Head Coach Oliver Buddy Pough Assistant Coaches Football Support Staff HEAD FOOTBALL COACH One of the premier coaches in the MidEastern Athletic Conference during his tenure at South Carolina State, Buddy Pough continues to keep the Bulldogs among the MEAC elite year in and year out. A veteran coach who has enjoyed success at every level, Pough hopes that this season will be the year for the Bulldogs to earn their first outright MEAC title and their second league championship overall under his tutelage, along with a trip to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoffs for the first time in over two decades. Since taking over the reigns at his alma mater six years ago, Pough has turned the Bulldogs into perennial contenders for the MEAC crown and a national ranking in Division I-AA. The SC State alum has compiled a six-year 47-21 overall record and a 35-12 mark in the MEAC, with a co-championship in 2004. In 2007, SC State was 7-4 overall and finished 6-2 in the MEAC to tie for second in the league race. Pough posted a 7-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in the MEAC in his inaugural season in 2002 and has had a winning cam- Poughs Year-by-Year Records Season 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total W 7 8 9 9 7 7 47 L 5 4 2 2 4 4 21 % .583 .667 .818 .818 .600 .600 Poughs MEAC Records Season 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total W 4 6 6 7 6 6 35 L 4 2 1 1 2 2 12 % .500 .800 .857 .875 .800 .800 Pough’s Records vs. Opponents Opponent W UCF Benedict Bethune-Cookman Clemson Winston-Salem State Norfolk State Florida A&M Hampton Delaware State First Meeting 3 0 3 3 First Meeting 3 0 5 1 5 0 3 3 3 3 SC State University L % 1.000 .500 Opponent W Howard 5 Morgan State 5 North Carolina A&T 6 Total L % 1 1 0 .833 .833 1.000 1.000 .833 1.000 .500 .500 34 paign in each of his six seasons. In 2003, he guided the Bulldogs to an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in MEAC play, losing only to Hampton and Bethune-Cookman. The team’s effort left the Bulldogs in a three-way tie for second place in the MEAC final standings. The 2004 season was arguably one of the team’s best under Pough, as the Bulldogs produced the first of two consecutive 9-2 seasons. SC State was 6-1 in MEAC play that season, tying the Hampton Pirates for the 2004 championship. In 2005, Pough’s team duplicated the 9-2 record of the previous year and improved to 7-1 in the MEAC, with the sole MEAC loss coming at the hands of eventual champion and nationally-ranked Hampton. The Bulldogs were especially dominant at home in the ‘05 season, dropping just one game at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium. Over the last three seasons, Pough’s teams have lost just two games at home. Pough became the 14th head football coach at South Carolina State in the fall of 2002, taking the reins from legendary Bulldog coach Willie Jeffries, who retired after 19 years at the helm. Jeffries was an early endorser of Pough and has continued to be a great source of support for the Bulldog football program. Prior to taking the reins at South Carolina State, Pough spent five seasons at the University of South Carolina, three under another coaching legend — Lou Holtz. Pough, during his five-year stint for the Gamecocks, served as the running backs coach for USC, which was one of the top offensive teams in the Southeastern www.scsuathletics.com HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Conference during the span. Pough helped with the development of some of the best running backs in the school’s history, and the Gamecocks made back-to-back appearances in the Outback Bowl in 2000 and 2001 Before joining the Gamecock coaching staff, Pough was one of the top high school coaches in the state of South Carolina, leading Fairfield-Central High School to a perfect 15-0 record in 1996 and claiming the Class AAA South Carolina State Championship. He earned SCHSL Coach of the Year honors for his efforts, the first of three such honors. He also had a coaching stint at W.J. Keenan High School in Columbia, SC, where he built the Raiders into one of the top Class AAA teams in the state. Pough is a native of Orangeburg and a former offensive lineman with the Bulldogs. As a player, he helped the Bulldogs amass a 16-6-1 record during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, a span in which the Bulldogs suffered just two MEAC losses and captured a pair of MEAC titles. He was rewarded for his efforts with All-MEAC honors as well as All-NAIA District 6 honors. Following his graduation from SC State, Pough joined the coaching staff at nearby Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School from 1976-79. He then returned to the South Carolina State sidelines in 1979 under then-SCSU head coach Bill Davis. After a season as offensive line coach, Pough became the Bulldog defensive coordinator (1980) and helped guide the Bulldogs to their only two appearances in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs as well as four MEAC championships. “It’s always good to come home again,” said Pough when he was introduced as Bulldog head coach in 2002. “I’ve been a high school assistant, a high school head coach, and a college assistant. It’s just a natural progression that I become a collegiate head coach and to do it at home makes it that much better.” Pough earned his undergraduate degree from South Carolina State in 1975 and also holds a master’s degree from the University. He and his wife, Josie, are the proud parents of two sons: Oliver, III (Bud) and Lee Judson. SC State head coach Oliver “ Buddy” Pough will look to win his second MEAC Conference title this