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North Carolina A&T Aggies football

North Carolina A&T
2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team
File:NCAT Bulldog Logo.png
First season	1901
Head coach	4th season, 12–10 (.545)
Stadium	Aggie Stadium (North Carolina A&T) (capacity: 21,500)
Field surface	Natural grass
Location	Greensboro, North Carolina
All-time record	461–414–46 (.526)
Bowl record	1–2–0 (.333)
Claimed national titles	3
Conference titles	11
Current uniform
File:Nopicture.png
Colors	Navy Blue and Gold
Fight song	"Aggie Fight Song" "Old Aggie Spirit"
Mascot	Aggies
Marching band	Blue & Gold Marching Machine
Website	ncataggies.com

The North Carolina A&T Aggies are the college football team representing the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Aggies play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

History

Early History (1901-1924)

Picture of the 1907 North Carolina A&T State University Football Team

In 1901, the team played its first game, losing to Livingstone College. The team played only one game during the 1901 season and did not field another team until 1906. In the program's early years, the team would sporadically field teams, having periods between 1907-1911; 1913; and 1917 where there was no team. Due to the outbreak of World War I, the school did not field a team, but resumed play once again in 1919 competing against neighboring Bennett College. It wasn't until 1923, that A&T's first coach of record, L.P. Byarm, would come along to lead the team.

Byarm and Jefferson (1923-1932)

In 1924, North Carolina A&T joined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), an athletic conference mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities. The Aggies finished that season with a record of 4-1-4, with their only loss coming from a 7-10 loss to West Virginia State to close the season. In 1927, Byarm led A&T to it's first undefeated season and the school's first conference championship in football. The Aggies finished the season with a with a record of 8-0. Byarm would continue to coach the Aggies until 1930. Over his 7 year career as coach, he compiled a record of 38-25-10.

In 1931 Harry R. Jefferson would inherit the team. Jefferson, would lead the Aggies for two seasons before leaving to coach at Hampton University in Virginia. In his two season with A&T, he compiled a record of 5-11.

Four Coaches era (1940 -1945)

From 1940 to 1945, the Aggies had a revolving door of coaching changes; as the team had 4 different head coaches, Homer Harris, Roland Bernard, Charles DeBerry & Charles Carter, within a 5 year span. Of the coaches during this time period, DeBerry was the only man to lead the team for more than one season. In 1943 DeBerry led the Aggies to their second undefeated season in the team's history. That season, the Aggies would compete in their first post-season bowl game, as the team would defeat Southern Jaguars football 14-12 in the Flower Bowl. Over the 3 season DeBerry led the Aggies, he compiled a record of 13-12-1.

Bell and Piggot (1946-1968)

The 1946 season would bring about some stability for the Aggies as new coach William "Bill" Bell became head coach. In his first season as coach, Bell had a record of 5-5. In 1950, Bell would lead the team to their second CIAA championship. Team quarterback, Robert "Stonewall" Jackson, along with running back James Fisher and Helburn "Bud" Meadows would clinch the CIAA championship by beating the nationally ranked North Carolina College 25-13 in the season closer.

Bell would lead the Aggies for 11 seasons until the arrival of new coach Bert C. Piggott in 1957. Like Bell, Piggott would also be a consistent figure for the program. Between 1958 & 1959, Aggie Quarterback Paul Swann threw for a total 1,573 yards and 12 touchdown (American football), helping the Aggies win back to back CIAA championships. In 1964, the Aggies claimed their fifth CIAA championship. The team would go 6-0-1 in the conference to clinch the title, including a 26-0 shutout of rival North Carolina College (North Carolina Central) in the season finale.Of those on the 1964 Aggie championship roster was future Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Elvin Bethea. Over the 11 years he led the team, Piggott would win a total of 3 CIAA championships, and 8 straight winning seasons; a feat unmatched by any other coach in school history.

Howell, McKinley & Forte (1968-1988)

In 1968, Hornsby Howell became the new coach of the team. In his first year as coach, the Aggies would go 8-1, with their sole loss at the hands of University of Maryland Eastern Shore. That year, the Aggies would be named Black college football national co-champions, earning their first national title. Howell would lead the Aggies through their remaining years in the CIAA, and their eventual move to their current conference, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In 1970, A&T would leave the CIAA to form a new conference with the intent of transitioning to the NCAA's Division I. Along with Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State Univeristy, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) was created. In 1975, the Aggies would win their first football championship in the MEAC. During that season, Quarterback Ellsworth Turner completed 55% of his passes while throwing a total of 1,349 yards to help the Aggies capture the conference title. Over Howell's 9 year career with A&T, he would win 62% of the games he coach, and would earn a career record of 55-34-4.

