BCU at FIU Photos
Bethune-Cookman
BCU leads FIU 14-7 at the half
Bethune-Cookman takes a 14-7 lead to the half over Florida International in Miami. The Wildcats are controlling both lines of scrimmage rushing for 182 yards on offense on 25 carries. That is a whopping 7.3 yards per carry. Defensively BCU is holding the FIU offense to 2.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Anthony Jordan scored on a 58 yard TD run on BCU’s first offensive series capping off a 4 play, 91 yard drive that covered 1:28. FIU evened the score at 7 apiece on an 8 yard pass from Jake Medlock to T.J. Lowder at the 6:51 mark in the 2nd.
Cary White’s 5 yard TD run pushed BCU’s lead back to 7 and capped a 66 yard scoring drive.
Anthony Jordan is averaging 12.6 yards per rush.
BCU takes over possession when we resume play after half.
| Team Stats | COOK | FIU | |
| First Downs | 11 | 5 | |
| Total Plays | 36 | 29 | |
| Total Yards | 207 | 171 | |
| Passing | 25 | 128 | |
| Rushing | 182 | 43 | |
| Penalties | 2 / 25 | 3 / 19 | |
| Possession | 14:55 | 14:12 | |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 | |
Who Will Ascend (Week Three) at FIU
at 
Sat., Sept. 14, 2013
Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-0) travel south this weekend to take on the Florida International Panthers (0-2) in Miami on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. The Wildcats will look to improve to 3-0 on the season, 3-0 all-time against FIU, and secure its first ever win over a FBS opponent (FIU had not yet made the jump to the FBS level when the teams last meet in 2003).
Vegas Wild about the Cats
The Vegas sports betting odds opened on Monday with FIU favored by 3 points. The betting line moved 5.5 points in BCU’s favor within an hour of the spread being posted and another .5 point within 2 hours. By 3:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon, BCU had gone from 3 point underdogs to 3 point road favorites. You heard right; that is not a misprint. Vegas has a road FCS squad (BCU) favored by 3 points over a FBS team (FIU) in their home stadium. OUCH!!!
Vegas sports betting trends suggests the “wise guys” otherwise known as professional gamblers saw value in BCU and bet the line in BCU’s favor. The line has remained the same for most of the week.
The Matchup
Florida International is ranked dead last in the nation in scoring offense averaging a mere 5 points per game. Defensively the Panthers are allowing 483 yards per game and rank 108th out of 123 FBS teams. Ron Turner started 11 new players when FIU took on Maryland in week one. The team has dealt with a rash of injuries in their first 2 games of the year. The injuries are compounded by the already heavy attrition issues resulting from a tumultuous offseason in which FIU’s leading receiver, Glenn Coleman; starting running back, Kedrick Rhodes, and cornerback Richard Leonard were all ruled ineligible for academic reasons. Transfer running back Jakhari Gore was kicked off the team for off the field issues.
Meanwhile Bethune-Cookman is averaging 362 yards and 39 points per game on offense while yielding just 215 yards and 8 points per game on defense.
BCU is unbeaten in their two prior meetings with FIU defeating the Panthers 31-0 in 2002 and 24-14 in 2003. Like this season, BCU was ranked in the FCS Top 25 at the time of their prior clashes with the Panthers (#21 in 2002 and #7 in 2003).
A win on Saturday will mark the first time in the history of the BCU football program and only the 2nd time in MEAC history that a conference school has defeated a current FBS foe. Florida A&M defeated the University of Miami 16-13 in 1979.
Road Warriors
The Marching Wildcats will join the football team at Alfonso Field on Saturday. “The Pride” has performed in Nashville, Daytona, Jacksonville, and now Miami in less than 14 days. The band is also expected to travel to Tallahassee for the Florida State contest on the 21st and will soon make an appearance at Raymond James Stadium for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game according to what we are being told. Give it up for the band.
The game will be streamed live at FIUSports.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
BREAKING NEWS: HAILWILDCATS.COM 1st WATCH PARTY!
ALL WILDCAT NATION!!!!!
In a last minute deal struck between Hailwildcats.com staff and Buffalo Wild Wings of Daytona, Hailwildcats.com will host the 1st Hailwildcats.com Watch Party tonight at 8 p.m. EST when the Mighty Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University take on the Tigers of Tennessee State University on ESPN 3. We will be streaming the game live on the “BIG SCREEN” of Buffalo Wild Wings at 2479 W. International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
If you are in the Daytona area, put on your Maroon and Gold and come out and share with the Wildcat Nation in this momentous and joyous occasion and see
“Who will ascend to the top of the mountain?”
