(5) Connell Maynor vs. (12) Mike White

[Bornthrilla]

Connell Maynor



Offensive Coordinator, Philadelphia Soul


Connell Maynor is entering his second season with the Philadelphia Soul as the offensive coordinator. He was in his first season on the field as a coach last season after ending his AFL career with the Philadelphia Soul in 2006.

Maynor ended his playing career as the only player in AFL history serving as a quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and kick return specialist. He is the only player in the AFL to record more than 5,000 passing yards, 500 receiving yards, 400 rushing yards, and 400 yards in kickoff returns in his career. Throughout his 12 year career, Maynor played for multiple teams, including the Philadelphia Soul, Orlando Predators, Carolina Cobras, New Jersey Gladiators, New York Cityhawks and the Tampa Bay Storm. Of those teams, he was a part of three ArenaBowl Championships '95, '96-Tampa Bay, '98, '00-Orlandoï. In 2003, he set career-highs in every passing category while completing 235-of-400 passes for 3,167 yards with 54 touchdowns despite 10 interceptions.


Maynor attended North Carolina A&T where he was named MEAC Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991. While a member of the Aggies he passed for 1,527 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 288 yards and eight touchdowns. He led his team to a 9-2 record his senior year and currently resides in Orlando.

[Bornthrilla]

Mike White

Head coach, Albany State

Headed into his ninth season as head coach of the Albany State University Golden Rams, Mike White has shaped the football program into one of the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Under White's leadership, the Golden Rams have won four consecutive SIAC championships in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and made consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II Football Championships in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. White led the 2007 Golden Rams to a 8-3 overall record.

White has coached nationally-ranked defensive units and brought much attention to the Golden Rams "Dirty Blue" defense. He has distinguished himself as one of the best defensive masterminds in the game. Under his leadership, the Albany State defense has ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA statistics for several years. The Golden Rams finished the 2006 season ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, fifth in the nation in total defense and ninth in both rushing defense and pass efficiency defense, and 23rd in team pass sacks. White has received several awards and honors for his coaching and leadership skills. He was named SIAC Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was the recipient of the SBN/Eddie Robinson National Black College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, in 2004. He won the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Charles B. Fisher Awards from the Pigskin Club of Washington, DC. and was honored by the 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta as the SIAC Coach of the Year. He was also named Division II National Coach of the Year by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in 2004.

White, who became assistant head coach in May 1997, has been coaching for the Golden Rams football program since 1984, when he joined the staff as defensive line coach. A former Golden Rams football standout, he has been the defensive coordinator for 20 years.

Known for his aggressive coaching style, White has coached professional football standouts, including Jeff Hunter, who played with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills; Chris Sheffield who played with the Pittsburgh Steelers; Dan Land, of the Oakland Raiders; Kenny Gant, of the Dallas Cowboys; Edward Hobbs, European Football League; and Markco Maddox, of the Minnesota Vikings.

During his career as an assistant coach with Albany State, White was instrumental in leading the Golden Rams to nine Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championships, with five consecutive championships from 1993-1997; and five consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1993-1997.

In addition to his duties as defensive coordinator, White served as special teams coordinator, conditioning coordinator, linebackers coach and director of intramural health and physical education.

Prior to joining the Golden Rams coaching staff, White enjoyed a stellar five-year professional football career. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round in 1979, and played with the Seattle Seahawks from 1981 until 1983.

During his collegiate career, White was a two-time Pittsburgh Courier All-American player in 1977 and 1978. White was the SIAC Player of the Year in 1978 and was a three-time All-SIAC team member in 1976, 1977 and 1978. White was the Most Valuable Player and Athlete of the Year in 1978. He won the All-Around Athlete award in 1977; Best Defensive Lineman in 1976, and Best Freshman in 1975. White led the Golden Rams in tackles three of his four years and was co-captain of the team during his junior and senior years.

An Augusta, Ga., native, White earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Albany State in 1990 and 1999, respectively.

Active in professional and civic organizations, White is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, Black Coaches Association and the National Football League Alumni.

White and his wife, Phyllis, are members of the First Institutional Baptist Church in Albany.

[Bornthrilla]

This is shaping up to be a real tight battle.

[Aggie77]

So, is a flip of a coin the tiebreaker?

[Bornthrilla]

Voters have until Midnight Saturday, December 6 to weight in on the first round match-ups.

In the unlikelihood that there is a tie, the 5 staff members of BDV.com will each vote to decide the winner.

[Aggie One]

Connell is way overmatched in this fight. He needed a better draw.

[aggiesjh88]

I think that you all are missing some key stats for Connell Maynor. He has been a coach for the Orlando Predators and Soul before being asked to play while assisting coaching at the same time. Also, he has been on the staff at Fayetteville State, since Coach Phillips has taken over the Head Coaching job at FSU. So, he has been assisting with recruiting in NC for the past couple of years. The guy is a natural born winner and leader. An Connell continues to win where ever he goes and did so while at A&T (football, baseball, and bowling) and in the AFL.

[Bornthrilla]

I don't know if Maynor has enough time to claw his way back.

[aggielove]

I know Maynor didn't make it out of the 1st round of our bracket, but seeing as though the AFL may not have a season next year, he will be lookign for some form of employment. Maybe the next coach could bring him on as OC or he could get a spot in the Athletic Department.

[Bornthrilla]

Sources: Maynor to replace Blount at WSSU

Football coach will be officially named Tuesday

Published: December 14, 2009

By John Dell
JOURNAL REPORTER

Connell Maynor, the offensive coordinator at Fayetteville State the last nine seasons, is expected to be named the head football coach at Winston-Salem State on Tuesday, according to several sources.

WSSU has a press conference scheduled then to officially name its replacement for Kermit Blount, who was reassigned last month after 17 seasons, with a year left on his contract.
Maynor, 40, is a former quarterback at WSSU and N.C. A&T. His college career ended in 1991, and he went on to become one of the top players in the history of the Arena Football League, where he played mostly quarterback but also saw time at linebacker and wide receiver and on special teams.

His AFL career ended three years ago, and he went into coaching in the Arena League, helping the Philadelphia Soul to the ArenaBowl XXII title last July as offensive coordinator.

At Fayetteville State this season, Maynor was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for a team that won the CIAA title and made the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Maynor, a Fayetteville native, was recruited to play at Winston-Salem State by then coach Bill Hayes, who is returning as WSSU's athletics director, effective Jan. 1.

Maynor played one season for the Rams, passing for 1,071 yards and helping them to the CIAA title in 1987. Hayes left WSSU after that season to become the coach at N.C. A&T, and Maynor followed as a transfer. After sitting out the 1988 season, Maynor was the Aggies' starting quarterback in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

He passed for 1,698 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior and passed for 1,527 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior in '91 as the Aggies went 9-2. Maynor is fourth in A&T history in passing yards (4,318) and touchdowns (39).

During a 12-year career in the Arena League, Maynor played for several teams and finished his career with more than 5,000 yards passing, more than 500 receiving and more than 400 rushing. He had his best season in 2003, setting career highs by completing 235 of 400 passes for 3,167 yards and 54 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions.

Maynor has been a part of 10 championship teams as a college and pro player and coach. He won CIAA and MEAC titles as a player, two CIAA titles as a coach, four Arena League titles as a player and two as a coach.

Hayes said last week that there were about 75 applicants for the job.

Sources confirmed that Maynor was on campus late last week. Maynor did not return a phone message left Monday at his office at Fayetteville State.

Maynor will be the ninth head coach at WSSU, which started playing football in 1940.
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[Bigboy]

I think everyone knew this would happen. I wish him luck as I would any Aggie.