SCSU Football Fires DL Coach Harrison

[aggierattler]

South Carolina State fires Harrison, Evans

By BRIAN LINDER, T&D Sports Editor
Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The T&D has confirmed the firings of South Carolina State assistant football coach Gerald Harrison as well as Senior Associate Athletics Director Brantley Evans.

However, South Carolina State Athletics Director Charlene Johnson did not have many answers when reached by phone Monday.

“We are dealing with some personnel issues,” Johnson said. “And questions have to be directed to Dr. (George) Cooper.”

According to a person answering the phone at Cooper’s office, he is not available until Thursday. Harrison said he was told he would no longer be employed after July 31. The coach said the message was delivered to him and that he has yet to hear from Johnson or Cooper regarding the situation. The loss of Harrison is yet another offseason blow -- budget cuts have been blamed for the school not providing funds for SCSU football players to be on campus for the second semester of summer school -- to the defending MEAC football champions. A defensive line coach, Harrison was one of South Carolina State’s top recruiters. He also served as pro liaison and director of football operations for the Bulldogs. The 2009 season would have been Harrison’s sixth on the South Carolina State coaching staff. He is a 1974 graduate of South Carolina State where he earned a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Master of Education.

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail] or by phone at 803-533-5553.

[aggierattler]

Hmmmmm...

[The Professor]

Can we get him. He's worth it with the recuiting ties alone

[blackcaesar2k5]

he would be great asset to Aggie program..

[numberonebrave]

(Can we get him. He's worth it with the recuiting ties alone )...perhaps it would help to know why he was fired before you seek his services. Which coach would he replace? And would A&T HAVE TO PAY OFF YET ANOTHER COACH THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED or would you have more coaches than you budgeted .......Just wondering since I have heard that another shoe will drop at SC State.

[aggierattler]

[quote author=numberonebrave board=band thread=5072 post=59938 time=1248604393...Just wondering since I have heard that another shoe will drop at SC State.[/quote]

Yeah...I've heard the same thing, too!

[pitbull]

Gerald Harrison appears headed back to the sidelines as a member of the South Carolina State football coaching staff.

Wednesday evening, Bulldogs football head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough confirmed that Harrison, the team’s defensive line coach and director of football operations, is slated to return to the coaching staff.

“We have agreed in principle,” Pough said.

Pough, whose attorney, Joseph R. Lefft, sent a letter to school officials Thursday claiming that the firing of Harrison was a breach of the coach’s contract, declined further comment on the matter. However, the move to bring Harrison, considered to be one of S.C. State’s top recruiters, back came just hours after university President George Cooper balked at giving a definitive answer as to anything that may have been discussed regarding Harrison in a Wednesday board of trustees executive session.

“As I indicated earlier this week ... we are seeking our own opinion in order to respond,” Cooper said following the meeting. “When I have an opinion, I will let you know. At this particular point, I acknowledge receipt of the letter. I indicate that we are reviewing the letter from coach Pough’s attorney and when I render an opinion, the public will know.”

Lefft’s letter claimed Pough’s contract had been breached in two different ways by Harrison’s firing. The letter claimed that Pough had sole authority to determine the composition of his staff throughout the term of his existing agreement with the university. Also, his contract entitles him to the maximum number of coaches allowable under the NCAA constitution and bylaws. It was Pough’s contention that Harrison was laid off without his consent.

On July 20, Harrison confirmed to The T&D that he had been fired by the university and would no longer be associated with the school after July 31.

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail] or by phone at 803-533-5553. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.