BCSP Notes . . .
Gillus, Moss out at Norfolk St.
Norfolk State head football coach Willie
Gillus has been fired and Athletic Director
Orby Moss has been reassigned in a controversial athletic
department shake-up.
NSU President Dr. Marie V.
McDemmond, who announced the moves at a press
conference last week, cited alleged NCAA recruiting
violations as the reason for Gillus's termination. Moss, who was
also present at the press conference, said the violations came to light during exit interviews
with players after the season.
Gillus, the former Spartan quarterback who has posted a 2-19 record in two years leading the Spartans' gridiron fortunes including a 1-8 mark in the 2004 season, said in a newspaper report that no violations had occurred during his two-year tenure and said his firing was the result of a "witch hunt" conducted by Moss aimed at freeing up his $95,000-a-year salary. McDemmond, who said she was "furious" at the alleged violations, said Gillus would not have been fired based on his on-field record. The alleged violations, which include inducements, summer training and days off for recruits or players, have been reported to the NCAA, McDemmond said.
Because Gillus is being fired "with cause" the university will not have to pay the final two years of his contract. Gillus said his attorney is filing "several lawsuits" for wrongful termination.
McDemmond said Moss asked to be replaced and will take a position as special assistant to the president related to athletic funding issues and scholarships. Moss, a 26-year veteran of athletic administration, has been athletic director at NSU since 1999 and also had stints at Georgia State, North Carolina A&T and the University of the District of Columbia.
Moss said while the NSU athletic program has done relatively well, football had continued to be a problem. The Spartans have not had a winning season on the gridiron since gaining NCAA Div. I-AA status eight years ago and will be getting their fourth coach in that period.
" I figure if I remove myself from the issue and let someone else tackle it, maybe I can help out by looking at things from a different angle," he said. Longtime NSU baseball coach and Spartan alum Marty Miller has been named the interim athletic director and will be responsible for hiring the new football coach
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.