After weeks of speculation, North Carolina Central fans finally know who will lead their program for the near future. NCCU introduced Jerry Mack as its new head football coach on Thursday. Mack, 33, is the third-youngest active Division I coach. The first-time head coach has been an assistant at four Division I programs, including Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Mack spent the last two years as a wide receivers coach at South Alabama.
“His energy during his interviews and how he articulated his vision, not just academics but everything,” Athletic Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree said. “His presence and how he’s been prepared professionally, that’s what you want for our young men and women. That type of knowledge.”
We are all for NCCU new coach @hbcupridenation @hbcugameday http://t.co/CiDinfFqOx
– iLet My Pita Speakî‹ (@The_Dola) December 19, 2013
NCCU finished 5-7 under interim coach Dwayne Foster during the 2013 season. Foster assumed that role after head coach Henry Frazier was dismissed prior to the start of the season following an arrest for violating a protective order.
Jerry Mack started his college career at Jackson State, where he won a SWAC title in 1999. He later transferred to Arkansas State where he finished his playing career.
Mack’s coaching career has been a fast-moving one. He coached wide receivers and tight ends at Jackson State from 2006-2007 under Rick Comegy. From 2008-09, he both coached wide receivers and was the passing-game coordinator at Central Arkansas. In 2010, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In 2011, he coached wide receivers at Memphis and from there went to South Alabama.
“Jerry Mack is simply the gatekeeper of the program,” Mack said in his introductory press conference. “That’s all I am. Without the support of the community, without the support of the fans, without the support of the alumni, I cannot be successful. We need everybody on board. We need people in the cafeteria, admissions office, financial-aid office – all across campus, we must all be one family.
“Teamwork makes the dream work.”
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