I think this is a great move for MSU. Not only do they need a positive role model for their current players, but also for recruiting. As far as I know, Croom has no skeletons in the closet (cutting nuts off bulls, probation at other schools, strip clubs, lying about coaching experience, etc.) He also learned from the master. If I recall correctly, Sly was coaching linebackers at Alabama when we had an up and coming QB named....oh yeah, Mike Shula. I just remembered that today. No wonder he considered the no call back from Alabama a slap in the face. If he turns the MSU program around, cleans up the mess over there and does it in record time, we all need to stand in line and just kick Mal Moore in the ass.
No matter how backwoods Alabama's thinking might be regarding the race issue, Mississippi still holds the infamous title of the only state that the National Guard was federalized in an all-out conflict in peace time. All because a Korean War vet wanted to go to school and better himself. He just so happened to have picked the University of Mississippi and he just so happened to be black. That's sad. While this is a great day for MSU and the SEC, I sure do wish everyone could focus on Croom's accomplishments as a coach instead of the color of his skin. ROLL TIDE and Go Sly! Sonja ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Todd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 6:10 PM Subject: [RollTideFan] Croom becomes first black SEC coach ESPN.com: College Football Monday, December 1, 2003 Croom becomes first black SEC coach ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- ESPN.com news services STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Sylvester Croom became the first black head football coach in the Southeastern Conference, accepting an offer Monday to take over Mississippi State. The school announced Croom's decision in a release posted on its Web site. A news conference will be held Tuesday to introduce him. Croom informed Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton that he would take the job less than 24 hours after Templeton said he had offered it. Croom, 49, has never been a head coach, but has been an NFL assistant with five teams since 1987 and worked for Bear Bryant and Ray Perkins at Alabama from 1977-86. "I'm happy to see Mississippi State step up," John Mitchell, a Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach and former teammate of Crooms' at Alabama, told ESPN.com. "I've had some bad views of the state of Mississippi for a long time, since I was growing up. For them to beat Alabama and the rest of the states not only to hire an African-American coach, but someone as qualified as Sylvester Croom, it says a lot for them." The Bulldogs completed a 2-10 season, their third straight last-place finish in the SEC West, by losing to Mississippi 31-0 Thursday. They went 8-27 in Jackie Sherrill's final three seasons with just three SEC victories. Croom came close to landing the Alabama job earlier this year after Mike Price was abruptly dismissed in May. The Crimson Tide were criticized by some, including civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, for hiring Mike Shula, who is white, over Croom, who has more experience. Every other BCS conference has had at least one black head coach, but the shortcoming is not exclusive to the SEC. There were only four black head football coaches among 117 Division I-A football schools this season. The SEC has been trying to help its members be more inclusive in the hiring process by providing lists of potential minority candidates to its athletic directors. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- ESPN.com: HELP | MEDIA KIT | CONTACT US | TOOLS | SITE MAP Copyright ©2003 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and UPDATED Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities at ESPN.com. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