In 1977 James "Jim" McKinley would become head coach of the A&T football program. McKinley would take the helm of the Aggies after leaving his first head coaching position at Central State University in Ohio. During his 5 year career at North Carolina A&T, His record was a total 29 wins, 32 losses and 1 tie with a highlight 9 wins and 3 losses for the 1980 season. McKinley would leave A&T in 1981 to coach at Prairie View A&M Panthers football in Texas.

Maurice "Mo" Forte would become the team's next head coach in 1982. Four years later, the Aggies would win their second MEAC championship. That season, standout Quarterback Herbert Harbison, and Wide receiver Alan Hooker were key components to the team's championship run. Hooker's 63 catches and 883 receiving yards would set a school record, that to this day still stands. Forte's record with the Aggies would end at 26 wins, 38 losses, and 1 tie.

Bill Hayes era (1988-2002)

In 1988, William "Bill" Hayes would take the helm of the Aggie program. In 1990, the Aggies would maintain a 9-2 record and be crown the 1990 Black college football National Champions. The following season, the Aggie's infamous defensive line, known as the "Blue Death Defense" would be a driving force in the team successful MEAC championship campaign. The team would gain a end their season in a 13-36 losing effort to Alabama State in the now defunct Heritage Bowl.

The 1992 season would prove to be another successful one for the Aggies. The team would again capture the MEAC conference championship, with a 9-3 record, and advance to the NCAA Division IAA playoffs, where they lost to The Citadel.

The 1999 Aggie team is arguably the most dominant team in the program's history. That season, the Aggies went undefeated against all MEAC opponents for the first, and only, time in the program's history. The team also set a school record for most wins in a single season with 11 total and defeated number 1 ranked Tennessee State to earn the school's first NCAA playoff victory.

That year, the Aggies were also awarded their third Black College National Championship. Over his 15 seasons with the Aggies, Hayes would compile a record of 106 wins, making him the all-time leading coach in school history.

Small and Fobbs (2003-2008)

In 2003, George Small was named head coach of the Aggies. That same season, the team won their sixth MEAC championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Division IAA playoffs, where they lost to Wofford in the first round.

The following two seasons, the Aggies would go 3-8 and Small would have end his career at A&T with a record of 16 wins and 19 losses.

In 2006, Lee Fobbs Jr. became the 16th coach of the Aggie program. Fobbs tenure was marked with failures as the team would endure a 27 game losing streak over his first two years as head coach. The Aggies were ranked 114th out of 118 in the Football Championship Subdivision in total offense, 113th in passing offense and 107th in scoring offense. On August 30, 2008, the Aggies defeated Division II opponent Johnson C. Smith 44-12 in their season opener to break the losing streak. The following week, the Aggies would go on to defeat rival Winston-Salem State. Following those games, the Aggies resumed their losing trend as they lost the next six games, including a 28-27 loss to rival North Carolina Central, which is in the second year of its transition to Division I. Fobbs was relieved of his coaching duties on October 21, 2008, and the following week, the Aggies beat Howard 21-20. Running back coach George Ragsdale was named interim coach for the remainder of the 2008 season, where the team went 1-3.

Home stadium

Main article: Aggie Stadium (North Carolina A&T)

The Aggies play home football games at Aggie Stadium which opened in 1981. Before the construction of Aggie Stadium, North Carolina A&T Aggies played their home football games at Greensboro’s War Memorial Stadium, which was home to the nearby minor league baseball franchise. The university saw a great need to have an on campus stadium that could hold the growing number of fans attending home football games. Aggie Stadium was designed by architect W. Edward Jenkins, a North Carolina A&T alumnus, and opened in 1981. The first game played there was on September 12, 1981 against local rival Winston Salem State University to an overflow crowd of more than 23,000 fans. To date, the largest single game attendance at Aggie Stadium was set in 2001 when 34,769 people were in attendance for a football game against the rattlers of Florida A&M University.

