ITTA BENA, Miss.—Mississippi Valley State University has announced that it will be removing the interim tag and naming Vincent Dancy as its 17th head football coach. Dancy

Dancy, 33, is a native of Shuqualak, Mississippi and the son of MVSU alumnus Willie Dancy '74 and Evelyn Murray.

He had served as MVSU football's defensive coordinator since Feb. 2015 before being appointed to the interim role late last month.

MVSU Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee said promoting Dancy to the lead the Delta Devils is in the best interest of the program.

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"I have had the opportunity to evaluate his energy, synergy, and love for Mississippi Valley State University along with his desire to change the culture of this program," said Ford-Kee. With all hands on deck, the campus community, Itta Bena, Greenwood and surrounding communities, alumni, fans and most important our football athletes, I am confident that Coach Dancy will give us 100 percent of his effort to build a competitive program that will position MVSU football to win a SWAC Championship and the opportunity to vie for the National Black College Championship," said Ford-Kee.

Dancy will officially assume his new role on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.

The official press conference reception introducing Dancy to the public will be held the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 9.