Alcorn State fires football coach

Published 4:55 pm Friday, February 24, 2012

LORMAN (AP) — Alcorn State football coach Melvin Spears has been fired after just one season on the job.

Spears led the Braves to a 2-8 record last fall, including an embarrassing 51-7 loss to rival Jackson State in the season finale. Spears was placed on administrative leave shortly after the season ended, but an official announcement wasn’t made until Friday.

Defensive line coach Todd McDaniel will serve as the interim coach, according to university spokeswoman LaToya Shields.

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Alcorn State also announced that Patric Simon has been hired as the new athletic director. Simon previously held the same position at Langston (Okla.) University.