Culture

A&T football has traditions that range from the long standing, to new. The following are football traditions associated with the Aggie football program:

Marching band

Main article: Blue and Gold Marching Machine

The Aggie Football Team is supported by The North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine, the university's marching band. Started in 1918, it is one of the longest standing traditions of A&T football. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine perform the pre-game ceremonies, halftime, and post game for all A&T home football games, in addition to traveling to most away contests.

Mascot

"Aggie," sometimes referred to as the "Aggie Dawg" (or Aggie Dog), is the live mascot for North Carolina A&T. Although, the physical representation of the athletic teams is a bulldog, the term "Aggie" has a historical connection to the university. The term "Aggie" has long been used to refer to students who attend agricultural schools. Hence the reason the university adopted the nickname "Aggies" when the school was founded in 1891.

Traditions

At the conclusion of all home games, and away games in which the marching band travels, the coaches, players, cheerleaders, and student section gather near the marching band to since the school song, Dear A&T. Another A&T football tradition is the Student Section. The Aggie Livewires, have been the official cheering section of the Aggies since their inception in 1995. The Livewires are known for starting cheers, spreading spirit at athletic events, and their involvement on campus and the community at large. The student organization occupies section R in the West grandstand of Aggie Stadium, next to the band.

Rivalries

The Aggie's chief rival is it's in-state, and fellow MEAC competitor, North Carolina Central University. While its rivalry with North Carolina Central University is its most renowned and intense, North Carolina A&T has a historic rivalry with Winston-Salem State University, and to a lesser degree with South Carolina State University.

North Carolina Central University

Main article: North Carolina A&T – North Carolina Central rivalry

Commonly referred to as the "Aggie–Eagle rivalry," this particular rivalry dates back to the first Aggie Football game in 1924; in which the game ended in a 13-13 tie. The intensity of the rivalry is driven by the proximity of the two schools, as both are only 55 miles apart via U.S. Interstate 85, the size of the two schools, as North Carolina A&T is the largest Historically Black College and University in the state with North Carolina Central being the second, and the fact that both schools are competing for many of the same students and athletes. Fans of both teams tend to place great emphasis on this rivalry and the intensity of it causes splits among many families, marriages, and other groups over their respective teams.

Winston-Salem State University

The rivalry with Winston-Salem State is arguably, the second most important rival of the Aggies. The series dates back to 1952, and has roots in the CIAA, where both teams were at one time members. The rivalry is driven by the close proximity of the two schools, as both are approximately 30 miles apart via U.S. Interstate 40, coaching personnel and conference ties once shared by both schools. Since Winston-Salem State's decision to discontinue the transition to Division I citing financial reasons, this rivalry has been placed on hold for the foreseeable future.

Individual honors

Players

MEAC Players of The Year

Offense

• 1971 - Willie Wright (SE)
• 1975 - George Ragsdale (BR)
• 1976 - Ellsworth Turner (RB)
• 1986 - Allen Hooker (QB)
• 1990 - Connell Maynor (QB)
• 1991 - Connell Maynor (QB)
• 2001 - Maurice Hicks (RB)
• 2011 - Mike Mayhew (RB)

Defense

• 1971 - Ben Blacknail (LB)
• 1977 - Dwain Board (DE)
• 1984 - Herbert Harbison (PR)
• 1984 - Earnest Riddick (DL)
• 1985 - Earnest Riddick (DL)
• 1988 - Demetrius Harrison (LB)
• 1989 - Demetrius Harrison (LB)
• 1992 - Rodney Edwards (LB)
• 1997 - Chris McNeil (DE)

Lineman of The Year

• 2001 - Qasim Mitchell

Rookie of The Year

• 2009 Mike Mayhew

Coaches

• MEAC Coach of the Year

Hornsby Howell (1974, 1975)

Jim Mckinley (1980)

Mo Forte (1986)

Bill Hayes (1991, 1999)

George Small (2003)

All-Americans

Below is a list of All Americans selected by The Associated Press (AP)

Name	Position	Year(s)	All-America Team
			Demetrius Harrison	LB	1989	2nd Team
Craig Thompson	TE	1991	Honorable Mention
Curtis Burgins	DB	1993	3rd Team
James White	RB	1993	Honorable Mention
Ronald Edwards	OL	1993	Honorable Mention
Leevary Covington	LB	1993	Honorable Mention
Tim Johnson	LB	1994	Honorable Mention
Chris McNeil	DE	1997	1st Team
Darryl Klugh	DB	1999	2nd Team
Curtis Deloatch	RS	2001	1st Team
Maurice Hicks	RB	2001	3rd Team

Below is a list of All Americans selected by The American Urban Radio Network, American Sports Wire, Sheridan Black College Poll and other polls.