year, after taking over the helm in 2002. The Poughs--Josie, Coach Pough, Lee, Oliver III (Bud) SC State University 35 www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES David Blanchard Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line David Blanchard, assistant head coach for the Bulldogs, is in his 15th season as a member of the South Carolina State coaching staff, and the seventh as defensive line coach. Blanchard previously served as offensive line coach and was recruiting coordinator for SC State from 2002 until this season A former offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, Blanchard has continued to build upon the team’s history of success in developing outstanding defensive linemen. He has spent his entire coaching career at SCSU, joining the staff full-time in 1995 following one season as a student assistant. During his tenure, he has aided in the development of some of the best linemen to ever wear the Garnet & Blue, including NFL offensive linemen Lewis Kelly, Raleigh Roundtree, Dwani Fladger, and Orlando Brown, and defensive lineman Ken Jones, who played in the 2007 Arena Bowl Championship with the Columbus Destroyers. In 2002, Blanchard made the switch to coaching the Bulldog defensive line where he oversaw the development of one of the best defensive lines in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, producing at least one AllMEAC defensive lineman in each of the last five seasons. Last season, it was junior Cedric Lloyd. SC State University Eric Turner was a first team selection two seasons ago and in 2005, it was Travis Kinloch earning his second All-MEAC nod under Blanchard’s tutelage. However, the best example of Blanchard’s leadership came in former Bulldog nose tackle Marcus Darby, who came to SCSU with no prep experience, but earned All-MEAC honors in the 2004 season. A standout offensive lineman for the Bulldogs from 1990-94, Blanchard earned All-MEAC honors as a center in 1992 and 1993. He also anchored the SCSU offensive line that propelled the Bulldogs the 1993 Heritage Bowl aganist Southern. Blanchard earned a Bachelor of Science from South Carolina State in 1994. In 1999, Blanchard completed an internship with the Miami Dolphins under thenhead coach Jimmy Johnson. He is a 1989 graduate of Thomson High School in Thomson, Georgia where he was a letter winner in both football and basketball. Blanchard earned All-Region honors twice (1987-89) and earned All-State honors in 1989. He and his wife,the former Trevenia Bracey of Camden, are the proud parents of two children -- daughter Morgan (7), and son David Jr. (1). 36 www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES Demetrius Davis Offensive Line(Tackles & Tight Ends) Demetrius Davis is in his seventh season as a South Carolina State assistant. He joined the Bulldog coaching staff in 2001. His assignment this year is with the offensive line, specifically the Bulldog tackles and tight ends. Davis previously coached running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks for Coach Buddy Pough’s team. In addition, he serves as film coordinator for the Bulldogs. In each of the segments, he has coach at S.C. State, Davis exhibited the kind of leadership that continues to pay dividends on the field for the Bulldogs. In each of the seasons he has been on the staff, at least one player in the segment he coached earned All-MEAC honors. Last season, it was tackle James Lee; in 2006 it was Will Ford who earned MEAC Rookie of the Year honors and running back DeShawn Baker who took home All-America honors and MEAC Player of the Year accolades; and in 2005, it was wide receiver Rondriekas Darby who took home All-MEAC honors under Davis’ guidance. Prior to coaching at South Carolina State, Davis was a graduate assistant at the University of South Carolina under the legendary Lou Holtz. It was there that Davis was reunited with his high school head coach, current South Carolina State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, who brought Davis with him to Orangeburg in 2002. As a player, Davis spent four seasons at Fayetteville State where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1999. He also holds a master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State. A graduate of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC, Davis is married to the former Kimberlye Ford of Columbia. They are the proud parents of one son -- Ford Demetrius Davis. Joseph Blackwell Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator Joe Blackwell begins his fifth season as an assistant with the South Carolina State football staff. Currently, Blackwell coaches guards and centers for the Bulldogs and is also the running game coordinator for Coach Buddy Pough’s team Since joining the SC State staff in 2003, he has helped mold the Bulldog offensive line into a cohesive, productive group, which has produced the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year the past two seasons. The Bulldog running game has been one of the most potent ground attacks in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference under the tutelage of Blackwell Also, Bulldog teams have led the league in rushing yards in each of the last SC State University 37 two seasons. And, in 2005 the SC State topped the MEAC in fewest sacks allowed, giving up just 19. Pro-tecting the quarterback also helped the Bulldogs lead the MEAC in pass efficiency as well that season, one in which SC State had the fewest penalties in the MEAC with just 63 for 533 yards. Prior to joining the Bulldog coaching staff, Blackwell spent a year at Newberry College in Newberry, SC and one season at Pikeville