New coaches, challenges abound as MEAC and SWAC teams prepare to kick off season

The football season for historically Black colleges and universities will commence Aug. 24 at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta, where Norfolk State University will face off against Florida A&M University, the defending Cricket Celebration Bowl champion.

A lot has changed in both the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference since the 2023 Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.

Willie Simmons left his role as Florida A&M’s coach at the end of the season to take a position coach job at Duke University, and James Colzie III was promoted to coach for the Rattlers in January. In the SWAC West alone, Texas Southern University, Alcorn State University, Grambling State University and Southern University are all coming into the season under the leadership of new coaches.

After the MEAC lost its second Celebration Bowl to the SWAC in the game’s eight-year history, it also lost longtime South Carolina State University head coach Buddy Pough to retirement. Former Benedict College coach Chennis Berry was hired to succeed Pough. The conference also lost two of its best quarterbacks, Davius Richard of North Carolina Central University and Quinton Williams of Howard University to graduation, which opens up the race for a new star quarterback to emerge in the MEAC.

From whether Florida A&M can repeat as Celebration Bowl champion to which HBCU classic game will be the most exciting, Andscape writers Mia Berry and Cayla Sweazie answer several questions heading into HBCU football season.

Can Florida A&M under James Colzie III repeat as Celebration Bowl champion? 

Berry: As a first-year head coach, Colzie immediately comes into this season under pressure. After losing linebacker Isaiah Major, the 2023 SWAC defensive player of the year, and quarterback Jeremy Moussa, the 2023 SWAC offensive player of the year, to graduation, the most important thing for the Rattlers is to have defensive and offensive leaders on the field during their title defense season. While the quarterback position is still up in the air for the Rattlers, they return defensive back Kendall Bohler and Celebration Bowl offensive MVP Kelvin Dean, who both can fill in voids on both sides of the ball. Colzie plans to build upon the foundation set by Simmons, and a major win for Colzie was returning most of the coaching staff that helped lead Florida A&M to the championship. It’s very possible to see the Rattlers start and finish the season in Atlanta. 

Sweazie: With the momentum that the Rattlers showed this past season, it feels to me like the Celebration Bowl trophy is theirs for the taking. While there will be shifts in FAMU’s lineup and dynamic, I anticipate a lot remaining the same. Colzie, who was assistant head coach before being promoted, has been with the team for the past two seasons, giving him the chance to learn from Simmons and see what works for the team – and what doesn’t.

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season? 

Berry: Injuries prevented Alabama State University quarterback Andrew Body from playing last season, but the Texas Southern transfer has a bright future with the Hornets this season. When healthy, the 6-foot-1 signal-caller has thrown for 4,108 yards and 27 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in three seasons. In 2022, Body was a top-five quarterback in the SWAC for passing, averaging 164.3 yards. At Alabama State, Body has two strong weapons, running back Marcus Harris II and wide receiver Tyree Saunders, to help set him up for an explosive year. The Hornets, who finished last season with a 7-4 record overall, are one of the biggest threats to Florida A&M in the SWAC this season.

North Carolina Central quarterback Walker Harris has spent five years learning the offense with coach Trei Oliver. In limited action while backing up Richard, Walker has established himself as the future for the Eagles and even earned MEAC offensive player of the week honors a season ago after throwing for 263 yards while leading North Carolina Central to a victory over Mississippi Valley State University. This season Harris takes the reins full time with experience as a reliable passer, and he’s an important piece for the Eagles if they are to clinch a postseason berth.

Sweazie: I have my eye on Howard University defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. Last year, he ended as an All-MEAC First Team selection with the second-most tackles per game in the conference, totaling 93 on the season. He also won the Aeneas Williams Award, which is given to the top defensive back in HBCU Division I football, and he is on the preseason watch list as a top contender for this year’s award.

Which team has the best chance to make their program’s first Celebration Bowl appearance?

