Spears' degree seems OK
GSU coach did course work, not actual paperwork for receiving a diploma
http://www.thenewsstar.com/sports/html/3FB53AE2-C37E-47B2-A055-D9EEB677A0B2.shtml
Nick Deriso
nderiso@thenewsstar.com
July 10, 2004
GRAMBLING - When interim Grambling State football coach Melvin Spears' former professor backed him up on his master's degree coursework on Friday, it only underscored the deft leadership of GSU's new president.
As questions arose about Spears' credentials, President Horace Judson listened carefully to Spears' version of events and then gave him a week to verify a master's degree in administrative leadership from Northern Arizona University.
"I give credit to Dr. Judson for granting him that chance," said Mike Woods, chairman of the University of Louisiana System board, which oversees GSU. "It's hard to understand how someone would go through 36 hours and not get their diploma - but I understand that Coach Spears' grandfather had died during the process and he didn't get the piece of paper."
A transcript specialist in Arizona confirmed Thursday that Spears attended NAU from 1994-97, but found no record of his receiving a degree.
Dr. William Wright - the chair of the department of research, foundations and leadership at NAU - said Spears completed the coursework in 1997, but must finish some minor paperwork to get the actual degree. Wright confirmed that to The News-Star on Friday night.
"Really, it's a question of having a degree posted - not having completed the degree requirements," Wright said. "Melvin has done that."
Spears remains in Flagstaff, Ariz., where NAU is located, but said he would not comment until he returned to Louisiana.
An official inquiry into his credentials began with an anonymous tip to the ULS board.
"I received a fax from an academic clearinghouse out of the blue which shows no degree," Woods said. "The system office was tipped off that he did not have a valid master's degree, so Grambling is trying to discern that."
Woods spoke with Wright this week, as well. "He contends that the coach did get all the necessary course work," Woods said, "yet never went through the process of getting his diploma granted. That's what we're are trying to determine."
Wright said the necessary paperwork should be completed within days and an updated transcript will be complete well before Judson's deadline, which is Thursday. Judson never confirmed what the consequences for failing to verify the degree might be.
Woods said he felt the situation would be resolved quickly.
"My gut reaction is that he's complied with the degree requirement," Woods said, "but still needs to fill out the paperwork."
A native of Clinton, Spears graduated with a bachelor's degree from Alcorn State then worked for Motorola. He began his coaching career in 1992 as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Casa Grande Union High School in Casa Grande, Ariz. Spears also served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Morgan State University in 1995-96.
Former coach Doug Williams hired Spears as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at GSU in 1997.
The master's degree has been included on media materials since then.
For at least one fan, the anonymous nature of the tip seemed to point to darker motivations.
"I question the motives of the people behind the scenes who initially brought this information to the administration and the media," said Earling Hunter, a Monroe native who graduated from GSU in 1998. "It amazes me that the disdain for Doug Williams and subsequently Coach Spears, is so rampant that they would risk the reputation of the university, and the integrity of the football team - just to get the coach that they want in place."
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