We look forward to seeing you there! Kickoff AT 8 P.M.
Tenn State Coach Rod Reed Almost got job at BCU
Nashville– Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee State fans alike would have a hard time imagining anyone other than Brian Jenkins and Rod Reed roaming the sidelines of their respective programs over the past 3 seasons. But four years ago, Rod Reed stood at a crossroads in his football coaching career that could have changed the portrait of both programs.
Credits – TSUTigers – TSU Head Coach Rod Reed
Reed had emerged as a finalist for the head coaching position at Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman.
He’d spent four seasons as linebackers coach at Bethune-Cookman, met his wife there and liked living in Daytona Beach, Fla.
But TSU was his alma mater, and when athletics director Teresa Phillips offered to promote him from the Tigers’ defensive coordinator to the top job, he accepted.
Bethune-Cookman eventually hired Brian Jenkins, who has led the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons, including last year’s 9-3 record.
TSU and Bethune-Cookman meet at 8 p.m. today in the John Merritt Classic at LP Field in what will be an emotional game for Reed, who has so many connections with both programs.
“I am sure I would have been happy as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman. I like the school and I like the people there,” Reed said. “I went down there when the head coaching position was open, came back and interviewed with TSU, and the next day I was the coach here.”
Reed’s second college coaching position was at Bethune-Cookman (1992-95), and it was during his time there when he developed the desire to be a head coach — so much so he was willing to leave the college ranks in 1996 to take the head coaching job at Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, Fla.
In 2000, he returned to college coaching at East Texas Baptist and three years later became TSU’s defensive coordinator.
Reed left a strong impression at Bethune-Cookman.
Continue Reading: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130901/SPORTS06/309010059/TSU-coach-Rod-Reed-almost-got-job-Bethune-Cookman?nclick_check=1
Who Will Ascend – (Week 1) #20 BCU at Tennessee State
Credits: BCU Athletics
In the spirit of Bethune-Cookman’s legacy of faith…THANK YOU JESUS IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON.
In less than 36 hours, the 2013 edition of the Fighting Wildcats will square off against Tennessee State in one of the most anticipated matchups of the HBCU season. BCU will look to jumpstart its season and proclaim to the HBCU and FCS football world that they are worthy of the preseason hype.
When the Wildcats are on Defense
BCU return 7 starters to a defensive unit that led the nation in turnovers and ranked 7th nationally in Total Defense a season ago. Among those expected to impact Sunday’s contest are 2013 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Jarkevis Fields (103 tackles, 4 BU, 4 PD); All-American defensive end LeBrandon Richardson (53 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 13 TFL); and All-American safety Nick Addison (68 tackles, 4 INT, 7 BU, 11 PD). The Wildcat D will look to make the Tennessee State offense, who will be without starting quarterback Michael German (suspension), one-dimensional. Redshirt freshman and Tallahassee native Ronald Butler has been named as German’s replacement.
Butler will take snaps behind an experienced offensive line which includes All-OVC left guard Kadeem Edwards and All-American tight-end and former University of Florida signee A.C. Leonard. New Smyrna High School product Telvin Hooks is expected to take over the starting running back duties for Tenn. State. In a twist of irony, Tennessee State’s key offensive starters are all native Floridians: Butler (QB-Tallahassee), Edwards (OL-Sanford), Leonard (TE-Jacksonville), Hooks (New Smyrna Beach).
Key Matchup #1: BCU’s Front Seven vs. TSU’s running game
The football adage suggests great defenses take away something from the opposing offense. Can Yogi Jones’ defensive front seven control the TSU running game and force redshirt freshman quarterback Ronald Butler to beat them with his arm?
Key Matchup #2: Nick Addison vs. A.C. Leonard
BCU’s All-American safety Nick Addison and Tenn. State’s All-American tight end A.C. Leonard are sure to lock horns throughout this contest. Conventional wisdom suggests Leonard will be the primary pass receiving option for TSU’s young quarterback. On the second play of last year’s contest, Leonard’s 80 catch and run setup TSU’s first score. BCU defenders, Addison chief among them, must account for Leonard in the passing game and limit his big play ability.