Berry: The last two seasons Morgan State University coach Damon Wilson’s team has been in contention for the MEAC title, and this season the Bears hope to finally earn the trip to Atlanta. Morgan State had a 3-2 conference record last season and played both Howard and North Carolina Central in closely contested, one-possession games. On defense Morgan State returns linebacker Erick Hunter and defensive lineman Elijah Williams, who were both voted to the MEAC First-Team defense in 2023. Last season Hunter was second in the MEAC with 75 total tackles, and Williams led the conference in sacks with seven. Morgan State has a strong enough defense to contend for a MEAC title this season.

Sweazie: For me, it’s the Morgan State Bears [and no, I’m not just saying that as a proud alum]. In following this team for the past several years, it has been tremendous to see the Bears’ growth, much of which can be credited to Wilson. Wilson built a powerhouse at Bowie State University, a Division II HBCU program in Maryland. As he integrates that winning culture at Morgan and continues to gain buy-in and trust from his team, I think the program will continue to excel, and a Celebration Bowl appearance feels like the next logical step in its progression.

Which team is most likely to show the most growth from last season to this one?

Berry: A season ago Norfolk State won just three games, but the Spartans are returning quarterback Otto Kuhns, cornerback Terron Mallory and linebacker AJ Richardson. Defensively Norfolk State led the MEAC last season in forced fumbles with 13, and Mallory led the conference in interceptions with four. Coach Dawson Odums believes last season taught his team the importance of consistency and finishing games both on the offense and defensive ends. The Spartans will have the opportunity to get a statement win to start the season against the defending Celebration Bowl champion.

Sweazie: Jackson State is on my radar as a team to really evolve coming off of last season. Second-year coach T.C. Taylor has maintained a winning culture despite the loss of coaching, talent and resources former coach Deion Sanders brought to the program. I think the program will develop further this upcoming year and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Taylor is able to create a powerhouse at JSU in the next decade or so.

Which first-year head coach will have the most success? 

Berry: Between the MEAC and SWAC there are six new head coaches this season, and each faces different challenges, from rebuilding football rosters to transforming losing teams into conference contenders. Florida A&M’s Colzie and Alcorn State coach Cedric Thomas both inherited a lot of talent from the previous year and are in-house hires. Alcorn State returns defensive lineman Malachi Bailey, and the Braves were voted as the preseason favorite to win the SWAC West, a strong omen for Thomas before his team even hits the field this season.

Sweazie: It feels like all the stars have aligned for Colzie. He helped coach the Rattlers to a Celebration Bowl championship and months later was elevated to the head coaching position. Now all he has to do is execute. A big win in the MEAC/SWAC challenge would be all the reassurance he and the Rattlers need as the season starts.

What does South Carolina State look like under new coach Chennis Berry?

Berry: Long before Berry arrived in Orangeburg, South Carolina, he had a long track record of building successful programs, as a coach at Benedict and a position coach at Southern University. Since taking over at South Carolina State in December, Berry has boasted about the buy-in he already has gotten from players and believes several will make a name for themselves in the MEAC. Five South Carolina State players earned preseason all-conference first-team offense honors. It took Berry three seasons to turn Benedict into Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, and South Carolina State should expect the same level of success either this season or in the immediate future.

Sweazie: Saying Berry has big shoes to fill feels like an understatement, but his coaching history is promising for South Carolina State University. He knows what it takes to cultivate success at an HBCU, and if he can bring the same energy to SCSU that led to a conference championship for Benedict, I have no doubt he can do the same in Orangeburg.

Which classic game are you most excited to watch this season?

Berry: A lot is on the line this year in the Bayou Classic on Nov. 30. Both schools have first-year head coaches, Terrence Graves at Southern and Mickey Joseph at Grambling State, who are each looking to get a marquee win over their school’s biggest rival. Grambling State quarterback Myles Crawley was voted preseason SWAC offensive player of the year, and Southern defensive end Ckelby Givens was voted as preseason SWAC defensive player of the year. Southern has won five out of the last six matchups. If Graves extends Southern’s winning streak to three games or if Joseph can give the Tigers their first Bayou win since 2021, it would be a jump start for either coach.

Sweazie: The MEAC/SWAC Challenge presents an opportunity for defending Celebration Bowl champion Florida A&M to assert its dominance this season. What better way to kick off the college football season?