You’ve got to believe that the resignations of head football coaches James Webster and Kermit Blount have more to do with executive influence than success on the football field.
Webster, the Tennessee State head coach who had been rumored to be out as far back as two weeks, was unfairly dragged through the media mud by TSU insiders. Not that they shouldn’t have provided information to media outlets, (this one included) but that specific dates and athletic executives were attributed to the leakage of information. TSU Athletic Director Teresa Phillips made no secrets about Webster’s future at the institution, and the publicity that her plans enjoyed on blogs, message boards and media alerts around the country were enough to make Charlie Weis blush.
As for Blount, Winston-Salem State’s ambitious plans for moving to Division I cost him his job. His poor record, lack of alumni and fan support and strapped recruiting efforts were all a direct result of the wasted years of the Rams trying to move to the MEAC, only to take a number of beatings from the conference member schools. Throw in the hiring of Bill Hayes as the new Ram athletic director, and the perfect storm for a football change blew right through Ram Land.
Webster’s time had come, as much of the Ohio Valley and regular black college opponents of TSU had passed the program by in recruiting. But Blount, given a year back in the friendly embrace of the CIAA, might have been able to refocus the Ram brand amongst high school football coaches and fans in the area.
Two outgoing athletic directors and two coaching vacancies are all that remain of two distinct black college football controversies.
MSU93 6:13 pm on November 20, 2009 Permalink
I didn’t realize this coach was at WSSU for 17 years. It’s sad after such a tenure that it had to end the way it did. It seemed that the chips were stacked against him. I hope he lands on his feet. I couldnt imagine being in a position for 17 years and its taken from me…..
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JC 6:32 pm on November 20, 2009 Permalink
I think if he had just one or two more years with the team returning to the CIAA, he would’ve reestablished the program. As it is, one of the great tenures in all of black college football comes to an end, and it’s pretty unfortunate.
MSU93 7:58 pm on November 20, 2009 Permalink
Yeah I was thinking he must be up there in great tenures in not only black college football but football in general…….2 championships and 2 bowl appearances…..I say lets give him a shot a Morgan……lol……what we got to lose, but another sub par season…..?…lol