West Va State names Monroe head football
coach
May 20, 2006
Long time assistant coach Earl Monroe officially had the "interim" removed
from his title when he was named Head Football Coach by West
Virginia State University President Dr. Hazo Carter and
Athletic Director Bob Parker at a press conference Thursday
morning.
WVSU Photo
 |
Earl Monroe |
Monroe had been serving as Head Coach since early February
when Carl Lee stepped down after 10 seasons to accept another
position on campus
A search committee presented a list of three finalists to
Carter, who selected Monroe over fellow finalists Clifford "Kip" Shaw
and Malen Luke.
Monroe, who had been in Florida and his native Georgia recently
on a trip that combined recruiting and vacation, returned to
the campus and met with Carter and other WVSU officials
late Wednesday afternoon.
He was offered the job in that meeting, and accepted the position.
State officials were impressed with Monroe's aggressiveness
in running the program in recent months, as the former defensive
coordinator brought increased accountability for players on
the academic and football sides.
Monroe, 49, has been with the Yellow Jackets since 1987, when
he came to the Jackets' program as a volunteer assistant. The
Atlanta native and former Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia Rockets
linebacker has been the State defensive coordinator since 1996.
State Athletic Director Bob Parker promoted Monroe to interim
coach shortly after Lee resigned Feb. 3.
Lee, a former South Charleston High and Marshall star who
became an NFL Pro Bowl player in the Minnesota Vikings' secondary,
had a 34-75 record in 10 seasons as the State coach, without
a winning season.
The Jackets were 5-5 in 1999.
Monroe conducted spring practice and signed more than 45 recruits
for the upcoming season as a one-man, full-time staff.
Dr. Gregory Epps, a special assistant to the WVSU president
and the chairman of the search committee, said more than 125
individuals applied for the position vacated by Lee.
Jacob Messer Institute
Daily Mail sportswriter contributed to this story
|
