The Alcorn State University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Search Committee has narrowed the list of candidates for head men’s basketball coach down to three finalists. The finalists are Richard Horton, David Ponton and Luther Riley.
Horton, a Belzoni native and former Braves standout player under the legendary Davey L. Whitney, was named 1982 All SWAC and All Tournament for Men’s Basketball is currently Head Boys and Girls Basketball Coach and Athletic Director for the Humphreys County School District. Horton was a graduate assistant for Lady Braves Basketball team under the legendary Shirley Walker from 1983-1985 and is also a professional scout for College sports to the NFL, NBA and MLB under James “Bus” Cook. Horton is a 1982 graduate of Alcorn State University.
Ponton, is a Monroe, Louisiana native and former Grambling State Lady Tigers coach and three time SWAC Coach of the Year with over 25 years of experience. He was Men’s Assistant Coach from 1988–1992 and served as Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the 1997-2008 Grambling State University Lady Tigers. Ponton is a 1986 graduate of Southern University.
Riley, a Walnut Grove native and former Braves Graduate Assistant who studied under the legendary Davey L. Whitney is currently Head Men’s Basketball Coach at John W. Provine High School in Jackson, Mississippi. Riley has won four state championships, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008; won the Grand Slam Championship in 2008 was named Mississippi High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2005 and coached for Nike’s Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis, Missouri from 2004-2007. Riley is a 1995 Graduate of Mississippi Valley State University and received his Masters from Alcorn State University in 1998.
All three will participate in interviews with the Committee on Saturday March 26, 2011 on the campus of Alcorn State University. Interview results will be presented to the Administration for selection of the preferred candidate for head coach. The preferred candidate will interview with the president and an offer will be made. If the offer is accepted, the process will close and a new head coach will be named. If the offer is not accepted the public will be alerted on the next steps to be taken.
President Brown will then announce his appointment of the new head basketball coach and a Meet and Greet will be held at the Jackson Convention Center Complex Downtown Jackson, Mississippi at 11:00 a.m. on Monday March 28, 2011. The media, public, alumni, university faculty and staff along with students are invited to attend the Press Conference/Meet and Greet.
Below are important dates in the process:
Thursday, MARCH 10, 2011
Formal announcement of vacancy of Head Football Coach
Tuesday MARCH 22, 2011
5:00 p.m. – Applications due
Saturday MARCH 26, 2011
9 a.m. – Candidate Interview with Search Committee
11 a.m. – Candidate Interview with Search Committee
2 p.m. – Candidate Interview with Search Committee
Monday MARCH 28, 2011
11 a.m. – Press Conference Announcing Head Coach and Meet & Greet
Jackson Convention Center Complex, West Theater 3rd Floor
105 East Pascagoula St.
Jackson, MS 39201