Name	Position	Year
John Daniels	C	1938
David Morris	DB	1974
Dwaine Board	E	1978
George Small	LB	1978
Ed Hooker	DB	1987
Demetrius Harrison	LB	1989
Craig Thompson	TE	1991
Kevin Little	DL	1991
Knox Thompson	DL	1991
Rodney Edwards	LB	1992
Alonza Barnett	DB	1992
Ronald Edwards	OL	1993
Curtis Burgins	DB	1994
Jamaine Stephens	OL	1995
Monty Key	P	1996
Chris McNeil	DL	1997
Darryl Klugh	DB	1999
Anthony Nobles	OL	2000
Marcus Bryson	TE	2001
Maurice Hicks	RB	2001
Qasim Mitchell	OL	2001
Yonnick Matthews	K	2003

Team achievements

National championships

North Carolina A&T has been awarded the Black college football national championship a total of 3 times in the program's history. Though this title is not recognized by the NCAA, it is awarded to the best HBCU program competing in either the NCAA's Division I FCS level or Division II.

Year Coach Selector Overall Record Conference Record 1968 Hornsby Howell Pittsburgh Courier 8–1 6–1 (CIAA) 1990 William "Bill" Hayes American Sports Wire 9–2 5–2 (MEAC) 1999 William "Bill" Hayes American Sports Wire 11–2 8–0 (MEAC) National Championships 3 In 1951, North Carolina A&T was awarded a national title outside of the Black college national championship. Undefeated seasons Year Record Conference Record Coach 1927 8–0–0 7–0-0 (CIAA) Lonnie P. Byarm 1943 4–0–0 3–0-0 (CIAA) Charles U. DeBerry Undefeated Seasons 2 Perfect Seasons (no losses or ties) 2 Conference Championships North Carolina A&T joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as a founding member in 1969. Before that the Aggies were members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), where they won 5 conference titles. Since joining the MEAC, A&T has claimed 6 conference titles. Year Coach Conference Overall Record Conference Record 1927 Lonnie P. Byarm CIAA 8–0–0 7–0–0 1950 William M. Bell CIAA 6–2–1 5–0–1 1958 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 7–2–0 7–0–0 1959 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 6–2–0 6–0–0 1964 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 6–3–1 6–0–1 1975 Hornsby Howell MEAC 5–1–0 6–0 1986 Maurice “Mo” Forte MEAC 9–3–0 4–1–0 1991 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 9–3–0 5–1–0 1992 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 9–3–0 5–1–0 1999 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 11–2–0 8–0 2003 George Small MEAC 10–3–0 6–1–0 Total conference championships 11 Bowl games Date Played Bowl Game Winning Team Losing Team January 1, 1943 Flower Bowl North Carolina A&T (20) Southern (12) January 1, 1945 Flower Bowl Tyler Junior College (18) North Carolina A&T (0) January 1, 1949 Vulcan Bowl Kentucky State (23) North Carolina A&T (3) January 1, 1949 Vulcan Bowl Kentucky State (23) North Carolina A&T (3) December 10, 1949 Orange Blossom Classic North Carolina A&T (20) Florida A&M (14) December 2, 1978 Gold Bowl Virginia Union (21) North Carolina A&T (6) December 6, 1980 Gold Bowl North Carolina A&T (37) North Carolina Central (0) December 21, 1991 Heritage Bowl Alabama State (36) North Carolina A&T (13) Overall Bowl Record 3-4 (7 games)

All-time record vs. current MEAC teams

This table reflects the results of MEAC matchups when both N.C. A&T and its opponent were members of the conference. A&T began MEAC play in 1970; this list has been updated through the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season.

