The vetting process: Rod Broadway

[Bornthrilla]

Right now Vegas has this guy as the odds-on favorite to become the next coach of A&T. But Vegas is not making the decision here; Wheeler is.

Rod Broadway



Experience: 29
Hometown: Oakboro , NC
College: North Carolina '77
Degree: B.A.


What are his pros and cons?

Do you think he would be a good fit?

[Bornthrilla]

Biography

Rod Broadway, the ninth head coach in Grambling State history, begins his second year at the helm of the storied football program.

In his first season as head coach of the Tigers, Broadway immediately made an impact as he guided the Tigers to a five-win turnaround (8-4) from the previous season in addition to capturing the SWAC Western Division Championship and a berth in the SWAC Championship Game. A total of five players received either All-American or All-SWAC honors under his watch and he was also a finalist for the prestigious Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Statistically, Grambling’s defense was one of the nation’s best as the Tigers finished the year ranked 12th nationally in total defense, eighth in rushing defense and 11th in scoring defense. The Tigers held three teams to 30 or less yards on the ground last season and forced 10 teams into committing three or more turnovers per game. As a result of the unit’s success, defensive tackle Jason Banks (Arizona Cardinals) and safety DeMichael Dizer (Seattle Seahawks), earned free agent invites to National Football League training camps.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers featured one of the top offensive units in the SWAC as several players set career highs at their respective positions under the watchful eye of Broadway. On an individual note, wideout Clyde Edwards finished as Grambling’s all-time leading receiver and earned spots on the FCS Fabulous 50 All-American team and Jacksonville Jaguars training camp roster. Freshman running back Frank Warren was the SWAC’s Freshman of the Year in 2007 while tight end Tim Abney, specialist Tim Manuel and the offensive line duo of Randell Bennett and Tavarus Cockrell were selected to participate in the inaugural Fight on Foundation Heritage Bowl All-Star Game in Fullerton, Calif.

As a team, the Tigers returned to the national scene after a year’s hiatus and finished the 2007 season ranked 25th nationally in The Sports Network Division I Championship Subdivision Poll and seventh overall in the Sheridan Poll.

A native of Oakboro, N.C., the 29-year veteran of the coaching ranks wasted no time in putting his stamp on the NCCU program by posting three consecutive winning seasons of eight or more games after a 4-6 record in his inaugural campaign. During the 2006 season, Broadway made history as he led the Eagles to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II’s Southeast Region, a No. 1 ranking in the SBN Poll and back-to-back CIAA titles for the first time since the 1953-54 seasons. In addition, the Eagles also fielded the CIAA’s top-ranked offense (345.1 ypg) along with the 15th ranked defense in NCAA Division II (250.7 ypg). Broadway’s 2006 team also featured four players who earned SBN All-American honors including the SBN’s Offensive Player of the Year in freshman quarterback Stadford Brown, 12 All-CIAA selections, 10 Daktronics All-Southeast Region honorees and two Associated Press Little All-Americans.

He closed out his four-year career at NCCU with a decorated resume’ that includes multiple honors by the Pigskin Club of Washington D.C., Inc., a 33-11 overall record, back-to-back CIAA titles, two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, a 16-game regular season winning streak and a 29-4 record over the past three seasons. In addition, Broadway also collected the school’s first-ever victory over a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent with a victory over Southern University in 2006.

Prior to his tenure at NCCU, Broadway honed his skills on the NCAA football’s highest level as the defensive line coach of the University of North Carolina (2001-02), University of Florida (1995-00), Duke (1981-94) and East Carolina (1979-80).

As an assistant coach at North Carolina, Broadway helped the Tar Heels to a No. 15 national ranking in total defense and an appearance in the Peach Bowl. While at Florida, he served as a member of Steve Spurrier’s staff and helped the Gators attain four SEC Championships, six bowl appearances and one national championship in 1996. Broadway’s defensive units at Florida led the SEC in sacks from 1996-99 with the 1997 team setting a school record for rush defense with 70.7 yards per game.

A 1977 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Broadway played on the defensive line from 1974-77 and helped lead Carolina to the 1974 Sun Bowl and the 1977 Liberty Bowl. Among the honors he earned were the team’s “Outstanding Freshman” in 1974 and “Most Outstanding Senior” along with All-ACC honors in 1977.

[JayBee]

I think this will be Wheeler's #1 choice as the Aggie's head man. I think it will be a good fit if he brings his assistant coaches, which I'm pretty sure he will. He wants out of Grambling as bad as Grambling wants him out. He was under Bill Hayes' tutelage long enough to know what it takes to win. Just to get out of Grambling, I think he'll come for about $160k!

[Bornthrilla]

How long would it be before he'd be able to turn our program around? Do you think he is a quick fix artist?

[JayBee]

We already have some talented players, they just need some stern coaching! With that being said, I think Broadway could turn the program around in year 2!

[B&GMM 80]

He gets my VOTE!

AGGIE PRIDE!

[oleschoolaggie]

everybody can get a first hand look at broadway tonight on espnu. grambling is playing texas southern tonight on espnu, "i think" the game starts at 9pm...

[JayBee]

Thanks oleschoolaggie, for the info!