When the Wildcats are on Offense
MEAC Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year Isidore Jackson has gained more rushing yards than any running back in BCU history. Jackson’s 2,449 career rushing yards only trails Allen Suber and Pa’Tell Troutman (both of whom were option quarterbacks) on the school’s all-time rushing list. Jackson is expected to be joined in the backfield by Anthony Jordan. The one-two punch of Jackson and Jordan provides the Wildcats with great mix of physicality and elusiveness in their rushing attack.
BCU’s two depth chart, released earlier this week, did not clearly reveal who will start the game under center. The starting quarterback for this contest was listed as Quentin Williams –or- Brock Waters –or- Jackie Wilson. Expect two (if not all three) of the aforementioned quarterbacks to see the field in some capacity on Sunday. Quentin Williams ended last season with the best numbers statistically (1163 yards on 85 of 142 attempts, 11 TDs, 2 INTs—445 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs), however, it appears that both Wilson and Waters have had good preseason practices and have earned the right to be considered for the top position on the depth chart along with Williams.
Eddie Poole returns on the outside for what will be his 6th year of eligibility. Poole, who was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA, has caught a pass in every game of his BCU playing career (35). The former Rutgers man will look to extend his consecutive game pass catching streak and take advantage of the single coverage he is sure to see during stretches on Sunday. Preston Cleckly, Jhomo Gordon, and Justin Henderson will also have opportunities to make an impact in the passing game.
Perhaps the most important unit to watch during Sunday’s contest is the Bethune-Cookman offensive line. All-MEAC performer Alex Monroe will look to anchor a unit featuring at least 3 new starters.
Tennessee State’s defense was tops in the OVC and returns all 11 starters from a season ago. Top performers returning to the Tiger defense include All-OVC performers Stephen Godbolt (CB), Daniel Fitzpatrick (safety), and Nick Thrasher (LB).
Key Matchups #1: BCU offensive line vs. Tenn. State’s blitz package
TSU simply did not respect BCU’s passing game during last season’s meeting. The Tiger’s loaded the box and run blitzed the Wildcats for the better part of 4 quarters. Will the young BCU offensive line gel quick enough to create seams for the running game and protection in the passing game?
Key Matchup #2: Eddie Poole vs. Stephen Godbolt
This is a matchup of two of the best athletes and players at their respective positions in all of HBCU football. The winner of this individual matchup may very well dictate their respective team’s play-calling ability throughout this contest.
Other Notes:
- Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee State played annually from 1982-1987 with TSU winning 5 of the 6 contests. The series was revived in 2012 and played before a near capacity crowd in Daytona Beach. TSU defeated the Wildcats 21-14 in last year’s contest to improve their series advantage to 6 games to 1. Bethune-Cookman’s lone victory against TSU occurred the last time the two teams faced off in Nashville in a 16-13 Wildcat win (1987). Although TSU holds a decisive head-to-head advantage, the series has been very competitive with 5 of the 7 matchups being decided by 7 points or less.
- Isidore Jackson is just 449 yards away from becoming Bethune-Cookman’s all-time leading rusher.
- The Marching Wildcats will be in attendance.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (EST). The game can be viewed live on ESPN3 or the WatchESPN app; click here for link http://es.pn/BCUvsTNST.
- Fans who plan to attend should familiarize themselves with LP Field’s Game Day Bag Policy Information.
Wildcats predicted to repeat; J. Fields and I. Jackson earn Player of the Year Honors
BCU LB – Jarkevis Fields
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced on Friday at its annual Press Luncheon that defending conference champion, Bethune-Cookman, earned 16 of the 21 first place votes casted and were predicted to repeat as conference champions. The Wildcats have won 14 consecutive games in conference including 8 straight in 2012.
In addition to the team accolades, linebacker Jarkevis Fields and running back Isidore Jackson were selected as Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Offensive Player of the Year respectively.
Fields, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Sanford, Fla., led the Wildcats in tackles in both 2011 and 2012. Last season he registered 103 tackles, six tackles for losses and a sack; and he helped pace a defense that finished 7th nationally in Total Defense (301.42 ypg); 10th nationally in Scoring Defense (18.25 ppg), and 1st nationally in Turnovers Gained (36).
Jackson, 5-10, 205-pound from running back Mossy Head, Fla., eclipsed the 1,000 rushing mark in 2012 and spearheaded the MEAC’s top rushing attack (244 ypg); top Total Offense (387.9 ypg); and top Scoring Offense (29.4 ppg). Jackson and FAMU quarterback Damien Flemming were named Co-Offensive Player of Year.
