Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 20, 2007 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Neal said there had been rumors of Thomas’ firing going around the Alcorn campus before the Jackson State loss."

Yeah right, man please! When Alcorn lost to J-State, the animosity toward Thomas rose to about 600 degrees!!! LOL!!! Alcorn could have lost to anyone else, as they HAVE DONE, and it would not have been as bad. But to lose the Capital City Classic, man, I knew he was gone!

Posted by jaylan (anonymous) on November 20, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you haven't done anything to help improve your school's football program, then isn't much for you to say in this matter. People were calling for Coach Thomas head because of personal reasons. If your coaches aren't able to get out and recruit the caliber of athletes it will take to win a championship. How do you expect him to be successful? You have to be able to compete with the teams in your conference on every level(financially, facilities, cafeteria, dormitories and so on). I hope the next coach gets every chance to be successful but it want happen with the same leadership or lack thereof in place!!!!!!!

Posted by sideline (anonymous) on November 20, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Firing this guy was the best thing to happen to Alcorn in a long time. Time now for him to go back to the classroom since he's a Dr. and not coach. He should have been gone before he got started. Six winning seasons my eye. Capital City Classic didn't get him run off, PVSU did. Maybe now these kids from Ntz/Fayette can get recruited. Don't feel sorry for this guy. He should have been fired the night Bristow died.

Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on November 20, 2007 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have noticed that Alcorn hardly ever recruited anybody from the area schools, let alone much in the state. Mississippi State and Ole Miss dont have that problem. About a third of Mississippi State's roster are kids from the home team, so to speak. Come to think of it, the last time I checked, I had only seen one Natchez player on the roster and like two or three from Jefferson County and the surrounding cities. I agree that they do need to expand the recruiting to more area schools. If you think about it, a lot of the students actually wouldn't mind playing for Alcorn. All Alcorn had to do was merely give them a chance, of course. Anybody correct me if Im wrong here, but I cant see how the recruiters would rather go out to Alabama, Texas, Florida and even up north just to get players when there is a lot of good talented quality players right next door. Last time I checked, it was Franklin County, Jefferson County and Natchez that had WINNING RECORDS and were bringing up WINNING KIDS in WINNING PROGRAMS. Hell, we all read about them in the papers and also sat at in the stands watching them play the past few years. Am I right or what? So on that note: Firing him? Hey, it happens. Coaches come and go. Is the coach the problem. Some cases yes, some no. Look at our three schools. All had winning records this year. They all had new coaching staffs as well. So I have no yay or nay feelings on whether he should have stayed or not. I dont know the guy. I just know hes been there a while. I also know that they NEVER really saw our area schools as much to draw fresh blood from. Its obvious in the yearly recruiting classes. If you ask me, the whole school has issues if thats the case. Recruiting does cost money. Where is it going if its not contributing to the athletic programs? Like Avant, these are just My Thoughts.

Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on November 20, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

30% of Alcorn's roster is from Mississippi this year. Big improvement. Cant complain compared to previous years.

Posted by JB (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 4:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Teach4Peace, you don't know what was going on around Alcorn. I heard the rumblings about fire JT the week after we lost to Alabama State in September. AND I LIVE ALL THE WAY IN ATLANTA!!!! The rumblings were always there. They've been there since the 0-11 season. The only change was that Bristow, may he rest in peace, was not around to stop the rumblings as they got louder and louder.
Why else would you think that he signed that one year deal? The rumblings were constant. It's a well known fact that we have been unhappy with Thomas going back to that 2000 season. He was kept on a short leash by alumni. This season was about all that we could stand. After that Alabama State loss and seeing the team continue it's poor play, it was a done deal.
You can fool yourself and think that after Thomas lost to JSU that the decision was to fire him. However, most of the Alcorn fans, alumni, and supporters know the real truth. It's been a long time coming and it's finally here.

Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The loss was not the only reason, but like one of your own stated, it certainly didn't help matters and it was the final nail in the coffin. I am pretty sure rumors of his demise were floating around, before our game, but I digress on this issue.

TRON601, very solid points on recruiting. So much of how the program runs, moves off recruiting. South Pike, Panola, etc, have very talented high school athletes. I don't think our Mississippi SWAC schools, not just Alcorn, have presented much to a solid athlete, straight from high school, who has the NFL on his mind. Ole Miss and M-State, don't have the recruiting issues we do, I feel do in part, that is a major factor in them "attracting" those athletes.

Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with TRON601, there does seem to be very little recruting from our area schools. I know of two young men from SMALL area schools that have gone on to the pros, helping to bring further recognition to Alcorn's football program-- Steve McNair from Mt. Olive, MS and Louis Green from Fayette, MS. I am sure that other area schools have produced pro players as well, but these two come to mind right away. I'm not saying that the coach should have or should not have been fired because he does not play the game, but I agree with TRON601 that he may have chosen the wrong caliber of players.

Posted by mbrown (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

teach4peace are a BRAVE OR baby tiger? YOU SOUND LIKE A PURPLE & GOLD :)

have a wonderful thanksgiving:)

1#brave fan in Jackson:)

Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, please, don't get me twisted, I made the choice of choices! I bleed blue and white! I am a Jackson State University Tiger! RRRRROOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

Posted by mbrown (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cool Teach4peace, you are a hater baby tiger:)

1# Brave Fan in Jackson :) KISS KISS

Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 21, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You asked me that question, just to have an unintelligent reply such as that? And you call me a hater? Please. Seems to me that you're the one seething with hate. I'll be the bigger person, have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my Tiger friends and I are certainly going to do so. Peace out!

Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on November 23, 2007 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am soooooooooooo glad he is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by OKBraveFan (anonymous) on November 26, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It was the right call to finally get some fresh blood into a program that have suffered miserably over the last 10 years with poor coaching. True enough he had a few years of winning, however the 0-11 season in 2000 was not only an embarassment to the students and administration, but to the alumni of Alcorn State University. It is not rocket science the best football players in the United States hail from Mississippi, I have lived in a number of different states outside of Mississippi and watch high school football and even played high school; but there is no other state in United States that has the best football players than MS not TX, nor FL or CA they just have more players because of there state population and for his staff not to recruit players statewide first is plain silly. Look at the years when Marino Casem coached or Steve McNair was in school the team rosters was dominated by Mississippi players that Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Miss did not want. It was time for change I hope that the next coaching staff understand that they need to build a fence around the state of MS then you recruit outwards that is why a school like Mississippi State has gotten better. It takes pride to turn around a program no one knows that better than the kids living in the state where that program is suffering. Good luck, next year Go Braves!

Posted by mbrown (anonymous) on November 26, 2007 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Teach4peach are you OK? UNINTELLIGENT wow!!!!! Hey, JState have a sport section too, Why don't you join them.

Hey good luck TIGERS on DEC. 15th.

I will be there:)

1# fan Brave in Jackson

Posted by ATL_ALUMNI (anonymous) on November 28, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Teach4Peace, please let Alcornites deal with Alcorn issues and you and the rest of the tiny tigers deal with issues surrounding JSU and your trouble led players at J_Stank. You can rest assure that we can handle our own affairs.

We seem to understand that you think that JSU is on top BUT I guess you didn't see or couldn't read the US report ranking 2008. As always when it comes to the books you all will NEVER will out rank us! Why so far in the ranks JSU? Way to go ASU. We 're in the top 25!

