ray martin

All-American Tackle Terrance Hackney Academically Ineligible

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

The Bethune-Cookman football team will be without the services of All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney when they take to the gridiron this season. Sources close to the program have stated Hackney is academically ineligible this season.

The 6-6, 310 pound junior from Chapel Hill, NC helped anchor the MEAC’s top offense in 2012 and earned numerous All-American honors including Lindy’s 2013 Preseason All-FCS First Team and Sports Network 2013 All-FCS Second Team recognition.

Sources state an official release regarding Hackney’s status is expected on Monday.

Additionally, class of 2012 signee and highly regarded wide receiver Ray Martin has also left the program. According to online reports, Martin has transferred to Fresno City College in California

Brian Jenkins developing winners on and off the field

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Brian Jenkins

In the two short years that Brian Jenkins has been at the helm of the Bethune-Cookman football team, he has proven two things beyond question:

1. He is an excellent football coach.
2. He is an extremely passionate individual.

The third year head coach’s passion was on clear display at Sunday’s Media Day Event when discussing two specific topics: (a) his commitment to develop his players into responsible, productive men; and (b) how much he hates losing. 

The Wildcats are 18-5 under coach Jenkins’ leadership and they enter the season ranked as high as 14th nationally in one pre-season publication.  However, Coach Jenkins repeatedly and emphatically stated that “our program is about more than winning football games”.

“I love my guys and I will shout it from the mountain top”.  “We have a program that’s dedicated to building men.  It makes you feel good to know that your program is looked upon nationally for not just your football accomplishments, but for building young people also”.

The Wildcat football program received the FCS ADA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award for being the Most Improved Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) school after improving to an APR score of 935 during the 2010-11 school year.

Several members of the squad have even already graduated and are enrolled in graduate school.   

Coach Jenkins’ fatherly influence extends far beyond the playing field and classrooms of his players; it also reaches into their family lives.

“I’ve got a lot of young father’s on this team.  We often counsel with them and tell them that there is no reason that you should not be there for your child.  You don’t let a team meeting or anything else affect that.  You got a lot of fathers that bring their kids to study hall and team meetings.  We have some ladies that work in our front office who offer babysitting to our guys so they can study and stay on topic”.

True freshmen Ray Martin of Sanford Seminole High School chose BCU over several BCS schools including Ole Miss and West Virginia.  Martin cited the pro-family environment established by Coach Jenkins as one of the primary appeals in his decision to sign with BCU.

“We try to provide a strong family for our team” Coach Jenkins stated.  “Our wives are heavily involved and they try to teach some of our players parenting skills”. 

At least two of BCU’s football players are single fathers who have sole custody of their children.

Coach Jenkins said “I am very proud of my guys for taking on their responsibility of being a (single) father in spite of playing a college sport and for maintaining a high level of both. So in my book I’m a grandfather and I couldn’t be more proud of them”.

“I love this team and my players so much.  They are not all angels.  They make mistakes but they don’t make excuses.  They give me all that I ask of them in every aspect”.

Coach Jenkins’ affinity for his players extends to his former players as well.  When asked about the team’s newest graduate assistant, (former BCU QB) Matt Johnson, Coach Jenkins liken him to “a friend that you bring home and feed once but then you can’t get rid of them”.  He went on to praise Matt Johnson’s accomplishments on and off the field namely being named as BCU’s first Jake Gaither award winner in 2010 for his on the field production as well as being recognized by the University as “Business Student of the Year” for his work in the classroom that same year.  He went on to state that Matt Johnson has “walked in the direction that they are trying to get the (current) players to walk in.  He is living what he has learned (as a BCU football player) and he’s done a tremendous job in life and with our quarterbacks”.

—“I hate to lose and hate is a strong word”— Brian Jenkins

The fatherly passion and care that was evident when speaking about his players quickly gave way to the intense and poignant side of BCU’s head ball coach when asked what would define a successful season for his squad.  “Win a national championship!!! Anything less is unacceptable”.

“Everybody is jumping around saying 8-3–you did good last year.  To hell with that.  Those 3 (losses) bother me a lot more than those 8 (wins).  The numbers look good but a national championship would feel a whole lot better.  I didn’t just take this job as a stepping stone or to build stats. We want to win a national championship and that’s what we work towards every day in every way! I let them (the players) know from day one.  We want to win a national championship.  It’s a dirty, grueling, ugly, hard process and you have to be willing to go through it.  I tell my guys that if you’re not willing (to go through the process of becoming a national champion) then leave, go somewhere else.  This might not be the place for you.  There are no bones, no mistakes, no false statements about it; our goal is to win the national championship”.

