 |
| Grambling has won four-straight games under Broderick Fobbs. (Gannett Photo) |
Coaching changes are tough at any level of football, but especially in college. A new coach faces many challenges, from recruiting/maintaining commitments from prospective players to figuring out how to fit existing pieces into his schedule.
Last week, several HBCU coaches in their first seasons at their schools pulled off big wins.
-Broderick Fobbs picked up the biggest win of his career so far on Saturday, as Grambling State knocked off nationally ranked Alcorn State 28-21. Fobbs has been a game-changer for the G-Men, leading them to four-straight wins and the top spot in the SWAC West. If Grambling makes the championship game, he should be up for national coaching honors.
-Rick Comegy is no rookie head coach, but his win over Jackson State probably made him feel like a newbie again. Comegy marched his new team (Mississippi Valley) into his old stomping grounds (Jackson State) and came away with the biggest win of the season on Saturday. It had to feel like at least slight vindication after he was run out of Jackson despite several berths in the SWAC Championship.
-Jerry Mack’s North Carolina Central squad shocked the black college football world on Saturday. Not only did NCCU beat South Carolina State, they dominated, picking up a 48-28 win over a team that had allowed just 20 points in its last three games.
-Mark James is the latest man to make Joe Taylor look like a genius. James was one of Taylor’s first hires as AD, and he’s been a homerun so far, leading Virginia Union to a 5-1 record and first place in the CIAA’s Northern Division. James’ first homecoming as head coach was a complete success as VUU’s 78-13 win over Lincoln marked the most points VUU has scored in over 90 years.