JSU football coach candidates
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Mr. Tiger
Mr. T
Texas A&M assistant wants to coach JSU
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Texas A&M assistant coach Melvin Smith doesn't have ties to Jackson State, but the Mississippi native does want to be the Tigers' next head football coach.
JSU is looking for a replacement for James Bell, who was fired two weeks ago after compiling an 8-23 record in 2 1/2 seasons.
Bell did not have ties to JSU. Some fans have said they prefer a coach with JSU connections, although search committee chairman Robert Kelly says that is not a prerequisite for the job.
JSU is accepting applications through today. The search committee is expected to meet next week to develop a list of three to five finalists to bring in for interviews the following week. Kelly wouldn't release the names of any candidates who have applied.
Smith, a former assistant at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, is among several being mentioned by JSU fans. Others include Tuskegee coach Rick Comegy, Baylor receivers coach Harold Jackson, Alcorn offensive coordinator John McKenzie, Toledo offensive coordinator John Shannon, Murray State receivers coach Bobby Hall, UAB defensive backs coach George Pugh and Albany State coach Mike White.
Jackson played at JSU. Shannon coached there. McKenzie did both.
McKenzie and Jackson have expressed an interest in the job. Shannon has not returned repeated phone calls.
Smith, 47, was born in Taylorsville and raised in Magee. He played football for Millsaps, then coached for 20 years in Mississippi high schools and colleges.
He said in a telephone interview that his Mississippi background, along with 24 years as an assistant coach, make him a prime candidate for JSU.
"It's time for me to become a head coach," Smith said. "Everybody would be proud of the product I would put out on the field."
Anyone know any background on George Pugh? I have never heard of anyone mentioning his name.
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Texas A&M assistant coach Melvin Smith doesn't have ties to Jackson State, but the Mississippi native does want to be the Tigers' next head football coach.
JSU is looking for a replacement for James Bell, who was fired two weeks ago after compiling an 8-23 record in 2 1/2 seasons.
Bell did not have ties to JSU. Some fans have said they prefer a coach with JSU connections, although search committee chairman Robert Kelly says that is not a prerequisite for the job.
JSU is accepting applications through today. The search committee is expected to meet next week to develop a list of three to five finalists to bring in for interviews the following week. Kelly wouldn't release the names of any candidates who have applied.
Smith, a former assistant at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, is among several being mentioned by JSU fans. Others include Tuskegee coach Rick Comegy, Baylor receivers coach Harold Jackson, Alcorn offensive coordinator John McKenzie, Toledo offensive coordinator John Shannon, Murray State receivers coach Bobby Hall, UAB defensive backs coach George Pugh and Albany State coach Mike White.
Jackson played at JSU. Shannon coached there. McKenzie did both.
McKenzie and Jackson have expressed an interest in the job. Shannon has not returned repeated phone calls.
Smith, 47, was born in Taylorsville and raised in Magee. He played football for Millsaps, then coached for 20 years in Mississippi high schools and colleges.
He said in a telephone interview that his Mississippi background, along with 24 years as an assistant coach, make him a prime candidate for JSU.
"It's time for me to become a head coach," Smith said. "Everybody would be proud of the product I would put out on the field."
Anyone know any background on George Pugh? I have never heard of anyone mentioning his name.
bluphiiijsu
Creative Director
Not sure where his name came from... I don't know about this guy. He seems to stay in head coaching positions 2 or 3 years then he moves on. Why did he leave AAMU? Was it by choice or did AAMU push him out? He seems to know how to win but I don't think he will commit to JSU for more than 2 or 3 years.
____________________________
George Pugh, who has more than 20 years experience in the collegiate coaching ranks, rejoined the UAB football coaching staff in February, 2005.
For Pugh, it is his second stint as a member of the UAB coaching staff. He was an assistant coach with the Blazers from 1995-2000, working with running backs, tight ends, defensive ends and wide receivers during that time. His first season at UAB was also Brown's initial year in Birmingham as the Blazers' head coach.
Pugh will coach on the defensive side of the ball and work with the Blazer "nickel" backs and team with Shawn Raney to coach the secondary.
Pugh was involved in the recruitment of several Blazers who completed their senior seasons in 2004, but he also was the primary recruiter of rising senior and All-Conference USA quarterback Darrell Hackney out of Atlanta's Douglass High School.
Pugh is back to UAB after spending the past two years as the head coach at Meadowcreek High School in metro-Atlanta. Prior to that stint, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach on the staff at Arkansas.
Pugh came to UAB in January 1995, from Luverne (Ala.) High School, where he was the offensive coordinator in 1994. Prior to that, Pugh was the head football coach and athletic director at Selma (Ala.) High School for two years (1992-93).
Prior to joining the staff at UAB, Pugh was the head coach at Alabama A&M (1989-91). During his tenure, the Bulldogs posted an overall record of 19-10 and won three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships; they participated in the Division II playoffs in 1991.