When asked if the Wildcats needed to upgrade their schedule to assist in reaching the goal of winning a national championship since the MEAC has gone so long without winning a playoff game the coach responded: “we do need to do a better job of winning in the playoffs but when you upgrade your schedule and then you have the record that you’re supposed to have, then they find a way to overlook you, is that the MEAC’s fault?  Let’s call it what it is.  People want to talk around it.  There are some teams that have been placed in the playoffs whose schedule is not ‘King Kong’. Of course you want to schedule (FCS) playoff teams (during the regular season), but do they want to do that.  (Sometimes we) make a phone call and they say that they will get back to you, but they never call you back.  What do you do in those situations?  I tell my guys to win them all and you won’t have to worry about it”.

The Wildcats will get their chance to win the first one of the 2012 season when they face off against Alabama State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando on Sunday, September 2nd at 12:00.

5 Questions heading into Bethune-Cookman football camp

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

BCU’s 2012 football season officially kicked off on Thursday morning with the opening of Fall camp at the New Smyrna Sports Complex.  The new season brings with it a ton of excitement, high expectations, and the challenges of the unknown.

Here are 5 of our most pressing questions heading into camp.

1. Who will be the Wildcat’s primary signal caller this year?

Coming out of Spring practice, Jackie Wilson was tops on the Wildcats’ depth chart at quarterback.  Wilson completed over 66% of his pass attempts last year and was undefeated as a starter against FCS competition. The 6’0”, 215 pound Junior from Ft Lauderdale is expected to be pushed for the starting nod by Louisiana Tech transfer, Brock Waters (Sr.) and redshirt Freshman and 2010 Florida Mr. Football, Quentin Williams. 

Waters seems to be the best of the three with his legs, Williams with his arm, and Wilson the best dual threat.

2. Which newcomer will have the greatest impact on the squad?

Many HBCU pundits rated Bethune-Cookman’s 2012 signing class as the best in all of black college football.  Several of the 2012 signees will have a chance to step in and contribute right away.  Here are a few of the new faces that we’ll be watching closely. 

–Brandon Bryant, UCF transfer, has tremendous ability and could step in and fill one of the vacated defensive end slots right away.

–Brock Waters, La Tech transfer, is a versatile athlete who can play any of the three offensive skill positions (QB, RB, and WR).  

–Ray Martin is an explosive WR/return specialist from Sanford Seminole high school.  Martin was a bona fide playmaker at the high school level and a threat to “break one” at any time.

3. Will the Wildcats be able to compensate for the loss of six defensive starters from a year ago?

This year’s defensive unit may be more athletic, faster, and deeper than last year’s defensive group. The problem is this year’s defensive unit is far less experienced.

Gone are six starters from a year ago, three of whom are currently on NFL rosters (Ryan Davis-Jaguars, Jean Fanor-Chiefs, and Ryan Lewis-Dolphins). 

Defensive lineman Harold Love III, linebacker Jarkevis Fields, and safety DJ Howard are all 2012 Preseason All-MEAC selectees.  Love, Fields and Howard are proven playmakers at all three levels of the defense (line, linebackers, and secondary).  The trio will need to provide leadership and stability to those around them and help facilitate the growth of players like Brandon Bryant, Tavarus Dantzler, and Nick Addison. 

4. Will the Cats win their first ever FCS playoff game?

Bethune-Cookman is 0’fer in FCS playoff games and the MEAC is 0 for its last 12 in the FCS playoffs.  This year seems as good as any to finally break those dubious streaks.  But before the Wildcats can hope to win a playoff game, they must first navigate an arduous schedule and win the conference’s automatic qualifier.

The Cats first four conference matchups are against powerhouse South Carolina State (09/08), Hampton (09/29), North Carolina A&T (10/06), and Norfolk State (10/20).  BCU fell to SCSU and NCA&T last season, they narrowly escaped Hampton thanks to a replay decision after regulation time expired, and NSU is the defending conference champion.  YIKES!

5. Will the institution and the City of Daytona Beach resolve the issue surrounding the $3 surcharge added to game tickets before the season begins?

The City of Daytona, in hopes to offset the cost of installing the synthetic playing surface at Municipal Stadium, has once again proposed that a $3 surcharge be added to each BCU game ticket.   The school has offered a counter-proposal which the City is said to be reviewing. 

Neither side can afford to have this issue linger very long.  An unused stadium (and consequently unsold hotel rooms and fewer dollars spent at local restaurants, retail outfits, and gas stations) serves no benefit to the City of Daytona Beach. And changing venues this close to the start of the season would be a logistical nightmare for BCU. 

