Jafus (Thinker)
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Lemon returns to coach at Central State
Former assistant to lead rebirth of football program
By Dave Lance
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/daily/0717csu.html
WILBERFORCE | Central State dug into its past to find its football future.
Theo Lemon will be introduced as CSU's new head coach at a 10 a.m. Friday press conference, athletics director Theresa Check confirmed Wednesday. Lemon was a CSU assistant from 1985-90. He worked as CSU's academic adviser, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 1990, the year the Marauders won the NAIA Division I national title.
Legislators voted to prohibit CSU from fielding a football program for the 1997 season following NAIA sanctions. The school hasn't had a football team since.
"This is the best selection because Theo has qualities other than being a great football coach," Check said. "He has qualities that we need in a head football coach, qualities other than being a great football coach. He's a program builder, a fund-raiser and a leader, and he has the integrity to combine all of those aspects.
"His knowledge of Central State was an asset. We had approximately 50 applicants; it was a national search. We took our time, went through a lot of resumes and interviews to make sure we got it right."
Jacksonville Jaguars All-Pro defensive end Hugh Douglas, who Lemon recruited to CSU, thinks the school did.
"I think it's great they hired Coach Lemon," Douglas said. "I got a few phone calls from Coach Check about some of the guys they interviewed for the job, and I think all of them are great guys. But it's good they picked Coach Lemon because he was there when (former head coach) Billy Joe was there. (Lemon) knows a lot about the program."
Lemon's most recent job was as head coach at Division III College of DuPage (Illinois). He led the Chaparrals to a 2-8 record last season and was 5-5 in his ?01 debut. Lemon's coaching stints have included Kentucky State, Rutgers, East Carolina and Ohio University, where he graduated in 1980 with a bachelor's in physical education and in 1990 with a master's in guidance and counseling.
Lemon served as a Wake Forest assistant coach from 1996-2000. The Demon Deacons won the 1999 Aloha Bowl with Lemon serving as defensive line coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator the following season.
"This is a good situation for everyone involved," Douglas said. "They don't want to have the same thing that happened last time. You want to build a program the right way. Lemon has a college background, he's a great guy and I think it's a wonderful thing.
"I can't wait until it happens, so I can sit in the stands and watch Marauder football again."
Contact Dave Lance at 225-7492.
Former assistant to lead rebirth of football program
By Dave Lance
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/daily/0717csu.html
WILBERFORCE | Central State dug into its past to find its football future.
Theo Lemon will be introduced as CSU's new head coach at a 10 a.m. Friday press conference, athletics director Theresa Check confirmed Wednesday. Lemon was a CSU assistant from 1985-90. He worked as CSU's academic adviser, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 1990, the year the Marauders won the NAIA Division I national title.
Legislators voted to prohibit CSU from fielding a football program for the 1997 season following NAIA sanctions. The school hasn't had a football team since.
"This is the best selection because Theo has qualities other than being a great football coach," Check said. "He has qualities that we need in a head football coach, qualities other than being a great football coach. He's a program builder, a fund-raiser and a leader, and he has the integrity to combine all of those aspects.
"His knowledge of Central State was an asset. We had approximately 50 applicants; it was a national search. We took our time, went through a lot of resumes and interviews to make sure we got it right."
Jacksonville Jaguars All-Pro defensive end Hugh Douglas, who Lemon recruited to CSU, thinks the school did.
"I think it's great they hired Coach Lemon," Douglas said. "I got a few phone calls from Coach Check about some of the guys they interviewed for the job, and I think all of them are great guys. But it's good they picked Coach Lemon because he was there when (former head coach) Billy Joe was there. (Lemon) knows a lot about the program."
Lemon's most recent job was as head coach at Division III College of DuPage (Illinois). He led the Chaparrals to a 2-8 record last season and was 5-5 in his ?01 debut. Lemon's coaching stints have included Kentucky State, Rutgers, East Carolina and Ohio University, where he graduated in 1980 with a bachelor's in physical education and in 1990 with a master's in guidance and counseling.
Lemon served as a Wake Forest assistant coach from 1996-2000. The Demon Deacons won the 1999 Aloha Bowl with Lemon serving as defensive line coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator the following season.
"This is a good situation for everyone involved," Douglas said. "They don't want to have the same thing that happened last time. You want to build a program the right way. Lemon has a college background, he's a great guy and I think it's a wonderful thing.
"I can't wait until it happens, so I can sit in the stands and watch Marauder football again."
Contact Dave Lance at 225-7492.
