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| New Savannah State head coach Earnest Wilson III meets with his players after introductory press conference. (Savannah State photo). |
After a nearly two month long search, Savannah State finally has a new head coach. Earnest Wilson III was introduced to the media as Savannah State head coach on Friday. Wilson replaces Steven Davenport, who was abruptly fired on April 15.
Wilson spent last season as offensive coordinator for Hampton University. Wilson was chosen from 90 applicants, according to athletic director Sterling Steward. Wilson said this is not the first time he has applied for the head coaching job at Savannah State.
“I applied for this job five times,” Wilson said.
Wilson talked briefly about how he will run his program.
“My main thing is to work together,” he said. “You see a lot of people stabbing each other in the back trying to do things or jockey for position…I want people that are just in it for the young men, and are in it to get Savannah to win.”
Winning is something Savannah State fans have not felt a lot of as of late. SSU finished 1-10 last season, and 2-20 during Davenport’s two-year run as head coach.
Hampton ranked fifth in the MEAC in total offense last season, averaging over 317 yards per game.
During the conference, Wilson was asked about the type of offense he will run at SSU. He says though he refers to his offense-style as an “air-raid” scheme, he won’t be afraid to run the ball around.
“I can put five wideouts on the field,” he said. “We like to throw the ball around but at the same time, we know how to run it.