College in Pikeville, Kentucky. At Newberry, Blackwell served as the team’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. During his stint at Pikeville, Blackwell was linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator. He also spent a decade in the high school coaching ranks where he assisted some of the top programs in the state of South Carolina. Blackwell was an assistant on Camden High School’s 2001 Class AAA South Carolina High School League State Championship team. He spent four years at Camden High and served six seasons as the offensive line coach at Berea High School. A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Blackwell is a graduate of North Greenville College. He and his wife, Jami, are the parents of three children - son Chanston and two daughters, Maggie and Mackinley Jane. The family makes its home in Bamberg, South Carolina. Gerald Harrison Defensive Line Pro Liaison/Football Operations Gerald Harrison is in his fifth season as a member of the South Carolina State football staff. After leading a resurgence in the Bulldog rushing attack in 2005, Harrison switched to defense in 2006 where he worked with the defensive line, coaching the SC State tackles. The Bulldog alumnus also serves as pro liaison and director of football operations for the Bulldogs. Harrison brought a wealth of experience and knowledge of football to Orangeburg five years ago, following a successful high school coaching career in which he was highly regarded by coaches throughout the state of South Carolina. During his tenure with the Bulldog offense, SC State continued to be one of the top rushing teams in the Southeast. Highlighting Harrison’s work was the development of former Bulldog running back DeShawn Baker, an All-American rusher and the 2006 MEAC Player of the Year. Under Harrison’s watchful eye in 2005, Baker became just the second SCSU running back in nearly a decade to post back-to-back 1,000yard rushing seasons. He finished his career in 2006 number two on the career rushing list with over 3,700 yards. Harrison joined the SCSU coaching staff in the summer of 2004, www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES following 28 years as a high school coach where he earned several coaching honors. Before coming to Orangeburg, Harrison spent six seasons as the head coach at Darlington High School in Darlington, SC. He has also enjoyed coaching stints at Mayo High School in Darlington, as well as two seasons at St. Stephen High School in St. Stephen, SC He earned a bachelor’s at SC State in 1974, and also holds a master’s from the institution. He and his wife, Dr. Valerie Harrison, are the proud parents of two children – son Gerald Jr. and daughter Gerrin. Mike Adams Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Mike Adams, who joined the South Carolina State football staff in 2006, has been promoted to defensive coordinator for the upcoming season, and will coach the Bulldog linebackers. Adams previously coached the SC State secondary and special teams for coach Buddy Pough. Prior to coming to Orangeburg and SC State, Adams enjoyed a productive coaching career at three other colleges – Ball State, St. Joseph’s (Ind.) and West Georgia. Adams began his coaching career in 1997 at Ball State -- his alma mater - as a student assistant working with linebackers. He followed that assignment with a stint as an assistant coach at St. Joseph’s College (Ind.) where he coached a number of positions. During the 1998 season, Adams coached wide receivers and running backs at St. Joseph’s before switching to defensive backs in 1999 and 2000. From St. Joseph’s College, Adams headed South to the University of West Georgia. It was at UWG that Adams spent the bulk of his coaching career. He coached five seasons with the Braves as the team’s defensive backs and special teams coach. Adams is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana and a 1998 graduate of Ball State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration. SC State University Kevin Magouirk Quarterbacks Kevin Magouirk (Pronounced Magwerk) enters his first season as quarterbacks coach at South Carolina State. The former wide receiver and running back at the University of South Carolina, began his coaching career in 2001 as a wide receiver coach at McLean High School before making the transition to the collegiate ranks with stops at St. Anselm College (2002), Lehigh University (2003-04), as a wide receivers coach and Husson College(2005-06) as offensive coordinator. Magouirk spent the 2007 season with The Citadel as an assistant wide receivers coach. A native of Mandeville, LA, Magouirk is a 2001 graduate of The University of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Science. Danny Lewis Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Danny Lewis in his first season on the South Carolina State coaching staff, with his primary assignment as running backs coach. The first-year Bulldog assistant will also coordinate recruiting for Coach Buddy Pough’s staff. Lewis’ last assignment before coming to SC State was in 2006 season at Middle Tennessee State, where he served as Director of Football Operations, overseeing the day-today logistics of the football program. He previously served five seasons at The Citadel, where he had several assignments, among them assistant athletic director for compliance and academic services (2005), assistant head coach (2003 & 2004), running backs coach and recruiting coordinator (2001-04). During his tenure with The Citadel, Lewis coached All-Southern Conference performers at running back, including Nehemiah Broughton who was selected