|
|
UNDER THE BANNER What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
ST. AUG'S NAMES COACH: Just before press time Tuesday, St. Augustine's named Elizabeth City State assistant Michael Costa as the head coach of its new football program. Costa, a Norfolk State graduate, has been defensive coordinator at ECSU since 1998. He was head coach at Cheyney University from 1985-90.
© 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.
|
JOHNSON
IN AT THE 'STONE': George Johnson, defensive coordinator at Tuskegee
University, has accepted the position as head coach of Livingstone College's
football team. Johnson should begin work Jan. 7. Johnson, a graduate of Alabama
A&M University, was defensive coordinator at Tuskegee for the past six
years. Johnson helped lead TU's Golden Tigers to three Southern Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference titles. In 2000 the Golden Tigers were 12-0 and crowned
Black College National Champions. The Golden Tigers also won two of the last three
Pioneer Bowls in which they competed. Johnson also served as offensive line coach
and offensive coordinator at Atlanta's Morris Brown College and was head
coach at Webber High School in Chicago, Ill. "He seems to be well organized
and well versed in the coaching arena," said Livingstone Athletic Coordinator,
Clinton Huff. "The thing that impressed the search committee is Coach
Johnson's strong emphasis on education. He seems to have the player's academic
agenda in order from the time they walk on as freshmen until they walk out - from
study hall to tutoring. His number one goal is to graduate all his student athletes
and be competitive."
HOWARD
ENDS WILSON ERA: A week after South Carolina State filled one black
college coaching vacancy, Howard University created another when the school
decided not to renew the contract of 13-year head football coach Steve Wilson.
Wilson's tenure ends after a 2-9 record this season, 1-7 in the Mid Eastern
Athletic Conference. It was Howard's third consecutive losing mark. A former
Howard player, Wilson had a 10-year career in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys
and Denver Broncos, before taking over the program in 1989. He has posted a 78-67
overall record but his Bison have struggled to a 10-23 mark over the last three
years including some embarrassing blowout losses this season. Wilson was named
MEAC coach of the year in his first season and later won two Black National Championships
in four seasons. Howard Athletic Director Sondra Norrell-Thomas said. "We
have great respect for the manner in which he conducted himself on and off the
field." The school will begin its search for a new coach, and Norrell-Thomas
expects to name an interim coach in the next week. The status of Wilson's staff
was unknown.