Former Grambling State University head football coach Melvin Spears Jr., has been named head football coach of Alcorn State University.Spears, who has served as offensive coordinator of the Alabama State University Hornets for the past year, is the Braves’ 17th head coach. He is an alumnus of Alcorn.
As a head coach, Spears compiled a head coaching record of 20-14-0 (.588) in three seasons.
Prior to being named head coach at Grambling, Spears served as an assistant head coach at GSU and Morgan State University.
Dr. Norris Edney, who led the Alcorn search committee, said the university was “pleased and excited” to have Spears on board.
“When we set out on this search, we noted that we were seeking a coach who has a proven record of championship success and achievement. Coach Spears brings that proven record of accomplishment and success to our program.”
After becoming head coach at Grambling in 2005, Spears guided the team from a 6-5 record the previous year to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.The 2005 season was the G-Men’s first undefeated SWAC mark (9-0) since 1989. The squad averaged 44.1 points per game, and finished with an 11-1 overall record and a Sheridan Broadcasting Network co-national championship.
For his accomplishments that season, Spears was named SWAC Coach of the Year and Division IAA Southwest All-Region Coach of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
Prior to his appointment as GSU’s interim head coach in 2004, Spears served as the Tigers’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator from 1998 to 2003 under former head coach and GSU legend Doug Williams. As an assistant on the staff, Spears was instrumental in the Tigers’ three consecutive National Black College and SWAC championship title runs from 2000 to 2002.
“The hiring of Coach Spears signifies a new era of Braves football and affirms our commitment to provide our student-athletes and fans with a leader who will continue our commitment to excellence across the board,” Dr. Edney said.
The highlight of Spears’ tenure as offensive coordinator occurred in 2002, when the Tigers broke 14 Grambling State single-season records and led the nation in both passing offense and scoring offense. As a direct result from his efforts that season, Spears was named the 2002 Division I-AA Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly magazine.
“The hiring of Coach Spears signifies a new era of Braves football and affirms our commitment to provide our student-athletes and fans with a leader who will continue our commitment to excellence across the board,” Dr. Edney said.
Spears succeeds Earnest Collins, who resigned to accept another opportunity on Dec. 30, 2010, after two seasons as head coach at The Reservation with an 8-12 (.666) record, including a 5-6 mark in 2010.