Post by captaggie on Dec 16, 2008 21:50:13 GMT -5
www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/dec/16/wssu-gives-blount-extension-through-2015/
WSSU gives Blount extension through 2015
He will get a raise of about $20,000 a year; A&T had talked to him about vacancy
By John Dell
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: December 16, 2008
Football coach Kermit Blount and Winston-Salem State have reached an agreement on a contract extension.
The deal was completed shortly after the season ended Nov. 22 but still needs the approval of the school's board of trustees, which is expected soon.
"I'm happy that this is taken care of because it means a lot to me to have that security," Blount said. "But at the same time, I've learned you just have to do your job, and things will take care of themselves, so this wasn't something that was keeping me awake at night."
Blount has a 90-77-3 record in 16 seasons at WSSU, his alma mater, and holds the school record for career victories. The Rams, however, had their worst season under Blount this year, finishing 3-8 despite road wins over Hampton and Florida A&M, future Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents.
The extension comes at a time when Winston-Salem State's fiercest rival, N.C. A&T, is seeking a head coach. Athletics Director Chico Caldwell of WSSU and Blount both said that A&T expressed interest in Blount.
"I did talk to them, but they weren't any kind of serious talks," said Blount, pointing out that he did not have a formal interview.
Caldwell said that it was important to get Blount's contract extended to help in recruiting and to show other schools that WSSU is serious about keeping Blount.
Blount had another year under his current contract, which paid him $105,000 a year. The extension will keep him under contract through the 2015 season, and Caldwell said that Blount would get a raise of about $20,000 a year.
WSSU had a young team this past season, with just three senior starters, and had to overcome some key injuries, but Blount remained positive throughout, and Caldwell said that impressed him. The Rams were 1-6 at one point, but Caldwell said that Blount and his assistants continued to work hard.
Caldwell also pointed out that WSSU's graduation rate has continued to improve under Blount.
N.C. A&T is looking for a replacement for Lee Fobbs, who was fired in midseason. George Ragsdale, the running-backs coach, took over as interim head coach and finished the season.
Athletics Director Wheeler Brown of A&T could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Caldwell said that A&T called and asked for permission to talk with Blount.
"And I gave it to them," Caldwell said, adding that he was not surprised by the request. "I'm not one of those who try to deny coaches an opportunity if there's one there.
"I think since I've been here, (A&T) has had three or four head coaches and two ADs."
Blount, 50, is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the state among programs in Division I or in transition to Division I, trailing only Jerry Moore of Appalachian State. Among coaches in the MEAC, Blount has been at the same school longer than anyone.
WSSU gives Blount extension through 2015
He will get a raise of about $20,000 a year; A&T had talked to him about vacancy
By John Dell
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: December 16, 2008
Football coach Kermit Blount and Winston-Salem State have reached an agreement on a contract extension.
The deal was completed shortly after the season ended Nov. 22 but still needs the approval of the school's board of trustees, which is expected soon.
"I'm happy that this is taken care of because it means a lot to me to have that security," Blount said. "But at the same time, I've learned you just have to do your job, and things will take care of themselves, so this wasn't something that was keeping me awake at night."
Blount has a 90-77-3 record in 16 seasons at WSSU, his alma mater, and holds the school record for career victories. The Rams, however, had their worst season under Blount this year, finishing 3-8 despite road wins over Hampton and Florida A&M, future Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents.
The extension comes at a time when Winston-Salem State's fiercest rival, N.C. A&T, is seeking a head coach. Athletics Director Chico Caldwell of WSSU and Blount both said that A&T expressed interest in Blount.
"I did talk to them, but they weren't any kind of serious talks," said Blount, pointing out that he did not have a formal interview.
Caldwell said that it was important to get Blount's contract extended to help in recruiting and to show other schools that WSSU is serious about keeping Blount.
Blount had another year under his current contract, which paid him $105,000 a year. The extension will keep him under contract through the 2015 season, and Caldwell said that Blount would get a raise of about $20,000 a year.
WSSU had a young team this past season, with just three senior starters, and had to overcome some key injuries, but Blount remained positive throughout, and Caldwell said that impressed him. The Rams were 1-6 at one point, but Caldwell said that Blount and his assistants continued to work hard.
Caldwell also pointed out that WSSU's graduation rate has continued to improve under Blount.
N.C. A&T is looking for a replacement for Lee Fobbs, who was fired in midseason. George Ragsdale, the running-backs coach, took over as interim head coach and finished the season.
Athletics Director Wheeler Brown of A&T could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Caldwell said that A&T called and asked for permission to talk with Blount.
"And I gave it to them," Caldwell said, adding that he was not surprised by the request. "I'm not one of those who try to deny coaches an opportunity if there's one there.
"I think since I've been here, (A&T) has had three or four head coaches and two ADs."
Blount, 50, is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the state among programs in Division I or in transition to Division I, trailing only Jerry Moore of Appalachian State. Among coaches in the MEAC, Blount has been at the same school longer than anyone.