21. Alcorn State University (MS) *
45 3.3 70%8 45% 43% 6% 16/1 95% 183 N/A 59% 4%
22. Clark Atlanta University
43 3.7 70% 34%6 33% 5% 16/1 90% 700-1160 N/A 49% 5%
22. Oakwood College (AL)
43 3.0 70% 45%6 55% 2% 13/1 81% 770-10303 31% 50% N/A
22. South Carolina State University *
43 3.2 69% 47%6 37% 2% 16/1 92% 750-928 29% 79% 9%
22. University of Maryland—Eastern Shore *
43 3.4 66% 41% 49% 4% 18/1 83% 710-920 N/A 79% 8%
26. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University *
42 3.7 69% 34%6 44% 7% 14/1 93% 16-203 N/A 43% N/A
26. Albany State University (GA) *
42 3.3 79% 43%6 44% 3% 19/1 80% 850-10003 N/A N/A N/A
26. Delaware State University *
42 3.4 66% 35% 52% 4% 22/1 76% 740-920 17% 64% 2%
26. Jackson State University (MS) *
42 3.7 72% 38%6 36% 3% 19/1 90% 16-20

Posted by Alumnimom (anonymous) on November 29, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I think the time had finally come for Dr. (Coach) Thomas to hang up his coaching saddle. My son was a walk-on and made the team. There were seasons when the team was suppose to at least reach the SWAC Championship game, but because of poor coaching decisions that did not happen. Also, why don't we hear about a lot of athletes from Alcorn who turn pro? The only names we know in the NFL is Steve McNair and Donald Driver. Although there were a few more that have retired by now. Anyway, the coaches don't care enough about those young men who sacrifice their personal time and time for class studies to play football. There is no Senior Day, no Pro Day or anything for the atheletics to move forward if that is their desire. When I sit down and watch college football on Saturday's and witness the fans in the stands, I start to feel pretty bad, because that is not what I see or saw at a lot of the games that I attended. We need to get personnel (Coaches) in that don't just care of about their winning season, but also care if these young men succeed in their future endeavors. If their desire is to move to the next level, then help them get there!!!!

Posted by jaylan (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's easy for people to make comments about the football program. When HBCU coach walks into a South Panola, he gets the 5'11 250lb. lineman presented to him instead of the Chris Strongs and Tig Barksdales. Kids are being brainwashed(some by their parents)that the bigger universities(Ole Miss,USM,MSU)are their best bet. And what you fans fell to realize everybody can't play on this level. When a kid has his mind set on going "BIG TIME," what can you do to change his mind? Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Valley don't have the pockets to compete at all with what really goes on in recruiting(payoffs). If a kid comes to Alcorn for a recruiting visit and then turn around and go to Jackson State just on facilities along we lose out. There is no committment to improving this gap. Administration has done nothing to help the football program. Coaches pay for their own recruiting. You can hire the best coach in the country, but if you don't get the COMMITTMENT from the ADMINISTRATION(I CAN'T EXPRESS THIS ENOUGH)YOU WILL GET THE SAME RESULTS...

Posted by Topdawg42 (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's about time... Plenty of Talent have been flowing in and out of ASU in recent years but the disappointments haven't stopped... so When it's all said and done, it comes down to the coaches. Look at J state. They booted their losing coach for a top caliber head coach and BAM... they are playing for the SWAC championship. Turned the program around almost instantly. And ASU really should look into recruiting locally more than they do. They do try though( Kris Williams-JC 06,Timothy Lewis-JC-06,Edward Johnson-NTZ-07,and they made a run at Jason Bruce) But Those aren't even a hand full of the players that they could have been after locally. Look at the talent oozing out of FC, JC, NTZ, PG, Trinity, Vicksburg, and those are just the surrounding areas... I'm not even going to get into the state wide issue. MS is the king pin of football...check the track record (Jerry Rice, Bret Favre, Walter Payton, Steve Mcnair, and many many more) and Three of those players came from SWAC schools. Any way, Change is good, and who knows...this may be the first step towards that change for the better that ASU has been waiting on.

Posted by jaylan (anonymous) on December 5, 2007 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jackson State turn around can be linked to transfers. Once again transfers look at the FACILITIES, DORMITORIES which many don't stay in because they have the option of getting an apartment that is close to campus. Location plays a big part in getting recruits and players to transfer.