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Alcorn State fires assistant football coaches
Published Tuesday, December 2, 2008
LORMAN — Alcorn State University has fired seven of its nine assistant football coaches, and the head coach said the move was made without his knowledge.
Alcorn State head coach Ernest T. Jones said he was watching television at his home on Thanksgiving Day when he saw a report on the news that his coaches had been fired.
Jones said he was never notified the firings would occur.
“I got a message from (Athletic Director Darren) Hamilton that said, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, I’m on vacation and we’ll chat Friday.’ We never chatted Friday,” Jones said.
Jones said he did not plan to fire anyone and has received no explanation from Hamilton or the university.
Alcorn State Sports Information Director LaToya Shields confirmed Monday night that assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Earnest Collins Jr., offensive coordinator Dino Dawson, running backs coach Terrance Robinson, special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Zach Shay, secondary coach Jack Phillips, defensive line coach Keith Majors and strength and conditioning coach Lorenzo Guess would not have their contracts renewed.
Only offensive line coach Adam Shorter and wide receivers coach Michael Armour were retained by the university, Sheilds said.
Jones has hired two lawyers, Wayne Ferrell, of Jackson, and Ricky Lefft, of Columbia, S.C., to decide what his next move should be.
Lefft said no explanation has been been given for the firings.
“The athletic director met with the coach and Mr. Ferrell today, and they specifically asked why it had been done,” Lefft said. “The athletic director’s position was that he didn’t have to provide an explanation.”
Ferrell said there are grounds for a legal case.
“We would certainly think so,” Ferrell said. “When you terminate the entire staff, it constructively interferes with (Jones’) contract and his ability to perform his job.”
Now Jones’ job has been unfairly compromised, Lefft said.
“Coach’s contract obligates him to perform the duties of a head coach,” he said. “In order to do that, you have to have assistant coaches.”
Jones handpicked all nine of his assistant coaches. The hires were made months before Hamilton had been hired as the athletic director.
Several calls to Hamilton and to Alcorn State University President George Ross were not returned.
Ferrell said as of now, Jones and the lawyers are discussing options but have not decided what to do next.
“We haven’t really made a final decision,” Ferrell said. “It’s safe to say we’re going to do what’s best for coach Jones and for the Alcorn State football program.”
Jones said he is upset about the situation.
He has spoken to his coaches and is still unsure of what happened.
“They’re in shock just as I am,” he said. “It’s not good to be sitting at home on Thanksgiving Day watching the news and see something like that, and you don’t know anything about it.”
Comments
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's about time!
Posted by fightingthebattle (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jones should be glad he wasn't fired himself!!!!
All the talent the Braves had and to have a disappointing season as such, it was totally ridiculous!
Jones, howow could you lose Homecoming, the way you we did to Prairie View, to Southern, and to Jackson State and expect to have the same coaching staff return?
Posted by dog8 (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GodsChild that's not the point.
How can the university fire assistant coaches without having any dialogue with the head coach?
This whole thing makes the leadership at Alcorn look real bad. If you were that unhappy with the performance of the coaches; fire everybody, including the head coach. How motivated is the head coach going to be after this fiasco.
With Jones hiring his lawyers, this isn't the end of the story. I would be very surprised if he returned next year. Braves, be happy if you win any games next year. Everytime you make a coaching change, you set your program back. You have to do the proper due diligence in the selection process and give the guy a chance to build a program.
What do I care, I am a JSU fan anyway :)
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go again! Echoes of last year! Mr. Johnny was fired last year, now just about everyone in the football coaching staff has been fired and they ALL have ONE thing in common, losing the Capital City Classic to JSU.
Jones proved one thing, he can talk loud, but say nothing.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wise words dog8
A poster under an article about this story on ClarionLedger.com states there were reports of stealing money, etc., which led to the firings.
Posted by jaquan32 (anonymous) on December 1, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that Jones may have made some mistakes, and I also think that his coaches may have made some mistakes. The record speaks for itself. Yet, I just cannot see firing the entire staff without notifying the Head Coach first. If there were some internal issues, I think that the University should disclose them. Otherwise it makes the entire University leadership look bad. If the coaches were fired based on this years record along, it is still not justifiable. This is an unprecedented move by the Athletic Director. Although I wasn't 100% behind Jones hiring in the beginning. If you give the guy a job, give him a chance to prove himself. Now, the question is now is how is Alcorn going to be able to hire a quality coach now. Who will want to come to Alcorn and coach when they have no control over there program. Please, this is an outrage. There are many questions that need to be answered and answered fast.
