Benedict College Men's Football

Benedict College President Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis and Director of Athletics Willie Washington are proud to announce the hiring of Ron Dickerson Jr. as head football coach for the Tigers on Jan. 25, 2024.   Dickerson has a long successful history as a football coach, bringing more than 27 years of coaching experience to the Tigers.   He comes to Benedict after serving the last two seasons at the University of West Florida, helping the Argonauts to back-to-back Gulf South Conference championships, a 20-6 record and a berth into the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 2022. He served as the UWF Offensive Coordinator and wide receivers coach last season, helping the Argos rank 17th in the nation in passing offense, and 20th in the nation in total offense. As the team's wide receivers coach in 2022, he guided a passing attack that ranked fifth in the nation in passing yards per completion.   "Benedict College was fortunate to have had a robust pool of applicants for the Head Football Coach position," Artis said. "After a long and thorough search, we believe Coach Dickerson is the ideal person to take Benedict College football to the next level.  We welcome he and his family to Benedict and to the City of Columbia!"   "After reviewing hundreds of applicants for the head coaching position, Coach Dickerson quickly stood out as someone who could step in immediately and continue the successful ways of this program," said Washington. "His experience at a wide variety of football levels, as well as at both HBCU and non-HBCU programs, will enhance our football program and take us to new heights. I believe his hard work ethic runs in his blood, learning from his father, who was a legendary coach."   "I have an incredible respect for Benedict College and its commitment to excellence," Dickerson said. "The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of HBCUs, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Benedict community. I want to thank Director of Athletics Willie Washington and President Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis for their belief in me to lead this program."   Dickerson takes over a Benedict program that is coming off back-to-back SIAC championships and HBCU Division II national championships. The Tigers went undefeated during the regular season in 2022 and 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs both years.   Prior to joining West Florida, Dickerson spent the 2019 season as the Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Jackson State. While there, he developed the weekly game plan and coached the Tigers' wide receivers. He worked for two seasons at Morgan State from 2017-18 where he developed the top special teams units in the MEAC and ranked in the top five nationally in blocked kicks as the Associate Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.   Dickerson was the head coach at Gardner-Webb from 2011-12 where he compiled a 7-15 record and had 10 players earn All-Big South Conference. He then served as the Offensive Coordinator at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala. from 2014-17.   He coached under Houston Nutt at Mississippi for four seasons from 2007-10, developing two All-Americans and four All-SEC wide receivers. The Rebels finished second in the SEC West twice and won a pair of Cotton Bowl Classics in Jan. 2009 and 2010. He got his start as a position coach working with running backs in six seasons at Louisiana-Monroe and Missouri State from 2002-07.   Dickerson obtained some professional coaching experience with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2000-02, coaching running backs and special teams.   He started his coaching career under his father, Ron Dickerson, at Alabama State in 1997 as the Run Game Coordinator.   During his extensive coaching career, Dickerson has been responsible for 29 All-Conference players, seven All-Americans, and has seen 14 former players advance to the National Football League.   Dickerson had a strong collegiate and professional playing career as a running back and kick return specialist. Following a four-year career in football and track at Arkansas, he spent two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dickerson then played two years with NFL Europe, playing for the London Monarchs and Scottish Claymores, winning the NFL Europe Championship in 1996 with the Claymores.   He received his Bachelor's Degree in Recreational Education from the University of Arkansas in 1996.   Dickerson and his wife, Kendreah, have three children: Kristen, Ashten and Keegan.  

Marcus Spearman joins the football staff as associate head coach and defensive line coach. Spearman comes to Benedict from West Virginia Wesleyan, where he spent the last five seasons, including the last three as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. He also spent two seasons as defensive line coach and director of football operations. Prior to WVWC, Spearman served as the inside linebackers coach at Morgan State in 2018. He was a part of a unit that ranked No. 1 in sacks and No. 3 in rushing defense in the MEAC and the highest conference ranking the program had accomplished in 10 years. In addition, helped lead the Bears to its best MEAC ranking, since 2008, in scoring, pass efficiency, takeaways, 3rd downs, 4th downs, and red zone defense. Prior to Morgan State, Spearman coached was the linebackers coach and equipment operations director at SUNY Maritime College. During his second year with the program, Spearman helped lead the defensive unit to the third best defense in the ECFC as the unit allowed 17.9 points per game and 281.8 yards per game with 14 Sacks and 27 tackles for a loss as a unit. Following the conclusion of the team’s nine-win season, he saw a pair of linebackers earn All-Conference honors and one receive honorable mention. During his collegiate coaching career, Spearman has guided 15 all-conference players, one Cliff Harris Award finalist and one NFL camp invitee. The Newburgh, N.Y., native played linebacker for  the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats for two seasons (2012-13) He saw time in 20 games over his two years at Wesleyan accumulating 12 sacks and 45 career tackles. His nine sacks during his senior year were 15th best in all of NCAA Division II in 2013. Spearman received Second Team All-Conference honors in 2012.   Before arriving to WVWC as a player, Spearman was a member of the Lackawanna College football program for parts of two seasons with the Falcons. In his two seasons in Scranton, Pa., Spearman helped the team to 16 wins and two post season bowl games appearances.

Shea Campbell joins the Benedict College Football  program as the defensive coordinator and will work with the linebackers in 2024. He comes to Columbia following two seasons working at West Florida. He worked with the tight ends in 2022 and transitioned back to defense and worked with the defensive line in 2023. Campbell was a productive linebacker at West Virginia from 2015-2019. He transferred to West Florida, where he became an All-American. He transitioned quickly into the coaching role shortly after. During his coaching career, Campbell has guided one Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, one GSU Freshman of the Year, one unanimous All-American, two All-Region players, five All-Conference players and three NFL mini-camp invitee. The Argos participated in two NCAA playoff berths, making one national semifinal appearance, and back-to-back GSC champions, with Campbell on the staff. Campbell earned a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from West Virginia University in 2019. He also earned his masters at The University of West Florida in Physical Education/Sports Performance.

Stan Clayton joins the Benedict Football coaching staff as the Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach. He joins the Tigers after serving as Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach at Morehouse last season. He spent the 2022 season at Morgan State as Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach. He also served three seasons (2018-2020) at Stetson as Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach. He has also served as offensive line coach at Morgan State (2017), Lafayette (2009-2016), Toledo (2006-2008), Princeton (2000-2005), Alabama State (1998-1999) and Massachusetts (1996-1997). He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Penn State in 1995. A native of Cherry Hill, N.J., Clayton played at Penn State and was a member of the Nittany Lions’ 1986 national championship team, which famously defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. He was an honorable mention All-American in 1987 before being selected in the 10th round of the 1988 draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Clayton received his degree in Administrative Justice and minor in Business Law from Penn State in 1988. His NFL career included two seasons in Atlanta, two in New England (1990-91) and one in Pittsburgh (1992).

Davon Smith will begin his second season as running backs coach at Benedict College. Smith received a bachelor's degree in sports management from Benedict College in May 2022. He is presently working toward a master's degree in sports management. Smith came to Benedict in 2019 from Northwestern State. He spent three years at NSU playing football for head coach Brad Laird. He played two years under head coach Chennis Berry at Benedict. He contributed to Benedict's first-ever undefeated title season and added a touchdown to the victory over Tuskegee in the 2022 championship game. He is the sone of David Smith and La'Tanya Lindsey and is a native of La'Marque, Texas.