Joining Isidore Jackson and Jarkevis Fields on the MEAC’s first team All-Conference were offensive lineman Alex Monroe, defensive back Nick Addison, and defensive end LeBrandon Richardson. Wide receiver Eddie Poole landed on the second team for offense, and defensive lineman Tevin Toney received honorable mention awards.
2013 Predicted Order of Finish
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
School Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (16) 480 2. South Carolina State (2) 365 3. North Carolina A&T 302 4. North Carolina Central 260 5. Florida A&M 250 6. Howard 227 7. Norfolk State (1) 222 8. Delaware State 201 9. Hampton (1) 196 10. Morgan State 113 11. Savannah State (1) 522013 Football All-Conference Preseason Teams
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Damien Flemming, Florida A&M and Isidore Jackson, Bethune-Cookman
Defensive Player of the Year: Jarkevis Fields, Bethune-Cookman
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| QB | Damien Fleming | Jr. | Florida A&M | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| RB | Isidore Jackson | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Mossy Head, Fla. |
| RB* | Malcolm Williams | Jr. | Delaware State | Reading, Pa. |
| RB* | James Owens | r-Sr. | Florida A&M | Apopka, Fla. |
| WR | Lenworth Lennon | r-Jr. | Florida A&M | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. |
| WR | Simon Hewyard | Sr. | Savannah State | Savannah, Ga. |
| TE | Joseph Hawkins | r-Sr. | Norfolk State | Chicago, Ill. |
| C | Brandon Cunningham | Sr. | Delaware State | Lumberton, N.J. |
| OL | Alex Monroe | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| OL | Kevin House | r-Jr. | Florida A&M | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| OL | Zerrie Patterson | So. | Florida A&M | Fort Pierce, Fla. |
| OL | Joshua Matthews | Sr. | Howard | Bowman, S.C. |
| DEFENSE | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| DL | LeBrandon Richardson | Jr. | Bethune-Cookman | Miami, Fla. |
| DL | Damon Gresham Chisholm | So. | Howard | Covington, Ga. |
| DL | Rodney Gunter | Jr. | Delaware State | Haines, Fla. |
| DL | Javon Hargrave | So. | South Carolina State | Salisbury, N.C. |
| LB | Jarkevis Fields | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Sanford, Fla. |
| LB | Ernest Adjei | Sr. | Delaware State | Woodbridge, Va. |
| LB | Lynden Trail | r-Jr. | Norfolk State | Miami, Fla. |
| DB | Nick Addison | Jr. | Bethune-Cookman | Tampa, Fla. |
| DB | Julien David | Sr. | Howard | Coral Springs, Fla. |
| DB | D’Vonte Graham | Sr. | North Carolina A&T | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| DB | Terrick Colston | So. | Delaware State | Lakeland, Fla. |
| P | Nick Belcher | r-Sr. | South Carolina State | Sumter, S.C. |
| PK | Chase Varnadore | r-So. | Florida A&M | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| RS | D’Vonte Graham | Sr. | North Carolina A&T | Charlotte, N.C. |
| Second Team | ||||
| OFFENSE | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| QB | Jordan Reid | r-Sr. | North Carolina Central | High Point, N.C. |
| RB | Aquanius Freeman | Jr. | Howard | New Orleans, La. |
| RB | Brendon Riddick | r-So. | Norfolk State | Richmond, Va. |
| WR | Eddie Poole | Grad. | Bethune-Cookman | Belle Glade, Fla. |
| WR | Derrick Demps | r-Sr. | Norfolk State | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| TE | David Wilson | Sr. | Howard | Sacramento, Calif. |
| C | Ronald Canty | r-Jr. | North Carolina A&T | Chester, S.C. |
| OL | John Smith | r-So. | Howard | Atlanta, Ga. |
| OL | Jamal Wilson | r-Sr. | Hampton | Brooklyn, N.Y. |
| OL | Williams Robinson | r-Jr. | North Carolina A&T | Clinton, Md. |
| OL | Charles Goodwin | r-Sr. | North Carolina Central | High Point, N.C. |
| DEFENSE | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| DL | Tyree Hearn | Sr. | North Carolina A&T | Durham, N.C. |