Posted by swac4life (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ACEDOG that is such a stupid response, all of a sudden Steve is behind this and his brother will take over. So let me get this straight, Steve calls the AD, I want the staff fired and my brother to be the next coach. I have money and I'm going to tell you what to do. That is the most none thought out statement that a person could make.
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if they can fire Sammy West (a good man) they can fire anyone.
The wheels are off at Alcorn...it is pitiful.
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't Mississippi falls under Labor Laws regarding "a right to work state" which indicates an employer may release an employee at any time for no reason at all and as long as the termination does not violates Title VII of Civil Rights Laws?
Posted by coacht (T.BOB KIRK) on December 2, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THAT AD IS GOT TO BE A DUMB_ _ _. HE JUST OPENED UP A BIG LAWSUIT UNLESS HE HAS JUST CAUSE TO FIRE THEM.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I worked for Alcorn for 10 years, and also contributed unpaid time and effort in providing athletic programs for Alcorn. I, and Alcorn students, renovated a forgotten and delapidated wrestling room into a nice martial arts studio and developed a self-defense and martial arts club and classes for the athletic program. Then the next semester without any warning, the program was handed over to some other less qualified instructor without any discussion with me. Totally disrespectful and despicable behavior on Alcorn's behalf. This is exactly what is going on with these coaches. Totally shameful behavior by the Athletic Dept.
This is typical of how Alcorn will do business - totally disrespectful treatment of people, total disregard for what the "team" thinks, no regard whatsoever for one's contributions, and NO communication about changes that will affect people. An attitude of superiority that will lead only to continual degradation of the university programs.
It's a disgrace to our university system and to this region the manner in which Alcorn treats it's people. This is a dishonorable action of Alcorn Administration. Even if these coaches deserved "firing" (nonrenewal of contracts, is such a sissy way of handling things in my opinion), they and we the public, at least deserved some open discussion.
I object strongly to the way in which these people were treated. The honorable thing to do would have been to discuss the option of renewal or NOT openly with those involved.
You would think our local university, which has suffered through decades of discrimination, would want to set an example of treating people decently.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
that's right dog8..... who cares anyway ............
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please do a spell check and grammar check on your post pertaining to this article. Many posters have stated that they are from ASU or JSU and the grammatical errors and spelling errors do not leave a great impression. I am not condoning nor condemning the AD or ASU. I am waiting to hear the rest of this story before I form an opinion. I am sure we have not heard the complete story and it is prudent to save judgement til the story unfolds.
You do not want to eat your words later when you spot out bitterness today.
Posted by fay2ntz (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so disrespectful to everyone!!!! You can't hire someone and expect to win every game in just one season. Then turn around and fire most of the staff that he hired without even talking to him. The new president is another Bristow. Most of what he has done in the past few months is just rude and disrespectful to alot of faculty and students. To date, most of Alcorn's staff that have just about dedicated their lives to the campus have been fired or forced to retire. Some situations I understand why but with others I don't.
Posted by fdogjr (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Godsend, please tell me what talent we had on the field. WRs couldn't catch and were slow. DBs couldn't cover and were slow. We had 4 new starters on the OL and the DL was small. I know talent when I see it and Alcorn didn't have much.
Posted by savage87 (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fdogjr, u make a lot of comments seemingly not knowing what you're talking about, i've been to more than a good bit of the practices, and a majority of the games, and the team is very athletic, there were around 4 receivers who went 4.5 or better in the 40, and good speed in the secondary, receivers may have had trouble at times hauling in passes but were not unathletic and slow, the DL was small, but very productive, so check up on your information b4 you comment on what u don't know about
Posted by jaquan32 (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
O.k. redusmfan, someone always has to go there. You know I am sure that everyone who has written a post knows how to read, write and use proper english. Most people that are replying are probably at work or something and don't have time to revise there comments. Anyway they are basically having a conversation not writing a supreme court opinion.
But if proper lang. is that important 2 u and if u c/t seem to understand wut people r saying on there post then go 2 school and b/c an editor. GIT A LIFE
Posted by msmajorette (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a Alcorn Alumni, I would like to know what is going on. What is fact and what is rumor? I read in a newspaper that Dr. Hamilton, AD said that he did not have to give a reason whey the coaches were let go. If this is true, then it is time for Darren Hamilton to go. If it is not true, the Alumni and supporters need to be given an official statement as to why the coaches contracts are not being renewed. Where are you Dr. Ross and Dr. Hamilton--step forward.
