LORMAN — Alcorn State University head football coach Melvin Spears has selected former Grambling State defensive coordinator Michael Wayne Roach as the Braves’ new defensive coordinator.

Roach, a 1985 graduate of Southern University, was Spears’ defensive coordinator when he was head coach at Grambling State, when the Tigers won three straight Black College National Championships. Roach was at Grambling from 1997 through 2004.

Before working at Grambling State, Roach worked at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He was also head coach at Southern Lab in Baton Rouge from 1993 through 1996, and at Glenn Oaks High School, also in Baton Rouge, from 1989 through 1993.

His last coaching stint was back at Southern Lab from 2004 through 2010. Roach, a Baton Rouge native, attended Capitol High School.

Roach is the husband of Nancy V. Roach. Their oldest son, Michael Roach Jr., is an All-State quarterback at Southern Lab and will be a freshman defensive back at Alcorn State. Their youngest son’s name is Malcolm.

Roach said he was elated when he got the call from Spears.

“This is a great chance for me to work with coach Spears again,” he said. “We had a lot of success at Grambling, and we now have the chance to bring that winning tradition back to Alcorn State. I am glad to be a part of this.”

Spears said Roach’s ability to relate to the players made him a good choice for the job.

“He brings stability to our team and the league,” Spears said. “He works well with young men and gives you 60 minutes each game. He is a real winner and will do his all to be successful.”