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http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/SPORTS/707210363/1002
July 21, 2007
ASU hires suspended Lanier coach
By Josh Moon
[email protected]
Alabama State University on Friday hired a former Sidney Lanier High coach who was suspended last year for allegedly exposing himself to a group of football players. ASU also had its most experienced assistant coach quit to accept another job.
Craig Payne, who was placed on suspension by Lanier last year after three football players alleged he dropped his pants and exposed himself "several times" as a motivational tactic, was hired as the Hornets' director of football operations. In addition, offensive line coach Jim Marshall, the only coach on ASU's offensive staff with more than six years of college coaching experience, resigned to accept a job at a Texas college.
"I don't know all the particulars on (Payne's) situation, but I do know that he was eligible to coach and teach in the public schools this year," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "That says a lot, I think. For what he was accused of doing, most people go to jail. That he didn't says to me that there was something else there."
Several attempts to reach Payne at his home and on his cell phone late Friday evening were unsuccessful.
The students -- two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old -- accused Payne of indecent exposure, according to a police report at the Montgomery Police Department. The case was closed when the students' parents declined to press charges.
Last year, Montgomery Police Capt. Huey Thornton told the Montgomery Advertiser that Payne's actions were apparently not of a sexual nature.
"There's a saying, 'You need to get a set,'" Thornton stated. "Apparently, there were no sexual overtones."
Barlow said Payne's hiring should be complete by Monday, after the completion of paperwork. He also pointed out that Payne won't be coaching in his role at ASU.
"He's not going to be out there on the field," Barlow said. "His role here is primarily administrative stuff -- handling recruiting, that sort of thing."
The next hire Barlow makes will be an on-the-field coach -- an important one. With the departure of Marshall, Barlow is losing the one offensive coach he could go to for advice.
"Losing Jim is a big blow to us, a big blow to me," he said. "This was just one of those situations where an opportunity came along and it was too good for Jim to pass up. Finding someone is a little tougher at this point because it's so close to the season, but I have some ideas. We'll get somebody in here."
Reached on his cell phone, Marshall wouldn't comment on his decision to leave ASU.
Marshall, who had more years of experience than ASU's other four offensive coaches combined, was expected to play a big role in the formation of Barlow's new West-coast offense. Several times in the spring, Barlow talked about taking his ideas to Marshall for his input and advice and how important the veteran coach was to the entire coaching staff.
"I just don't know if you replace the knowledge of a Jim Marshall," Barlow said. "He was an important member of this staff and was going to be key for us this fall. And I just don't know if you can replace all that knowledge. We were relying on Jim a lot."
However, Barlow said he had some prospects in mind already and several attributes he would be looking for.
"I put together a list of coaches early on, so I have some people to call that I want to talk to," he said. "It will be a little tougher finding good coaches right now, but there are some out there. I think we'll probably look first at some more experienced coaches, maybe add a veteran coach who I can bounce ideas off of."
The only name Barlow mentioned was that of former NFL tight end Ben Coates, who applied for ASU's offensive coordinator position earlier this year.
"He contacted me a couple of weeks ago and I haven't gotten in touch with him yet," Barlow said. "Maybe that was a sign. We'd be lucky to have a guy like that with all of that experience. I know his situation and I think he'd love to have the job."
July 21, 2007
ASU hires suspended Lanier coach
By Josh Moon
[email protected]
Alabama State University on Friday hired a former Sidney Lanier High coach who was suspended last year for allegedly exposing himself to a group of football players. ASU also had its most experienced assistant coach quit to accept another job.
Craig Payne, who was placed on suspension by Lanier last year after three football players alleged he dropped his pants and exposed himself "several times" as a motivational tactic, was hired as the Hornets' director of football operations. In addition, offensive line coach Jim Marshall, the only coach on ASU's offensive staff with more than six years of college coaching experience, resigned to accept a job at a Texas college.
"I don't know all the particulars on (Payne's) situation, but I do know that he was eligible to coach and teach in the public schools this year," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "That says a lot, I think. For what he was accused of doing, most people go to jail. That he didn't says to me that there was something else there."
Several attempts to reach Payne at his home and on his cell phone late Friday evening were unsuccessful.
The students -- two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old -- accused Payne of indecent exposure, according to a police report at the Montgomery Police Department. The case was closed when the students' parents declined to press charges.
Last year, Montgomery Police Capt. Huey Thornton told the Montgomery Advertiser that Payne's actions were apparently not of a sexual nature.
"There's a saying, 'You need to get a set,'" Thornton stated. "Apparently, there were no sexual overtones."
Barlow said Payne's hiring should be complete by Monday, after the completion of paperwork. He also pointed out that Payne won't be coaching in his role at ASU.
"He's not going to be out there on the field," Barlow said. "His role here is primarily administrative stuff -- handling recruiting, that sort of thing."
The next hire Barlow makes will be an on-the-field coach -- an important one. With the departure of Marshall, Barlow is losing the one offensive coach he could go to for advice.
"Losing Jim is a big blow to us, a big blow to me," he said. "This was just one of those situations where an opportunity came along and it was too good for Jim to pass up. Finding someone is a little tougher at this point because it's so close to the season, but I have some ideas. We'll get somebody in here."
Reached on his cell phone, Marshall wouldn't comment on his decision to leave ASU.
Marshall, who had more years of experience than ASU's other four offensive coaches combined, was expected to play a big role in the formation of Barlow's new West-coast offense. Several times in the spring, Barlow talked about taking his ideas to Marshall for his input and advice and how important the veteran coach was to the entire coaching staff.
"I just don't know if you replace the knowledge of a Jim Marshall," Barlow said. "He was an important member of this staff and was going to be key for us this fall. And I just don't know if you can replace all that knowledge. We were relying on Jim a lot."
However, Barlow said he had some prospects in mind already and several attributes he would be looking for.
"I put together a list of coaches early on, so I have some people to call that I want to talk to," he said. "It will be a little tougher finding good coaches right now, but there are some out there. I think we'll probably look first at some more experienced coaches, maybe add a veteran coach who I can bounce ideas off of."
The only name Barlow mentioned was that of former NFL tight end Ben Coates, who applied for ASU's offensive coordinator position earlier this year.
"He contacted me a couple of weeks ago and I haven't gotten in touch with him yet," Barlow said. "Maybe that was a sign. We'd be lucky to have a guy like that with all of that experience. I know his situation and I think he'd love to have the job."
Surely, this guy is a helluva coach right!
