Cole Steps Down.. Ramsey Steps In

Coach Johnnie Cole has stepped down as head coach of the Texas Southern University Tiger Football team. Cole stepped down after meeting with the Athletic Administration. After the meeting, the two decided to part ways in the best interests of Cole and TSU.

Cole met with the players on Wednesday at the field house where he broke the news. He gave players his final words of encouragement and wished them the best of luck next season with their new head coach. Cole said that this was not something that he wanted, but might be in the best interests of all parties involved.

“I would love to stay, but the administration and I decided that it is best that we go our separate ways,” Cole said.

Cole led the Tigers to the first outright SWAC Championship in school history in the 2010 season. He was also named the 2010 SWAC Coach of the Year.

“I’ve done what I set out to do and that is come back to my school and lead a team to a championship,” Cole said.

Athletic director, Charles McClelland, met with the players on Friday and announced that Cole was relieved of his duties as the head football coach. McClelland later released a statement giving reasons why Cole was relieved.


"We anticipate major NCAA violations toward our football program with regards to recruiting, unethical conduct, and academic inconsistincies among other things," McClelland said.

McClelland also revealed to the players that defensive coordinator, Kevin Ramsey, has been named the interim and future head Coach for the 2011 season. The players gave a roaring ovation for the decision to make Ramsey head coach.

"Coach Ramsey is a great person and I'm happy for his family and the whole staff," said senior running back Martin Gilbert.

Now the Tigers and their new head coach are focusing on the possibilities of a repeat season and a Black College National Title.

"Our chances increased because, when you look at last year, the defense was the strong point of the team and now we have Coach Ramsey controlling the offense as well," said Gilbert. "I look at it as a blessing in disguise."

Although the moment was bitter sweet for the defending SWAC champion offense,who ranked 12th in the FCS in rushing, the players were excited that Ramsey would be taking over both sides of the ball.

"I think that the program just took a positive turn. All the players respond to him very well and he's a very good guy," said Tiger receiver Richard Samuel.

Ramsey led the highly regarded "212" degree defense to a number one ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision in the 2010 season.

"It's not going to effect us. It's just going to increase our strength," said defensive back Kydarian Wilkins.

Ramsey also fired assistant head coach Darryl Williams once he was awarded the job and told players that it was the beginning of a fresh start.

"I feel like a change was needed. I feel like he is going to turn this around and do it the right way," said Wilkins.

Ramsey gave some encouraging words to the players about the future season and new goals that he has set for the TSU football program.

"These guys really want to win and they want to be a part of the reason we repeat as champions. The change will allow them to put all of the speculations behind them and focus on the future," said Ramsey. "We are here to win...in the classroom, on the field, and in life."

Despite the coaching change spring football will continue for the defending SWAC champion Tigers as scheduled. There have been no rumored or official changes made to the events leading all the way through the ring ceremony on April 17th.