He was also an assistant coach with Jackie Sherrill at Texas A&M University (1982-88) and the University of Pittsburgh (1981). Texas A&M was 50-26 during his seven seasons with the Aggies, winning three Southwest Conference titles and making three Cotton Bowl appearances.
Pittsburgh won the Big East title and played in the Sugar Bowl during his one season with the Panthers.
Pugh got his start in coaching in 1976 as an assistant coach at Columbia High School in Decatur, Ga. Two years later, he was the head coach at Columbia, leading the program to a 7-3 record, a district championship, and the regional playoffs.
He got his start in collegiate coaching at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga as an assistant. In two seasons (1979-80) there, the Moccasins were 20-2 and won two Southern Conference titles.
Pugh earned his undergraduate degree in health, physical education, and recreation from the University of Alabama in 1976. He was a four-year starter and letterwinner at tight end for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant ; during those four years (1972-75), the team posted a 44-1 record, making four post-season bowl appearances and winning a national championship in 1973.
Pugh is married to the former Lelettrice Hines. The couple has three daughters -- Stephanie, April and Brittany; and three sons, Marcus, Michael George and Joshua.
____________________________
George Pugh, who has more than 20 years experience in the collegiate coaching ranks, rejoined the UAB football coaching staff in February, 2005.
For Pugh, it is his second stint as a member of the UAB coaching staff. He was an assistant coach with the Blazers from 1995-2000, working with running backs, tight ends, defensive ends and wide receivers during that time. His first season at UAB was also Brown's initial year in Birmingham as the Blazers' head coach.
Pugh will coach on the defensive side of the ball and work with the Blazer "nickel" backs and team with Shawn Raney to coach the secondary.
Pugh was involved in the recruitment of several Blazers who completed their senior seasons in 2004, but he also was the primary recruiter of rising senior and All-Conference USA quarterback Darrell Hackney out of Atlanta's Douglass High School.
Pugh is back to UAB after spending the past two years as the head coach at Meadowcreek High School in metro-Atlanta. Prior to that stint, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach on the staff at Arkansas.
Pugh came to UAB in January 1995, from Luverne (Ala.) High School, where he was the offensive coordinator in 1994. Prior to that, Pugh was the head football coach and athletic director at Selma (Ala.) High School for two years (1992-93).
Prior to joining the staff at UAB, Pugh was the head coach at Alabama A&M (1989-91). During his tenure, the Bulldogs posted an overall record of 19-10 and won three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships; they participated in the Division II playoffs in 1991.
He was also an assistant coach with Jackie Sherrill at Texas A&M University (1982-88) and the University of Pittsburgh (1981). Texas A&M was 50-26 during his seven seasons with the Aggies, winning three Southwest Conference titles and making three Cotton Bowl appearances.
Pittsburgh won the Big East title and played in the Sugar Bowl during his one season with the Panthers.
Pugh got his start in coaching in 1976 as an assistant coach at Columbia High School in Decatur, Ga. Two years later, he was the head coach at Columbia, leading the program to a 7-3 record, a district championship, and the regional playoffs.
He got his start in collegiate coaching at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga as an assistant. In two seasons (1979-80) there, the Moccasins were 20-2 and won two Southern Conference titles.
Pugh earned his undergraduate degree in health, physical education, and recreation from the University of Alabama in 1976. He was a four-year starter and letterwinner at tight end for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant ; during those four years (1972-75), the team posted a 44-1 record, making four post-season bowl appearances and winning a national championship in 1973.
Pugh is married to the former Lelettrice Hines. The couple has three daughters -- Stephanie, April and Brittany; and three sons, Marcus, Michael George and Joshua.
Tigerpride
THE Logical ONE
JRock, the good thing is that JSU is can get the pick of the litter this year. No one else worth a dayum is looking for a coach, except maybe NCAT (and we got a good jump on them unless they already have a committee formed). We have a lot of good coaches to choose from.
DAHILL
Well-Known Member
Mr. Tiger said:
I went back and edited it... she was either Ms. AAMU or a dance girl....I went to high school with two of her brothers.....but like I said earlier they are married now, so it wouldnt be fair to say he was running around on campus looking for college girls. It was one and that is who he chose to marry....the relationship may have cost him his job here though.
the band fan
Baseball Fan
A&M's horrible season will hurt Smith......go on and hire Comegy...
Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
I'm leaning towards White.
Tigerpride
THE Logical ONE
When is footballscoop.com ever right?
Makaho 2.0
++ Digital Assassin ++
You heard it from me here first.
John Shannon will be our next head coach.
John Shannon will be our next head coach.
staggalee83
War & Thunder
Texas A@M assistant wants to coach JSU
Another applicant..................comments?
Last day for COACHING CANDIDATES to submit applications so we gonna know something soon. Looks like they will hit that DEC 3rd deadline. :nod2:
Another applicant..................comments?
