Bethune-Cookman will have a new head football coach in the 2023 season as the university announced earlier today that Terry Sims has been relieved of his duties. 

Sims enjoyed a modicum of success at Bethune finishing with one share of the MEAC crown in 2015, one conference Coach of the Year Award (2015), and a 5-2 record over in-state rival Florida A&M. However, Sims overall record of 38-39 and back to back 2-9 seasons ultimately ended his run as head ball coach in Daytona Beach.

While Athletic Director, Reggie Theus, stated a national coaching search for Sims’ replacement would commence immediately, we keep hearing the names of several individuals who are rumored to be interested in the position.

Here are the Top 5 names that we are hearing as possible replacements for the BCU head coaching position. 

Kevin Sumlin, Head Coach, Houston Gamblers (USFL)

Coach Sumlin currently has a pretty cool gig serving as Head Coach and General Manager of the USFL’s Houston Gamblers. However, Coach Sumlin has ties to the Daytona Beach area and HBCU roots considering both of his parents are HBCU alums. We have it on pretty good authority that he is open to the idea of returning to the college ranks and leading the Bethune-Cookman program. 

Sumlin’s quarterback tree is absolutely ridiculous having coached Drew Bledsoe at Washington State, Drew Brees at Purdue, and Heisman Trophy winners Jason White (Oklahoma), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M). 

Sumlin is also a program builder having revitalized both Houston and Texas A&M’s gridiron programs. 

If Reggie Theus or the folks at Bethune are listening, make the call and make an offer to Coach Sumlin immediately. It makes sense for all of the right reasons. 

Brian Jenkins, Former Head Coach, Bethune-Cookman

Brian Jenkins had one of the most meteoric rises that we have seen among HBCU head coaches. He arrived at Bethune-Cookman as a relative unknown in 2010. By the time he departed BCU at the end of the 2014 season, he accumulated a 46-14 record, he won at least 8 games in each season, he had two 10 win seasons, he won or shared the MEAC crown in four of his five seasons, won two Black College National Championships, had two wins over FBS opponents and three playoff appearances. What a ride!

Jenkins enjoyed less success at Alabama State going 9-17 before being released midseason in 2017; but if the Wildcats could catch lightning in a bottle a second time, Jenkins is your guy.

Raymond Woodie, Associate Head Coach, FAU

Coach Woodie is a “Cookman Man” through and through. He earned both 1-AA All-American honors and Academic All-American honors during his playing days at BCU. Woodie’s accolades continued to pour in during his coaching career being named as the PAC-12’s #1 recruiter in 2017 while at Oregon, the Sun Belt’s Top recruiter while at Western Kentucky and the AAC’s Top recruiter while at FAU. He was named as the ACC’s #2 recruiter while at FSU.

Woodie has proven he can recruit and you need players in order to win. We confirmed Coach Woodie’s interest in the position. If the Wildcats are willing to take a chance on another first time head coach, Raymond Woodie is likely to receive strong consideration.

Ed Reed, NFL Hall of Famer

We have no concrete information to suggest that Ed Reed is interested in the gig; however, his name has been rumored about for the past year and a half. While Reed was one of the best football players we have ever witnessed, he only has 1 year of coaching experience spending the 2016 season as a DB coach with the Buffalo Bills. What Reed does bring is name recognition and intrigue.

Ray Lewis, NFL Hall of Famer

Copy and paste the same information we mentioned about Ed Reed except with Ray Lewis, he has no coaching experience. Both Lewis and Reed are huge risk reward candidates (if they are candidates at all). You may end up with something akin to Coach Prime at Jackson State if you go the Reed or Lewis route; or you could get stuck with something on the opposite end of the spectrum like Coach Eddie George at Tennessee State. 

Just to restate the obvious, this list is purely speculative. It’s not necessarily unfounded speculation but it’s speculation nonetheless. That notwithstanding, let us know what you think. Which of these candidates would you most like to see lead the Wildcats next season? Chime in by voting in the poll below.

Tennessee State’s defense played big and the Tigers got a boost from the return of starting QB Draylen Ellis to capture their first win Saturday.
— Read on www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2022/10/08/tennessee-state-football-score-vs-bethune-cookman-live-updates/69534058007/

Senior tight end Kemari Averett enters the season with a lot of hype – a preseason All American that’s considered one of the best tight ends in not just the Southwestern
— Read on bcuathletics.com/news/2022/9/2/football-a-q-a-with-wildcat-star-tight-end-kemari-averett.aspx

ELF: Hamburg Sea Devils sign Charles Jones as new HC
— Read on www.americanfootballinternational.com/elf-hamburg-sea-devils-sign-charles-jones-as-new-hc/amp/

After spending a semester at a Mississippi JUCO, former Jackson State QB Jalon Jones is taking his talents back to the SWAC.
— Read on hbcugameday.com/2021/12/13/former-jackson-state-qb-jalon-jones-heads-back-to-swac/

Congratulations to the four Wildcats named to the 2021 All SWAC Team. Tight End Kemari Averette, linebacker Untareo Johnson, and cornerback Omari Hill-Robinson all received first team honors while return specialist Darnell Deas received second team honors.

Alabama A&M’s Aqeel Glass was selected Offensive Player of the Year while Florida A&M’s Isaiah Land was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson State’s James Houston was named Newcomer of the Year. Jackson State’s Shedeur Sander was selected for Freshman of the Year accolades while JSU’s Deion Sanders was tabbed Coach of the Year to round out the list of individual award winners.

