Howard Seeking New Men�s Basketball Coach

By Jonathan Davis
Black College Wire

After a disappointing 5-23 season, which included only two wins in 18 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contests, it was clear that something needed to change for the Howard University Bison men's basketball team.

A search committee will seek a replacement for coach Frankie Allen.

But few expected the university to fire men's basketball coach Frankie Allen, who had posted a 52-83 record in five seasons at the school.

The Bison concluded the season with 17 consecutive losses. The Bison went the last eight weeks and two days without a victory. The team�s last win occurred at Burr Gymnasium on Jan. 8, when sophomore guard Will Gant's last-second shot defeated the Morgan Bears, 79-77.

"This was a very difficult decision for the university," Howard University Athletic Director Sondra Norrell-Thomas told the Washington Post. "Coach Allen has done some wonderful things during his tenure at Howard. However, our men's basketball program has not been at the level we expected, and a change in leadership at this time best positions us for success. We feel strongly that our men's basketball program needs to go in a different direction, and it was obvious to me that the change had to be made now."

The March 9 announcement that Allen would be relieved of his duties shocked such players as sophomore forward Jason Trotter.

"I was in disbelief," Trotter said. "I couldn't believe he was terminated as a head coach. I found out on Tuesday night after the banquet that he was not going to be with us and it was a long, long bus ride home."

"I was kind of shocked that it happened so fast," said sophomore guard Darek "Skip" Mitchell.

Before Allen�s arrival, the Bison had a record of 3-52 from 1998 to 2000. The former head coach at Virginia Tech and Tennessee State led Howard to a 10-18 record in his first season.

The next year, the Bison�s record was 18-13, the best season in a decade at the time. The team advanced to the MEAC Tournament title game for the first time since 1992. Unfortunately, the Bison lost the title match.

The next two seasons saw the Bison moving backward, as the team finished with an 11-17 record in 2002-2003, a 6-22 record in 2003-04 and a 5-23 showing this season.

A big reason for the team�s poor record this season was the academic ineligibility of key veterans such as junior guard Louis Ford, who missed the final 26 games. The team was also without senior forward Bilal Russell because of an ankle injury. The leading scorer, sophomore forward Cliffone Ault, did not play in the final eight games of the regular season for personal reasons.

Norrell-Thomas, the athletic director, said she was putting together a search committee to select a replacement for Allen. No matter what coach comes in, team members say they have to put their best foot forward in the off-season and get better.

"We have to come together as a team and work hard together to become a better team," said Mitchell.

Jonathan Davis, a student at Howard University, writes for The Hilltop.

Posted March 21, 2005