Less than a week after Darrell Asberry resigned as head coach, Texas Southern has quickly hired his replacement.
The school announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement in principle on a four-year deal with one-time FBS head coach Michael Haywood, according to a Houston TV station.
“It’s a significant hire for Texas Southern University to be able to get a coach like the caliber of Mike Haywood,” said Dr. Charles McClelland, TSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics, in an interview with FOX 26.
Haywood, 51, was a wide receiver and defensive back at Notre Dame in the mid-1980s before becoming an assistant at Army, Texas, LSU and Notre Dame.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Haywood said. “I give thanks to Charles, Dr. (John) Rudley for providing me with this opportunity to get back into coaching.”
In 2009, Hayward was hired by Miami-Ohio, where he was named MAC Coach of the Year after an 11-1 season in 2010.
He was later was slated to be named head coach at the University of Pittsburgh before he was arrested on a domestic violence complaint in South Bend, Indiana on December 31, 2010 during an alleged incident with a woman he had a child with.
The woman claimed that Haywood choked her and pushed her into a wheelbarrow, according to a police report regarding the incident. The report also asserts that police discovered found red marks on the woman’s neck, chest and face.
Haywood admitted he touched the woman, but not to the violent extent that he was accused of, said the report. He said he accidentally made her fall to the ground after pushing her away when she tried to pull their then 21-month-old son from a car.
Domestic violence charges were dismissed in 2012 after Haywood completed court order pre-trial diversion requirements that included counseling and public service.
“I apologized for this terrible mistake that I made,” Haywood told the television station. “It was wrong what I did. I have learned from this situation. It has gone through the legal situation and I have been cleared. I am thankful that I am able to continue my coaching career.”
Haywood takes over for Asberry who stepped down on Nov. 29 after four seasons.
“With his background and extensive experience we were lucky to get someone of Haywood’s caliber,” McClelland said.“Someone that’s been Coach of the Year, has coached at the highest level, for us to be able to get him at Texas Southern is remarkable for our athletic department.”
