The number of FBS minority coaches has risen from nine to 13 in recent weeks, USA Today reported Wednesday. Two minorities earned jobs for BCS teams.
Virginia hired Mike London, the former coach of 2008 FCS champion Richmond, while Louisville hired Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong. Both will join Miami’s (Fla.) Randy Shannon as the only three minority coaches for BCS programs.
Western Kentucky named Willie Taggart its coach after it failed to win a game in its first full season in the FBS. He was the running back coach at Stanford.
Memphis picked Louisiana State running back coach Larry Porter as its coach after letting Tommy West go after nine years.
The newest group of minority coaches will look to have better success than last year’s. Eastern Michigan’s Ron English, New Mexico’s Mike Locksley and Miami’s (Ohio) Mike Haywood combined to go 2-34 this past season.
There are eight vacant coaching spots available in the 120-team FBS.
Former EMU Football player to give away books to high schoolers
Former Eastern Michigan and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Barry Stokes, along with other NFL players and officials from the Michigan Education Association, will be handing out books to high school students in Washtenaw County. The books will be distributed at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Ypsilanti High School gymnasium.
Stokes played for EMU from 1992-95 and has played for 12 teams in his NFL career. He was drafted in 1996 by the Lions and made his professional debut in NFL Europe where he started 10 games for the Scottish Claymores. He made his NFL debut on Dec. 6, 1998 with the Miami Dolphins.
Men’s basketball to host James Madison University
The men’s basketball team will play James Madison University on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
The Eagles (5-3) are coming off a 111-60 loss to Ohio State, while JMU (4-3) lost its Colonial Athletic Association opener to Georgia State. Julius Wells averages 14 points and and six rebounds for JMU.
Compiled by sports writer Kevin Pool.
