ONE AND DONE FOR HOLMES:

Lonza Hardy Jr., director of athletics at Hampton University, has terminated the employment of head football coach Jerry Holmes, effective February 27, 2009 and named Donovan Rose, an 18-year veteran of the coaching staff, as his replacement.

"Unfortunately, we were not on one accord as it related to the future direction of the football program," said Hardy of Holmes' dismissal. "I felt a dire need to have a head football coach whose commitment, loyalty and devotion to Hampton University were without question." Holmes finished 6-5 overall, 5-3 in MEAC play in his first year after replacing successful 15-year veteran Hampton head coach Joe Taylor last season. Holmes had been defensive coordinator under Taylor for three seasons.

Rose served as the Pirates' defensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 2008. Previously, he was the team's defensive backs coach. A 1979 graduate of Hampton, Rose was an all-CIAA performer who was named the conference's defensive player of the year during his senior season in 1978.

Following his college career, Rose signed with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and also played in the Canadian Football League, earning a championship ring when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers won the Grey Cup in 1984. Later, as a member of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, Rose led the team in interceptions before retiring in 1988.

"With the tradition, the family atmosphere and the roots that I have here at Hampton University, I definitely consider this a great opportunity for me to be named head coach," said Rose. "Hampton has always been known for its academics and for its athletic achievements. With hard work and determination, and with having the players and coaches on one accord, we can make Hampton a force to be reckoned with again."

COCHRAN IN AT LINCOLN:

Lincoln University (M0.) has announced the hiring of Nathan Cochran as head football coach for the Blue Tigers. He is the fourth head coach since the program was revived in 1999. He succeeds Lemar Parrish and becomes the first hire of new athletics director Paula Jackson. Parrish's 2008 team finished 1-8.

Cochran most recently served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. During the 2007 season, Cochran's offense broke over 30 team and individual school records, achieving a ranking of 9th in the country for NCAA Division III rushing.

Cochran coached two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, first as the defensive line coach in 2004 and then as the running backs coach in 2005. Prior to that, he was the offensive line and running back coach at Allen University. He started his career as a high school coach in Greenville, South Carolina. Cochran spent part of the summer of 2007 as an intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the NFL Minority Internship Program.

Cochran has a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from South Carolina State.

GOSIER IS NEW FVSU AD:

Wilson Gosier, a long time member of the athletics community and a graduate of Fort Valley State has been named director of athletics at FVSU. He will assume the duties of the office immediately.

As an administrator, Gosier formerly served as associate dean of students at FVSU in the 1970s and brings over 30 years of experience to the position. He recently served as director of football operations.

A former Wildcat student-athlete who lettered in three sports during the 1960s, Gosier is also in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Hall of Fame. He is also a retired game official in basketball and football on the collegiate and professional levels. He is an avid golfer and has been featured in several golfing publications for his efforts in expanding knowledge of the game.

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