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Meeting Bethune-Cookman 14 22 0 .389 lost 1 1977 Delaware State 20 22 1 .477 Lost 1 1971 Florida A&M 15 44 3 .266 Won 2 1938 Hampton 15 26 2 .372 Lost 7 1925 Howard 25 20 2 .553 Won 2 1924 Maryland Eastern Shore 13 13 2 .500 Lost 1 1952 Morgan State 36 43 3 .457 Lost 2 1930 Norfolk State 28 11 0 .718 Won 1 1962 North Carolina Central 49 31 5 .606 Won 3 1924 Savannah State 1 0 0 1.000 Won 1 2012 South Carolina State 18 31 2 .373 Lost 1 1924 Totals 234 263 19 .472 Notable Players Further information: List of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumni Many North Carolina A&T Aggie players have gone on to play football in the professional ranks. Former Aggie football player Elvin Bethea has been inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while several former players; including Mel Phillips, George Ragsdale, George Small, and Connell Maynor have gone on to become coaches for NFL and college teams. Players like Jesse Jackson, and his son Jesse Jackson Jr. have made names for themselves in politics and civil rights activism. Aggies in the Pros Aggies in the NFL NFL Draft selections Total selected: 20 First picks in draft: 0 1st Round: 0 NFL achievements Total Players: 57 In the Pro Bowl: 1 In the Super Bowl: 3 Hall of Famers: 1 Over 70 former North Carolina A&T players have gone on to play professionally for the NFL, CFL, AFL and other leagues including: Jessie Britt, Dwaine Carpenter, Junius Coston, Tom Day, Curtis Deloatch, Henry Douglas, Cornell Gordon, Michael Hamilton, Maurice Hicks, Melvin Holmes, Jason Horton, Toran James, Jamal Jones, Qasim Mitchell, Mel Phillips, George Ragsdale, George Small, Maurice Smith, Walter Stith, Joe Taylor, Dick Westmoreland and Donald Willis. Other notable former Aggie football players include: Robert "Stonewall" Jackson, the first player from a Historically Black College to be drafted into the NFL; Pro Bowl player J.D. Smith; Super Bowl champions Dwaine Board, Cornell Gordon, Troy Pelshak; and Hall of fame inductee Elvin Bethea Coaches and staff Head Coaches See also: List of North Carolina A&T Aggies head football coaches The Aggies have had 19 coaches in their 113-year history. William "Bill" Hayes holds the distinction of being the All-Time Winningest Coach in the program's history, with 106 victories. Over the span of his 15 season career at A&T, Hayes let the Aggies to 2 Black College National titles, the program's first ever win in the NCAA I-AA playoffs, and 3 MEAC titles. Other notable A&T football coaches include Hornsby Howell, who led the team to it's first MEAC championship; and Burt Piggott, who led the Aggies to 3 CIAA championships and 8 consecutive winning seasons, a feat unmatched by any coach in the history of the program. The current head coach of the Aggies is Rod Broadway. In 2011, he was named head coach of the program after leaving Grambling State University. In 2012, Broadway lead the Aggies to their first winning season in 9 years. Current coaching staff Name Position Season at N.C. A&T Rod Broadway Head Coach 4th Rickey Bustle Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2nd Sam Washington Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs 4th Shawn Gibbs Running Backs 4th Keith Wagner Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator 4th Charles Cheek Inside Linebackers 3rd Courtney Coard Defensive Line 4th Chip Hester Wide Receivers 1st Trei Oliver Outside Linebackers/Travel Coordinator 4th Colin Williams Tight Ends 4th Reference: NCATAggies.com Future opponents Future Conference Opponents With the MEAC's 11 football team setup, teams are rotated on a two-year cycle with alternating home and away games. North Carolina A&T plays North Carolina Central (NCCU) and South Carolina State (SCSU) as a permanent annual conference opponents, with the remaining eight being rotated on and off of the schedule. 2014 2015 2016 2017 vs Hampton vs Bethune-Cookman at Bethune-Cookman TBA at Savannah State at Norfolk State vs Norfolk State TBA Future Non-Conference Opponents 2015 2016 2017 2018 at University of North Carolina TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA At the start of the 2014 football season, it was announced that the Aggies have signed a one year contract to play the University of North Carolina Tarheels on September 12, 2015 in Chapel Hill. This game will mark the first meeting between the two teams. Notes References External links College Football Database Warehouse: North Carolina A&T Historical Data {{DEFAULTSORT:North Carolina A&T Aggies football}} [[Category:North Carolina A&T Aggies football|*]] [[Category:Sports clubs established in 1901]] [[Category:1901 establishments in North Carolina]]