The hostility between Dr. Hamilton and Head Coach Ernest
Jones has been evident for a very long time. Dr. Hamilton needs to serve as AD and realize that he is not the Head Football coach.
Posted by downbytheriver (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is stupid, and for sure more going on than what is being rumored. I know for sure it isn't about the record this season, and not about coaches stealing money. Power struggle between AD and HC..strong maybe. But to fire the asst.'s like that is just wrong. I think it is ignorant how this is being handled, and definitely an embarassment for Alcorn. Maybe there are too many "old school" types in position that should maybe just go ahead on and retire, get some new blood in there that KNOWS how to run an academic institution!
I sure hope the McNair rumor isn't in the way some of you say, ie: Steve got money so he wants to get in and do it his way....that isn't saying much for him as a person, or as a man. I sure hope that is a RUMOR!
And don't be knockin the football players...hello this is the SWAC, and the same can be said for all SWAC football players. ASU actually wasn't that bad this yr given the circumstances, and I know I am (I WAS) expecting big things for next yr...they will gel and get it together. That was BEFORE the stupidity of the firing of the asst's and more than likely Jones as well (be ready for that). They keep doing this schat and the team never gonna get it together..just sad.
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From what I saw this year we did have some talent. We were in the games and could have won most of them. However, poor coaching doesn't win anything! Of course we didn't have guys running a 4.2 and running over defenders, but show or tell me one team in the SWAC that did. We had the talent to contend within the SWAC better than what we did this year.
Yes, I feel that Alcorn should have handled the situation differ, but I still say Jones should be glad that he wasn't fired as well. After been hearing about the different allegations and Jones did nothing about them, the AD did what he felt he had to do. And as far as the rumor about McNair, I think that is just a rumor.
Who knows…. just my opinion.
Posted by MissMagnolia (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Folks. Dont believe everything you read in the papers. Jones knew what was happening. From other sources, on last week, I had been informed of the firings/non contract renewals.
Of course, he will play dumb but he knew. Those guys only had a 1 yr contract and he knew they were not going to be renewed.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are hilarious Yankee....I love the analogy.
Posted by downbytheriver (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As MissMagnolia stated, don't believe the hype!
From the AD on down, they knew what was up last week all between Wed/Thanksgiving. I really am sick of the way things are handled. How about being a PROFESSIONAL in your job?
While Jones talked alot, he was talking from his heart. He wanted to put enthusiasm into this team and he did get them pumped up, and made them work HARDER than any other coach previous in the strength/conditioning/weight room. Players that were there last season said they had NEVER worked as hard as they did this year with the new coach. Believe me, they were ready and buying into Jones "process".
While I admit, there needed to be some changes in game strategy, Alcorn, I believe after some tweaks, will be ready next year.
Well, who knows now...you can't keep changing entire coaching staffs and expect results! This has just set Alcorn back another yr or 2!
Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you're an alumnus of Alcorn State University, please become active in the ASU Alumni Association so these issues may be discussed and resolved. Blogging is not an effective means of conflict resolution for those who care.
Krogers, please note that the administration is changing, which is evident in some of the recent decisions implemented by the current president. I've spoken to several of the faculty memebers and they're excited about the reorganization that's taking place within the organizational structure.
While the firing of those coaches seem unjustifiable, has anyone seen the terms and conditions of their contracts, and has anyone read the Alcorn State University employee handbook?
Posted by ATL_ALUMNI (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Man, I tell you the truth. Folks will lie about anything!! Rumors of this and that!!! IF you wasn't a fly on the wall, then you can't say what really happened!!! I'm assuming AD is doing his job that he was hired to do!!! He doesn't have to justify his actions to anyone except the President!! I am a die-hard Alcornite and I'm sure that there was a reason for all of this!!! There must have been something that could have brought trouble to the university that made the AD act swiftly!!! If that wasn't the case, then why did the AD retain two of the coaches!! I'm sure they all know the reason.There is such a thing called a privacy law to protect those involved!! I still support Coach Jones even if it is made public about what really happened! He is a very energetic coach that was bringing back that flame to Alcorn football!!
Posted by ATL_ALUMNI (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And for you Junkie-State you might want to focus on Grambling! There's no denying the beat-down coming to you all. Alcorn business is our business. We CAN and WILL handle it according to nature best for the university!!!
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