2021 SWAC Football Postseason Awards

Offensive Player of the Year
Aqeel Glass- Alabama A&M

Defensive Player of the Year
Isaiah Land- Florida A&M

Newcomer of the Year
James Houston- Jackson State

Freshman of the Year
Shedeur Sanders- Jackson State

Coach of the Year
Deion Sanders- Jackson State

All-SWAC First Team Offense
Quarterback: Aqeel Glass- Alabama A&M
Running Back: Bishop Bonnett- Florida A&M
Running Back: Gary Quarles- Alabama A&M
Offensive Lineman: Keenan Forbes- Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: Dallas Black- Southern
Offensive Lineman: Mark Evans II- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Offensive Lineman: Johnathan Bishop- Southern
Offensive Lineman: Drake Centers- Texas Southern
Wide Receiver: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim- Alabama A&M
Wide Receiver: Odieu Hilaire- Alabama A&M
Tight End: Kemari Averett- Bethune-Cookman

All-SWAC First Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: James Houston- Jackson State
Defensive Lineman: Jason Dumas- Prairie View A&M
Defensive Lineman: Sundiata Anderson- Grambling State
Defensive Lineman: Antwan Owens- Jackson State
Linebacker: Isaiah Land- Florida A&M
Linebacker: Untareo Johnson- Bethune-Cookman
Linebacker: Aubrey Miller- Jackson State
Defensive Back: Markquese Bell- Florida A&M
Defensive Back: Drake Cheatum- Prairie View A&M
Defensive Back: BJ Bohler- Florida A&M
Defensive Back: Omari Hill-Robinson- Bethune-Cookman

All-SWAC First Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Jose Romo-Martinez- Florida A&M
Punter: Josh Sanchez- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Return Specialist: Isaiah Bolden- Jackson State

All-SWAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Shedeur Sanders- Jackson State
Running Back: Caleb Johnson- Mississippi Valley State
Running Back: Niko Duffey- Alcorn State
Offensive Lineman: Tony Gray- Jackson State
Offensive Lineman: Ja’Tyre Carter- Southern
Offensive Lineman: Danny Garza- Prairie View A&M
Offensive Lineman: Jay Jackson-Williams- Florida A&M
Offensive Lineman: Robert Alston- Alabama State
Wide Receiver: Keith Corbin- Jackson State
Wide Receiver: Dee Anderson- Alabama A&M
Tight End: Jyrin Johnson- Texas Southern

All-SWAC Second Team Defense
Defensive Lineman: Ronnie Thomas- Mississippi Valley State
Defensive Lineman: Savion Williams- Florida A&M
Defensive Lineman: Michael Badejo- Texas Southern
Defensive Lineman: Deonte Williams- Florida A&M
Linebacker: Monroe Beard III- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Linebacker: Keonte Hampton- Jackson State
Linebacker: Tarik Cooper- Texas Southern
Defensive Back: Irshaad Davis- Alabama State
Defensive Back: Keonte’ Daniels- Mississippi Valley State
Defensive Back: Darius Campbell- Prairie View A&M
Defensive Back: Shilo Sanders- Jackson State

All-SWAC Second Team Specialist
Place Kicker: Garrett Urban- Grambling State
Punter: Garrett Urban- Grambling State
Return Specialist: Darnell Deas- Bethune-Cookman

Thanks for the memories Wildcats!

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats exited Saturday’s contest against Prairie View A&M with more total yards of offense (498-422), more first downs (27-14), and a 110 more rushing yards (242-132) than their Texas foes. But despite their advantages in these key statistical categories, BCU exited Saturday’s contest with their 7th defeat of the season.

“You can’t say the guys didn’t play hard, but when you give up 28 points on mistakes on offense, defense, and special teams you’re not going to win football games that way” head coach Terry Sims said after the contest.

The Wildcats first costly mistake occurred on their second possession of the contest with the game still knotted at 0. Drake Cheatum picked off a Shannon Patrick pass to give PVAMU possession on their own 37 yardline. Trejon Spiller hauled in a 63 yard strike from Jawan Pass on the next play to open the game’s scoring. 

Kamari Averette capped a 7 play 60 yard drive with a 26 yard touchdown reception from Devin Black early in the 2nd quarter. A successful two point conversion attempt gave BCU its only lead of the game at 8-7 but it did not last long. Prairie View regained control of the game after Pass hit his second long touchdown throw of the contest. This one from 59 yards out and landing in the hands of Jailon Howard with just under 2 minutes remaining in the half. 

Bethune drove the ball 73 yards on the final possession of the first half but the drive stalled out on downs on Prairie View’s 2 yardline. On the opposite side of halftime, BCU again drove the ball inside Prairie View’s 20 yardline before coming up empty again. A holding call negated what would have been a BCU go ahead touchdown. Three plays later, Bryce Turner returned a blocked field goal 71 yards to push PVAMU ahead 21-8. 

Jimmie Robinson’s 8 yard TD run cut the lead to one possession but another mistake haunted the Cats. An attempted screen pass ricocheted off a Wildcat receiver and into the hands of Drake Cheatum for his second pick of the game. Cheatum returned the INT 62 yards for a score.

The Wildcats went on to score 14 more points in the 4th quarter but it wasn’t enough to garner BCU their first win of the season.

Queshaun Byrd ended the day with 176 yards rushing on 24 carries. It was Byrd’s 3rd 100 yard rushing game of the season. Kamari Averette collected his 3rd 100 yard receiving game and ended the day with 6 grabs and 115 yards through the air. 

Terry Sims and the Wildcats will attempt to right the ship next week when they take on Jackson State in Mississippi’s state capital.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	PVA	BCU
Total Yards	422	498
Pass Yards	290	256
Rushing Yards	132	242
Penalty Yards	6-55	7-50
1st Downs	14	27
3rd Downs	3-10	3-12
4th Downs	0-0	1-2
TOP	25:26	34:34