in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Lewis also coached Bud Pough, son of SC State head coach Oliver “ Buddy” Pough, for two seasons and worked alongside current SC State 38 www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES Maurice Drayton secondary coach Maurice Drayton, who is also in his first season with the Bulldogs. He spent the spring of 2000 on Coach Tony Felder’s staff at Benedict as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator before accepting a graduate assistant’s position under Lou Holtz at the University of South Carolina A native of Lexington, SC, Lewis played tight end and lettered at Charleston Southern before graduating in 1995 from the University of South Carolina. He began his coaching career at Newberry College (1998-99) under Mike Taylor and also worked with coach Buddy Pough as a graduate assistant at USC under Holtz. Lewis is married to the former Kim Shaw of Lexington and they have two sons -- Eric and Alex. Secondary/Special Teams Maurice Drayton enters his first season as a South Carolina State assistant. He joined Coach Buddy Pough’s staff after an extensive coaching stint with The Citadel, where he played his collegiate football, before later joining the coaching staff there. His assignment with the SC State Bulldogs includes the secondary and special teams. A native of Moncks Corner, SC, Drayton spent a total of twelve seasons (1995-2006 at The Citadel as a player, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2006, he was defensive coordinator for the Seinajoki Crocodiles of the European Football League in Seinajoki. He also served a stint with the Charleston Swamp Foxes of the Arena 2 Football League in 2000-02 and did a 2007 internship with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Last season, Drayton was the assistant principal and defensive coordinator at Goose Creek High School. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (1998) and Master of Education (2007) at The Citadel. Drayton, who had a brief stint in the National Football League with two different teams, is the father of a son—Montrel, nine years old. Howard Feggins Wide Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator Howard Feggins is in his first season as a member of the South Carolina State football staff. Feggins will coach wide receivers and also serve as coordinator of the Bulldog passing game. Prior to coming to SC State, Feggins spent four seasons at Eastern Michigan, where he oversaw the Eagles' 2004 offense, which finished 21st in the country that season, a year in which wide receiver Eric Deslauriers was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List for receivers. Feggins also coached All-Big Ten receivers Teddy Johnson, Sam Simmons, Trevor Gaylor and Kunle Patrick, who tied the NCAA record of 47 straight games with a reception and led the Eagles to the MidAmerican Championship in 2004 and 2007. Both Simmons and Gaylor were NFL draftees with the former going in the 5th round and the latter in the fourth. In addition, Feggins served a stint at Northwestern University (19992004) where he found more success, helping Northwestern to the Big Ten Championship in 2000. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Wingate (NC) coaching defensive backs and kick returners. Feggins, who played briefly in the NFL with the New England Patriots, is a 1987 graduate of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelors of Arts. He and his wife Renee are the parents of two sons -- Kevin 15 and Jensen 12. The family resides in Orangeburg, SC. SC State University Joel Taylor Secondary Assistant Joel Taylor is entering his fourth season as a defensive assistant at South Carolina State, his alma mater. He assists with the development of the Bulldog defensive backs. Taylor had a very productive career as a defensive back at SC. State, where he earned several honors during his four-year (2001-04) career. He lettered all four seasons and was team captain and defensive MVP in 2004. He was also a starter in the secondary of the 2003 team that finished number one nationally in pass defense efficiency. A Brooklyn, NY native who grew up in Irmo, SC, Taylor earned a bachelor’s in computer science from SC State in 2004 and is scheduled to complete his master’s in rehabilitative counseling in December of this year. 39 www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES Craig Harward John L. Williams Head Athletic Trainer Strength & Conditioning Coach Craig Harward enters the fifth season of a second tenure as head athletic head trainer with South Carolina State. A familiar fixture on the sidelines, Harward oversees a Sports Medicine staff that services all of the University’s seventeen athletic teams. A noted and skilled athletic trainer, Harward returned to South Carolina State in 2003, following the departure of longtime athletic trainer Chuck Pinta. He earlier served as Bulldog head athletic trainer from 1991-1994. Prior to making his return to South Carolina State athletics, Harward spent nine years as the director of The Regional Medical Center’s Healthplex in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Harward is certified athletic trainer by the NATA Board of Certification and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. In 2005, he and his staff were recognized as the College and University Athletic Training Staff of the Year by the SC Athletic Training Association. Harward began his professional career in 1982 as a teacher and athletic trainer at Brookland-Cayce High School in Columbia, South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Newberry College (1980) and a master’s from the University of South Carolina (1982). He and his wife, the former Lisa Elton of Columbia, are the parents of three children. Harward also has a daughter from a previous marriage. John L. Williams enters his first season as the Strength & Conditioning coach for South Carolina State sports. Williams is no stranger to SCSU and MEAC football, as he was a former player and assistant coach at North Carolina A&T in the early 1990’s. Prior to coming to SC State, Williams spent six years at Baylor University, where he also served as an assistant athletics director the last two years. He also spent three seasons (1997-99) as a graduate assistant at the University of North Carolina and one year as a strength and conditioning coach at Oklahoma State. He has coached seven first-round NFL Draft selections, among them defensive ends Greg Ellis and Ebenezer Ekuban (both of the Dallas Cowboys), Vonnie Holliday (formerly of the Green Bay Packers) and Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers). Williams earned a Bachelor of Science at North Carolina A&T in 1995. He and his wife, Sherri, are the parents of two children – Christina Josette and Savannah Chyenne Stephanie Troscinski Assistant Athletic Trainer/Football Stephanie Troscinski joined the South Carolina State sports medicine staff in 2004, bring with her an impressive resume. A native of Canada, Troscinski came to Orangeburg and SC State following stints as an athletic trainer for several professional and collegiate programs, and has been the primary football trainer for the Bulldogs since 2005. Her previous professional experience included working at the 2003 Canada Winter Games and at the Catherines Athletics Major Lacrosse. She also served as trainer with the Fort Erie Meteors Jr. B Hockey Team. Troscinski is certified by the Board of Certification as well as t he Canadian Athletic Therapists Association. She holds a Diploma in Sports Injury Management from Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario and received a Bachelor of Physical Education with Distinction from Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario. SC State University 40 www.scsuathletics.com BULLDOG FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES Gerald Harrison Mike Adams Defensive Line(Tackles) Pro Liaison/ Football Operations Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers David Blanchard Joel Taylor Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Secondary Assistant SC State University 41 www.scsuathletics.com OLIVER C. DAWSON BULLDOG STADIUM ABOUT OLIVER C. DAWSON Oliver Cromwell Dawson had a long and unparalleled career as a coach, athletic director, professor and administrator at South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University) during a forty-one year tenure (1935-76) at the institution. Dawson, affectionately called "the Man for all Seasons," coached five major sports at South Carolina State, beginning in 1935 until he retired in 1976. The Thomaston, Georgia native, who grewa up in Cleveland, Ohio, served as head football coach from 1940 to 1950, and also coached basketball, tennis, track and field, and golf. He won championships in each of the sports except track and field. Dawson attended John Carroll University in Cleveland (1930-34), before earning his bachelor’s at South Carolina State in 1936. He received his master’s from New York University in 1947 and did further study at Denver University and West Virginia University. During his head football coaching tenure, which was interrupted by World War II (1943-45), Dawson compiled only a modest record of 30-29-7, however, his teams finished in the upper division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) every year except one, and the worksheet included an undefeated 7-0-1 regular season mark in 1947 when the Bulldogs played for the mythical Black College National Championship in Washington, DC SC State University Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina Capacity: 22,000 Surface: Synthetic turf Oliver C. Dawson against Shaw University. Prior to becoming head coach at SCSU, he served five seasons as backfield coach. He discovered and coached the great Marion Motley, who was an outstanding fullback for the Bulldogs before transferring to Nevada and going on to greatness with the original Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. Motley is one of three former Bulldogs currently enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. David "Deacon" Jones, an outstanding defensive lineman at South Carolina State in the 50s, who went on to stardom with the Los Angeles Rams, and Harry Carson, a Bulldog All-American in the mid-70s who had an illustrious career with the New York Giants, are also in the prestigious Hall. Carson was inducted last season (2006). 42 Amenities: a. Two-tiered spacious press box with elevator leading to upper level seating for handicapped or physically-challenged persons (2nd level), three VIP suites (3rd level), and a large media work area (can seat 30), two permanent radio booths and one temporary radio booth (4th level) One permanent radio booth can be converted to accommodate television. b. State-of-the-art scoreboard and message board. c. Practice field adjacent to stadium. d. Two on-site locker rooms. Teams may also dress at two facilities adjacent to the stadium — SmithHammond-Middleton Memorial Center and Felton Laboratory School. e. Parking – 400 paved spots and 1700 additional on grass fields (Mitchell Hall, Felton Lab, and Mason Hall) f. Renovated and enlarged restroom facilities g. Ten-window ticket booth h. Renovated concessions stands www.scsuathletics.com
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