Jamie Reidy discusses Alcorn State’s hiring of its first white football coach.
Alcorn State has hired Jay Hopson as its football coach, making the former Memphis defensive coordinator the first “non-black” head coach in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, according to the school.
I love what Coach Hopson had to say about the significance of his race:
“I don’t see black or white, we’re all purple and gold,” Hopson told reporters after being introduced.
The school president M. Christopher Brown offered some inspiring words, ones that Alcorn State fans will hopefully heed:
“Today’s historical appointment will require us to walk hand in hand to disrupt naysayers wedded to a racist past,” Brown told reporters.
What do you think about this hire?
About Jamie Reidy
This could be a good move. Virginia Union basketball coach Dave Robbins initially faced resistance from other coaches at HBCUs like Clarence “Big House” Gaines, but he won a bunch of games and sent some guys (Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace) to the NBA.
If he can do the job then good for him.
Can he do the job? Was he the most qualified applicant? Qualifications matter. If the answer to those questions is yes – this is a non-story.