Last day for COACHING CANDIDATES to submit applications so we gonna know something soon. Looks like they will hit that DEC 3rd deadline. :nod2:
Dennis Winston would be a great candidate for JSU to look at he has several ties to the Jackson area, as well as to the surrounding states that are critical to JSU success. He also brings with him a black national championship from his days at Grambling and he brings with him a super bowl championship from his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has coached both on the 1A level at the university of Arkansas, Arkansas State and Toledo, 1AA Grambling State where he was the defensive coordinator for Eddie Robinson. While at Toledo thier defense was ranked in the top 10 in the nation. He has very strong ties to the Memphis area as well. He is currently the defensive line coach of the Edmonton Eskimos of the Candian Football league. He would bring with him a wide open offensive attack which is familar to JSU and the SWAC. I know that he was one of the top candidates for the TSU position and had it not been for a lame duck president making the call versus the AD he would have probably been the coach at TSU. I am just curious as to why this candidate would not be good for JSU. His recruiting background is second to none if you look at the success that Toledo has had on offense it is somewhat due in part to his recruiting efforts in the Pittsburgh area to get the qb's that have played thier. Here is a web site address for the Edmonton Eskimos. esks.com you can find his bio there.
The Riddler
Buck Buck #1
Makaho 2.0 said:
Tell you what, his shiznit be high powered.
Tell you another thing, if Saturday was a job interview, John Mckenzie failed big time.
Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
True, so true. That dude's offense sucked heavily.The Riddler said:
The Riddler
Buck Buck #1
Blacknbengal said:
He's O's performance coupled with his head coaching record - shiiiiii - we just went through that didn't we?
I kept waiting on them to do something, but it was normal, very normal. It certainly did not look like a guy trying to impress those considering to hire him.
Dirt Winston will be Jackson State new head football coach. Remember when I told you that they fired coach Bell now lets see how many people believe me now. Take it and pass it on to other people in the SWAC for the rest of the week and when they announce the new head coach get back with me on the board. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
BlackCaesar2k5
Active Member
I believ George Pugh was fired by that lawnjockey Alan Keyes back in 1991.. However, I think Pugh is good coach and knows how win games.. However, he want a chance coach in 1-aa playoffs.. And same thing can said about Rick Comegy, L.C. Cole and Billy Joe.. Jackson State should consider hiring Dennis Winston.. He has superior resume than Pugh.. Althoguh he never has been head football coach. But Winston knows the SWAC Conference and tradition of Jackson State.. He is one of the reasons why Toledo got some of top-tier players out of Western Pa... And I think Winston will bring more aggressive offensive attack to jackson state as well..
bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
JSU coaching search down to three
Committee hopes to conduct interviews next week, agree on finalist by Dec. 2
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Tuskegee coach Rick Comegy, Baylor receivers coach Harold Jackson and Alcorn State offensive coordinator John McKenzie are the finalists in Jackson State's search for a new football coach.
Robert Kelly, the chair of the nine-member search committee, wouldn't reveal the names of the finalists. But people with knowledge of the search said it's down to those three ? two former JSU players (McKenzie and Jackson) with limited head coaching experience and a coach with a proven record at the NCAA Division II level.
The three are expected to interview in Jackson next week. After each coach has been interviewed, the search committee will meet to determine who will become the Tigers' next coach.
Kelly plans to have that name ready to present to school president Ronald Mason Jr., no later than Dec. 2.
"Everything went real well," Kelly said. "We went through the process of coming up with a short list as we had planned, and we were able to do that. We think its a very good list."
There are no surprises among the finalists. All three have been prominently mentioned by JSU alumni and fans as possible replacements for James Bell.
Bell, who had a three-year salary paying $85,000 per year, was fired with three games remaining this season. He went 8-23 in 21/2 seasons.
Committee hopes to conduct interviews next week, agree on finalist by Dec. 2
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Tuskegee coach Rick Comegy, Baylor receivers coach Harold Jackson and Alcorn State offensive coordinator John McKenzie are the finalists in Jackson State's search for a new football coach.
Robert Kelly, the chair of the nine-member search committee, wouldn't reveal the names of the finalists. But people with knowledge of the search said it's down to those three ? two former JSU players (McKenzie and Jackson) with limited head coaching experience and a coach with a proven record at the NCAA Division II level.
The three are expected to interview in Jackson next week. After each coach has been interviewed, the search committee will meet to determine who will become the Tigers' next coach.
Kelly plans to have that name ready to present to school president Ronald Mason Jr., no later than Dec. 2.
"Everything went real well," Kelly said. "We went through the process of coming up with a short list as we had planned, and we were able to do that. We think its a very good list."
There are no surprises among the finalists. All three have been prominently mentioned by JSU alumni and fans as possible replacements for James Bell.
Bell, who had a three-year salary paying $85,000 per year, was fired with three games remaining this season. He went 8-23 in 21/2 seasons.
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