Grambling Coach Breathes More Easily After Inquiry

By Shawn Chollette
Black College Wire

Photo credit: Grambling State University Melvin Spears accepts position as Grambling's interim football coach.

Things have settled down to a slow, midsummer�s pace in Grambling State University�s athletics department.

It was knocked out of kilter by the firing of athletic director Al Dennis as one of new president Horace Judson�s first acts after he took the job July 1. Then, the department had to cope with the uncertainty that followed questions about interim head football coach Melvin Spears� academic credentials.

For a time, it wasn�t safe to mention the words �master�s degree� around Grambling without generating shudders. Now, the phrase draws sighs of relief, since Northern Arizona University has confirmed that Spears does indeed have one.

Dubbed "degree-gate,� by some, the inquiry into Spears credentials was initiated after an anonymous tip to University of Louisiana System officials. It could not have come at a more pivotal time for Grambling athletics. Had Spears stepped down, he would have been the school's third major athletics loss, after the firing of Dennis and the departure of former head coach Doug Williams in February for a position in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office.

Spears just shrugged when asked if he thought an inquiry was necessary.

�I knew my degree was there from the beginning; I just had to go through the formalities of getting the actual diploma,� said Spears. He completed the coursework for a master�s in administrative leadership and holds bachelor�s of science degrees in computer science and applied mathematics from Alcorn State University.

�I�m not that concerned about ulterior motives. It�s about whether or not someone had a problem with what was on my resume, so I had to prove that my resume is accurate,� said Spears.

A native of Clinton, La., Spears says a number of factors led to his not receiving the actual diploma.

�After changing jobs, moving from Arizona back to Louisiana and having my grandfather pass, at the time, getting the actual diploma wasn�t that important to me,� he said.

�It was certainly a blessing that my adviser was still at NAU when I went to Arizona to clear up the mess and could easily vouch for me.�

Also backing Spears was Williams, who brought him to Grambling in 1997.

�Coach Spears is an excellent coach and he knows what he�s doing. I have all the faith that he�ll maintain the integrity of Grambling football,� Williams said.

Williams, who is also Spears' first cousin, went on to say that the resume flap was a fluke.

Spears "has been at Grambling for six, going on seven years as a coach, and no one ever questioned his credentials. And as soon as he becomes head coach somebody sends an anonymous tip?� asked Williams rhetorically.

�The situation wasn�t about whether or not Coach Spears had a master�s degree or not. This was about someone, for whatever reason, not wanting Coach Spears to be coach.�

Named interim coach after Williams� departure, Spears said he�s just glad that the problem has been fixed and praised the way Judson handled the situation.

�I�d like to tip my hat to President Judson for giving me an opportunity to straighten out the situation as opposed to doing otherwise,� said Spears.

Judson could not be reached for comment, but said earlier that lack of a master�s degree was not the problem.

"While a master's degree is not a requirement to coach here at Grambling State University, it is essential that all information submitted on official employment applications be accurate and certifiable. It is vital that we maintain in every respect the integrity of this institution,� Judson said.

And now that the degree incident has been resolved, many around Grambling are looking ahead.

�I think it was an honest mistake, but now that it�s over with, we�re going to get back to business and get ready to win the SWAC,� said James Smith, a sophomore mass communications major from New Orleans and tight end for Grambling.

Spears said he was ready to do the same. He said the inquiry was just a learning experience.

�The reason that Grambling has been able to maintain all these years is because the university is built on pride. And I think that if everybody comes together and works . . . there�s no doubt in my mind we can raise the bar for this institution.�

Shawn Chollette is a student at Louisiana Tech University

Posted July 26, 2004