GSU’s Robinson named interim coach

By Uba Okereke

Grambling State University (GSU) appointed on Feb. 4 linebackers coach Andre Robinson to interim head coach, according to sources.  Robinson, GSU alum and an outstanding linebacker in his own right had been the Tigers’ linebackers coach since 2004.

From 1977 to 1981, Robinson helped the HBCU win three consecutive SWAC football championships and was a consensus All-American the following year. Athletic Director Lin Dawson said that Robinson links the legacy of the late Eddie Robinson to the present championship era.

The university announced that it is launching a search for a permanent head coach. President Frank G. Pogue also stated that Grambling State University relishes in the finest reputation in athletics of any other HBCU in the country.

Robinson said that it was an honor to step in as interim coach. He replaces outgoing coach Rod Broadway who left to take a coaching job at North Carolina A&T.

HBCU Alums elected to NFL Hall of Fame

Tennessee State University’s Richard Dent and Savannah State University’s Shannon Sharpe were elected to the NFL Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Sharpe, a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos finished his illustrious 14 year career leading every offensive category as a tight end. Sharpe was an eight-time Pro Bowler and won three Super Bowls with both the Broncos and Ravens.

When Dent, a Super Bowl XX MVP, finished his career, he was third on the all-time sack list, was voted to four Pro Bowls, was named all-pro four times and won two Super Bowl rings, one with the Bears and the 49ers.

Dent and Sharpe are the first members of their respective schools to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and bring the grand total of HBCU alumni in the Hall to 23. Both will be inducted into the Hall on Aug. 6.

The two join a Hall of Fame class that includes Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, and Ed Sabol.

Jackson State athletic director retires

Jackson State University (JSU) announced on Monday that Athletic Director Bob Braddy officially retired as head of the athletic department. It took effect Feb. 1.

Braddy served as the athletic director for the last five years and coached the baseball team for 28 years, winning 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships. He holds the record for most wins at the HBCU in SWAC history.

The retirement came sooner than expected as he was to leave in the summer when his contract expired. Braddy spent much of his time caring for his sick wife. Special assistant to JSU president Robert Walker will serve as interim athletic director. Walker was a former chief administrative officer for the city of Jackson, Miss. He also taught at Jackson State as a history professor.

Braddy was to originally retire in July 2010 but stayed on to avoid having vacancies at president and athletic director. A JSU spokesman says that there is currently no search for Braddy’s replacement. The retiring athletic director’s final decisions were highly under scrutiny by the JSU fan base.

He opted not to give head coach Rick Comegy a contract extension following their 8-3 season. In addition, Braddy added NAIA school Concordia College as JSU’s 2011 season opener.