Jackson State Fan Starts Drive to Remove Coach

By Kendrick Marshall
Black College Wire

This season left many Jackson State football fans disappointed. And one Tigers fan has taken matters into his own hands, establishing a Web site for supporters of the squad who want to remove what they believe to be the source of the problems -- James Bell.

Photo credit: Jackson State University James Bell

The second-year head coach was the inspiration for www.bellgottago.com, a Web site created by Jackson, Miss., native Reginald Knox.

Knox, a longtime Tigers fan, said he was fed up with the direction of the team in the midst of its second consecutive losing season. He said he wanted a way for the university to get the message that fans would no longer settle for the perceived ineptitude of the team's coach.

"This Web site is dedicated to giving Bell the boot," Knox said.

But Knox and those who believe a change is needed have not gotten their wish. On Nov. 24, the Jackson State administration retained Bell as head coach for the final year of his three-year, $85,000-per-year contract.

"Win-loss record is not the final determination," Jackson State Athletic Director Roy Culberson said after announcing that no coaching changes would be made. Culberson and University President Ronald Mason Jr. have both cited Bell's fund-raising abilities and the football team's improved grade point average.

Knox said he was frustrated.

"Many feel that he is not doing a good job," Knox said. "We have an interest in JSU football and are brimming with frustration. Through this Web site, we intend to help the JSU football program return to its winning tradition."

Knox said he did not believe the university made a respectable choice by hiring Bell after firing his predecessor, Robert Hughes, at the end of the 2002 season. Hughes had three consecutive 7-4 seasons.

"The hiring was a farce," Knox said. "I am confused as to where the president and the athletic director felt justified in hiring James Bell."

Knox was still able to joke about the situation, saying of Bell, "Was a winning tradition ever in his coaching career?"

Before setting foot on the Jackson State campus, Bell posted a 1-9 record at Caesar Chavez High School in Houston, his only prior head coaching job. Before that, Bell was a defensive coordinator at Indiana, Louisville and Wake Forest universities.

By Nov. 20, Knox's Web site had received more than 4,000 hits. The site includes message boards, links to news related to Jackson State football and "bellgottago" baseball caps and T-shirts.

More than 700 people have signed an online petition. According to Knox, the petition was sent to Mason and Culberson two days after the Tigers were defeated in the Capital City Classic by the Alcorn State Braves, 16-14.

Robert Rhymes, former Student Government Association president and 1999 Jackson State graduate, was one who signed.

"I'm more than familiar with the rich winning tradition at Jackson State," Rhymes said. "I feel it to be the responsibility of both the alumni and the administration to preserve the legacy of Jackson State University."

The third-generation Jacksonian said die-hard football fans should react when a situation arises in the athletic department.

"It should be no surprise to anyone that true fans of JSU football would be displeased with Bell's performance as head coach," he said.

"Winning at JSU means a lot, " sophomore biology major Justin Reed added. "We expect to compete at the top of the [Southwestern Athletic Conference] every year."

Attendance at Tigers football games dropped from an average of 29,068 three seasons ago to 16,273 this season.

During Bell's tenure, Jackson State has recorded a 6-17 record.

Kendrick Marshall is a student at Jackson State University and editor-in-chief of The Blue and White Flash.

Posted Dec. 6, 2004