| DL | George Riddick | Jr. | Norfolk State | Suffolk, Va. |
| DL | Matthew Davis | Sr. | Hampton | Chesapeake, Va. |
| DL | Demarco Bisbee | r-So. | Morgan State | Lansing, Mich. |
| LB | D’Vonte Grant | Sr. | North Carolina A&T | Charlotte, N.C. |
| LB | Justin Hughes | Jr. | South Carolina State | Virginia Beach, Va. |
| LB | Travis Crosby | Sr. | North Carolina A&T | Charlotte, N.C. |
| DB | Davon Moore | Jr. | Delaware State | Mt. Vernon, N.Y. |
| DB | Joe Rankin | Sr. | Morgan State | Germantown, Md. |
| DB | Ryan Smith | r-So. | North Carolina Central | Upper Marlboro, Md. |
| DB* | John Wilson | Sr. | Savannah State | Athens, Ga. |
| DB* | Jonathan Pillow | r-Sr. | Florida A&M | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| P | Matthew Cornellus | r-Sr. | North Carolina Central | Charlotte, N.C. |
| PK | Oleg Parent | Jr. | North Carolina Central | Lake Forest, Calif. |
| RS | James Owens | r-Sr. | Florida A&M | Apopka, Fla. |
| Third Team | ||||
| OFFENSE | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| QB | Nico Flores | r-Sr. | Norfolk State | Miami, Fla. |
| RB | Dae-Hon Cheung | So. | Delaware State | Coatesville, Pa. |
| RB | Conley Smith | So. | Norfolk State | Chesapeake, Va. |
| WR | Tyler McDonald | Sr. | South Carolina State | Summerville, SC |
| WR | Dylan Cook | Sr. | Savannah State | Hiram, Ga. |
| TE | Kris Drummond | Jr. | Savannah State | Washington, D.C. |
| C | Doug Almendares | Sr. | Florida A&M | Miami, Fla. |
| OL | Domanic Wilson | r-Jr. | South Carolina State | Lake City, SC |
| OL | Karim Barton | Sr. | Morgan State | Los Angeles, Calif. |
| OL | E.J. Rogers | r-Jr. | Norfolk State | Alexandria, Va. |
| OL | Cameron Williams | r-Sr. | Norfolk State | Burke, Va. |
| DEFENSE | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | School | Hometown |
| DL | Andrew Carter | r-Jr. | South Carolina State | Hamlet, NC |
| DL | Tevin Toney | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Sebring, Fla. |
| DL | Micah Blount | Sr. | Savannah State | Stone Mountain, Ga. |
| DL* | Chikezie Ukeje | Sr. | Delaware State | Stanten Island, N.Y. |
| DL* | Noel Clarke Jr. | Jr. | Norfolk State | Brooklyn, N.Y. |
| LB | Christopher Robinson | r-Jr. | Morgan State | Germantown, Md. |
| LB | Joe Boyd | Sr. | Delaware State | Ft. Washington, Md. |
| LB | Brandon Denmark | Sr. | Florida A&M | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| DB | Keenan Lambert | r-Jr. | Norfolk State | Norfolk, Va. |
| DB | Nathan Ayers | Jr. | Morgan State | Baltimore, Md. |
| DB | Devontae Johnson | r-Jr. | Florida A&M | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| DB | Carvin Johnson | Sr. | Hampton | New Orleans, La. |
| PK | Nick Belcher | r-Sr. | South Carolina State | Sumter, SC |
| RS | Chris Flowers | Sr. | Morgan State | Haines City, Fla. |
*indicates tie
Jarkevis Fields named to 2013 preseason CFPA Award Watch List
Jarkevis Fields
Senior linebacker Jarkevis Fields has been named to the 2013 preseason CFPA Award Watch List.
Fields led Bethune-Cookman in tackles with a 103 last season picking up first team All-MEAC honors in the process. In 2011, the senior from Sanford Seminole High School led the team with 76 tackles.
Fields is the fourth Bethune-Cookman player to be named to the 2013 preseason CFPA Award Watch List. Quarterback Brodrick Waters, tight end Justin Henderson, and defensive end LeBrandon Richardson have also been named to the CFPA Award Watch List.
According to their website, “the goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.”
BCU ranked 17th in Lindy’s Preseason Top 25
LeBrandon Richardson -HailWildcats.com
Bethune-Cookman picked up its first national ranking of the 2013 season when Lindy’s Magazine ranked the Wildcats 17th in their initial FCS Preseason Poll.
