first priority is somebody with head coaching experience. After that he'll look for an experienced coordinator and then for an assistant at a solid program.

Grambling State Offensive Coordinator Melvin Spears is among those in the running.

Texas Southern is trying to replace Bill Thomas who led the Tigers to a 5-6 overall finish and third place in the SWAC West before resigning at the end of the season. Efforts to reach TSU Athletic Director Alois Blackwell were unsuccessful.

Former Howard head coach Steve Wilson, now defensive coordinator at Bowie State, has reportedly applied for the Texas Southern job but may be in line to replace Bowie State head man Henry Frazier, who was named Monday as the new coach at Prairie View.

Back at Langston
Greg Johnson is back as the new head football coach at Langston University. Johnson will replace Harold Johnson who was fired early in December after two successive 2-8 seasons.

The new coach is very familiar with the school having served as head coach for six seasons from 1991-96 compiling a 35-30 record. He left to take the head coaching position at Prairie View and has been the defensive coordinator at Jackson State for the last two seasons.

A native of Oklahoma, Johnson's 1994 team reached the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs. He will now lead the program's transition to NCAA Division II and possible membership in the SIAC.