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Tuskegee named Slater as head football
coach
January 17, 2006
TUSKEGEE, Ala. - (January 17, 2006) - Tuskegee University
has named former Temple University offensive coordinator Willie
J. Slater as its new head football coach. Slater was introduced
as a morning press conference by TU president Dr. Benjamin
Payton.
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Willie Slater |
“Coach Slater is a proven winner who believes in recruiting
hard to find the best players available and coaching them well.
He knows the importance of teaching players to be the best
they can be athletically and in life,” Dr. Payton said. “That,
coupled with his winning record and spirit, makes him the top
selection to lead our Golden Tigers football team.” Though
the new coach spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia with
the Temple Owls under his former University of North Alabama
coach, he is no stranger to making winners out of Alabama teams.
Slater, 49, holds five Division II National Championship rings
from his work at the University of North Alabama and Troy University.
He is also a five-time NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year recipient,
and has led the Jacksonville State Gamecocks to win the 2003
Ohio Valley Conference title with a 7-1 (8-4 overall) record.
In 1993, North Alabama had the country’s top rushing
offense, gaining 317.5 yards per contest, under his leadership.
The Coffeeville, Ala., native has coached at Temple University,
2004-2005; Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Ala.,
2000-2003; the University of North Alabama, Florence, Ala.,
1992-1999; the University of West Alabama, Livingston, Ala.,
1991-1992; and Troy University, Troy, Ala., 1983-1990.
During a stellar 26-year career of working with programs in
Divisions I-A, I-AA and II, Slater has had the pleasure of
coaching numerous players who have taken those skills to the
NFL – playing for teams such as the New England Patriots,
Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins and several other teams.
The new coach and his wife, Patricia, have three children
and one grandson.
“Mr. Slater brings a track record of powerful experience
as a competent coach and is a man of sterling character. He
and his family are welcomed additions to the Tuskegee University
family,” Dr. Payton said.
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