BCU finished 9-3 last season (8-0 in MEAC play) securing its fifth MEAC title and an FCS playoff berth in the process.
Eight offensive starters return from last year’s squad including 1,000 yard rusher Isidore Jackson, leading receiver Eddie Poole and All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney. The Wildcats lead the MEAC in total offense (4,665 yards), rushing offense (2,928 yards), and points per game (29.4) in 2012.
Seven starters, including leading tackler Jarkevis Fields and top sack man LeBrandon Richardson, return to the defensive unit. Last year BCU caused an FCS best 36 takeaways and ranked 7th nationally in total defense (301.42 yards per game).
The Cats open up the 2013 campaign with a trip to Nashville to face off against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Sunday, September 1st. Other marquee games include a September 14th matchup with Florida International, a first ever engagement with Florida State on September 21st, a homecoming showdown with South Carolina State on October 26th, and the Florida Classic on November 23rd.
Lindy’s Top 25:
1. North Dakota State 2. Georgia Southern 3. Montana State 4. South Dakota State 5. Wofford 6. Eastern Washington 7. Central Arkansas 8. Towson 9. Villanova 10. Sam Houston State 11. New Hampshire 12. Appalachian State 13. Northern Iowa 14. Stony Brook 15. Coastal Carolina 16. Northern Arizona 17. Bethune-Cookman 18. Eastern Illinois 19. Youngstown State 20. Chattanooga 21. Richmond 22. Illinois St 23. Montana 24. Wagner 25. Tennessee State
1. North Dakota State 2. Georgia Southern 3. Montana State 4. South Dakota State 5. Wofford 6. Eastern Washington 7. Central Arkansas 8. Towson 9. Villanova 10. Sam Houston State 11. New Hampshire 12. Appalachian State 13. Northern Iowa 14. Stony Brook 15. Coastal Carolina 16. Northern Arizona 17. Bethune-Cookman 18. Eastern Illinois 19. Youngstown State 20. Chattanooga 21. Richmond 22. Illinois St 23. Montana 24. Wagner 25. Tennessee State
Alvin “Shine” Wyatt awarded $771,000, lose age discrimination suit
On Wednesday afternoon, Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Terence Perkins ordered that Bethune-Cookman pay former head coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt nearly $771,000 in restitution stemming from a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against the university in 2010.
Wyatt flamboyantly patrolled the sidelines of Municipal Stadium as Bethune-Cookman’s “head ball coach” from 1997-2009. Wyatt accumulated a 90-54 record during his 13 year tenure and surpassed the legendary Rudolph “Bunky” Matthews as BCU’s all-time winningest coach.
Wyatt’s teams finished at 5-6 in three of his final four seasons and suffered drubbings (58-35 in 2008 and 42-6 in 2009) at the hands of in-state rival Florida A&M in his final two seasons at the helm. He was unceremoniously fired by then BCU President Trudie Kibbe Reed at the conclusion of the 2009 season.
The now 65 year old coach sued the university in 2010 claiming breach of contract. He stated in his suit that he was “wrongfully terminated without cause and without written notice as required in his contract”. Wyatt also cited age discrimination as motive for his firing and sought $1.2 million in damages.
Judge Terence Perkins ruled that the university had in fact breached Wyatt’s contract and awarded him $771,000 in restitution. The payment represents four years of salary, other guaranteed income, and retirement match contributions Wyatt’s existing contract would have paid him had he not been wrongfully terminated.
Judge Perkins ruled against Wyatt in his age discrimination claim against the university stating that no evidence of age discrimination was provided.
Wyatt graduated from Bethune-Cookman in 1970 and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders later that same year. He spent five years in the NFL and World Football League before joining the BCU coaching staff as a defensive backs coach in 1975. For 31 of the next 34 years, Wyatt held various positions on the BCU football staff including defensive backs coach, linebackers coach, defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and head coach.
In 1998, Wyatt led BCU to its first winning season since 1985. He guided the Wildcats to their first ever playoff appearance in 2002 and returned to the NCAA playoffs for a second time a year later.
Wyatt coached a bevy of players who went on to play in the professional ranks among whom include NFL pro-bowlers Nick Collins (Green Bay), Rashean Mathis (Jacksonville), and Eric Weems (Atlanta). Other professional players coached by Wyatt include Steve Baggs, Damion Cook, Allen Suber, Anthony Bass and others.
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