Let’s hope that an amicable solution can be reached in the coming days.

Video Highlights of the 2012 Signing Class

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Ray Martin (Fr.) – WR – 5’10” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – Seminole High School

*Tyrone Bouie (r-So.) – DB – 6’0” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – University of Minnesota

Dariusz Bladek (Fr.) – OL – 6’4” – 300 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Poinciana High School

*Rashard Brown (Jr.) – OL – 6’1” – 305 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Georgia Military College

Tevin Gordon (Fr.) – Safety – 6’3” – 175 – DeLand, Fla. – DeLand High School

Terry Harden, Jr. (Fr.) – DB – 6’1” – 185 – Hollywood, Fla. – Hollywood Hills High

*Brodrick Waters (Sr.) – WR – 5’11” – 195 – Sarasota, Fla. – Louisiana Tech

Isaiah Riddle (Fr.) – LB – 6’1” – 235 – Newnan, Ga. – Atlanta Sports Academy

LeBranden Richardson (So.) – Defensive End – 6’2” – 237 – Miami, Fla. – Central Florida

Bethune Cookman 2012 Signing Class

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Third year head coach Brian Jenkins could hardly hold back his radiant and infectious smile when announcing what could be the best signing class of his brief tenure at Bethune Cookman.  The nearly 100 Wildcat supporters who attended the Signing Day Bash clapped and cheered as coach Jenkins highligted 15 new additions to the Fighting Wildcat football team.  8 of the 15 signees revealed on Wednesday night are already enrolled in classes and are slated to participate in Spring practice.

Stacking the Chips and Building for the Future

Although many pundits believe that it takes a minimum of three years to accurately rate a recruiting class, coach Jenkins has already labled this class a success.  Coach Jenkins stated:

“We were able to address our areas of need, build depth, sign all by 2 or 3 of the players that we targeted, as well as find some immediate (impact) players.  I can already call this class a success.  There is no need to wait for 2 or 3 years.”  He went on to state: “And this is only the first half of our signing class.  We got guys with more girth and guys who are longer on the offensive line.  We got taller in the secondary.  We got more explosive at wide receiver.”

“We’re stacking the chips and building for the future.  And there is still more to come.  I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve that will be revealed at a later time.”

The 15 signees include 2 defensive linemen; 4 defensive backs, 1 linebacker, 6 offensive linemen, and 2 wide receivers.  Expect 4 or 5 additional signees before the kickoff of Fall practice.

The 2012 BCU Football Signing Class (as of February1, 2012) is as follows:

*=Mid-Year Transfer Already Attending Bethune Cookman

Defensive Line 

*Brandon Bryant (Jr.) – Defensive Line – 6’4” – 290 – Atlanta, Ga. – Central Florida

LeBranden Richardson (So.) – Defensive End – 6’2” – 237 – Miami, Fla. – Central Florida

Defensive Back

*Tyrone Bouie (r-So.) – Defensive Back – 6’0” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – University of Minnesota

*Derek Carter (r-Jr.) – Defensive Back – 6’0” – 200 – Sunrise, Fla. – Central Michigan

Tevin Gordon (Fr.) – Safety – 6’3” – 175 – DeLand, Fla. – DeLand High School

“Terry Harden, Jr. (Fr.) – Defensive Back – 6’1” – 185 – Hollywood, Fla. – Hollywood Hills High School

Offensive Line

 Trevin Huff (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4” – 270 – Tallahassee, Fla. – Tallahassee Lincoln High School 

*Mike Jones (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’7” – 300 – Chatham, Va. – Hargrave Military

Dariusz Bladek (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4” – 300 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Poinciana High School

*Rashard Brown (Jr.) – Offensive Line – 6’1” – 305 – Kissimmee, Fla. – Georgia Military College

Jamel Turner (Jr.) – Tight End – 6’4” – 230 – Chicago, Ill. – Reedly College

Tim Nicholas (Fr.) – Offensive Line – 6’4 – 275 – Hollywood, Fla. – Chaminade-Madonna Prep

Wide Receiver

Ray Martin (Fr.) – Wide Receiver – 5’10” – 180 – Sanford, Fla. – Seminole High School

*Brodrick Waters (Sr.) – Wide Receiver – 5’11” – 195 – Sarasota, Fla. – Louisiana Tech

Linebackers

Isaiah Riddle (Fr.) – Linebacker – 6’1” – 235 – Newnan, Ga. – Atlanta Sports Academy