Virginia State University Men's Football

Dr. Henry Frazier, III was named the 26th Head Football Coach for the Virginia State University Trojans on May 10, 2022 and will be entering his fourth season at the helm of the Trojans in 2025. In the 2024 season the Trojans earned a 7-4 overall record and a 6-1 conference record. The team had the distinction of representing the CIAA in the Black College Foorball Hall of Fame Game against Benedict College. The Trojans were named Co-CIAA Regular Season Champions after defeating Virginia Union 35-28 on their senior day. The team returned to the CIAA Championship game for the first time since the 2017 season. Marquis Edmond won CIAA Defensice Rookie of the Year and Bruno Onwuazor won CIAA Lineman of the Year. In the 2023 season the Trojans had an 8-2 record and a 6-2 conference record. The team started 7-0 which is the best start for a team coach by Frazier. The team also scored the most point in recent history in a 75-25 win over Lincoln University. Willie Drew earned CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and KJ McNeil earned CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year. In total nine Trojans landed on the All-CIAA team. In his first season in 2022 Coach Frazier lead the Trojans to a 6-4 record and a 5-3 conference record. Matthew Foster won Offensive Lineman of the year with six other Trojans earning All-CIAA honors. Henry Frazier III, PhD was born in Washington, D.C. He is currently the Head Football Coach at Virginia State University.  Dr. Frazier is an educator and teacher at heart.  He was a four-sport student-athlete at Fairmont Heights High School in Capitol Heights, MD., lettering in football, basketball, baseball and golf. Following a standout high school gridiron career under the direction of head coach Ralph Paden, Frazier took his talents to nearby Bowie State University.    Frazier played quarterback for BSU and went 18-3-1 as a starter. He guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA playoffs in 1988 and a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship in 1989.    After graduating from Bowie State in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Frazier began his career as a “Leader of Young People” at Central HS in Capitol Heights, MD where he was a teacher and head football and baseball coach. In his final year at Central HS, Frazier was named Vice Principal where he was able to implement “FALL” Football And Life League, a program designed to uplift young people through applying life and athletic skills in order to excel on and off the field of play.    Following the completion of his master's degree in School Administration/Supervision from Bowie State, Frazier continued to climb the coaching ladder and was named the head football coach at Bowie State University in 1999. In 2001, Frazier led Bowie State to its best season since 1989 with a 7-3 record. Frazier moved the BSU program to another level during the 2002 season with their first-ever CIAA Eastern Division title and CIAA championship game appearance. Continuing the winning tradition in 2003, he guided the Bulldogs to their third consecutive winning season with a second-place finish in the CIAA Eastern Division and birth in the Pioneer Bowl. Frazier’s 26 victories at his departure from Bowie State was the most wins in school history.    Frazier spent the next 7 years (2003 – 2010) as head football coach at Prairie View A&M University leading one of the greatest turnarounds in NCAA history.  He took over a program that experienced the nation’s longest losing streak from 1989-98, dropping 80 straight contests prior to his arrival. Frazier and his staff built one of the top programs in the country.  In 2007, the Panthers enjoyed its first winning season since 1976 and Frazier was selected as Coach of the Year by the College Sporting News and the Black College Sports Page.  Frazier continued to rewrite the record books in 2008 as he led the Panthers to a No.25 national ranking after the team posted its best record since 1964 with a 9-1 season and was named the Sheridan Broadcast Network/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in addition to the American Football Coaches Association Region III FCS Coach of the Year.  In 2009, Frazier guided the Panthers to their first conference championship since 1964 going undefeated in league play and was presented with a host of coaching honors, including SWAC Coach of the Year and a repeat selection as AFCA Region III FCS Coach of the Year. He also became the first African American and at the time, the only coach from a historically black college or university to receive the prestigious Eddie Robinson Award, given annually by The Sports Network to the top coach in the Football Championship Subdivision.  Under Frazier's leadership, PVAMU defeated every SWAC institution.  After leaving PVAMU, Frazier became head football coach at North Carolina Central University 2010 -2013 and led them to their first winning season since 2006 with a 6-5 record in 2012.  In his two seasons at Virginia State University, Frazier has a record of 14 wins and 6 losses, bringing his collegiate win total to 91 wins!  Frazier successfully completed his Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University in 2015.  Dr. Frazier went full circle in 2014 returning to his professional beginnings, Prince George’s County Public Schools—serving as Athletic Director at Bladensburg HS until summer 2016.  Dr. Frazier then took on a new assignment as the Athletic Director and Activities Coordinator at The Historic Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Washington, DC—The Nation’s First HS for African Americans where he continued leading young people and developing champions.  For Dr. Frazier’s efforts, he was recognized as Washington, DC Athletic Director of the year in 2018-19.  He also returned to Bowie State University as Special Assistant to the Head Football Coach from 2018-2021.  Dr. Frazier then became Director of Leadership and Character Development at the University of Maryland/College Park for its football program from 2021-2022.  Dr. Frazier previously could be heard during the fall on XM/Sirius radio broadcasting college football for Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) 2014-2016.  For the 2019 football season, Frazier was a color analyst for ESPN3.  Frazier is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. initiated in 1987 at then Bowie State College.  In 2014 Henry Frazier III was inducted into the Bowie State University Sports Hall of Fame, in 2016 Coach Frazier and his 2009 football team was inducted into the Prairie View A&M University Hall of Fame, and in 2017 Coach Frazier and his 2002 football team was inducted into the Bowie State University Sports Hall of Fame!  In 2021, Frazier was inducted into his High School Football Hall of Fame, and in 2024, Frazier and his 1988 Bowie State University’s football teammates was inducted into the Hall of Fame!  Frazier and his Wife, Keisha, have a blended family with eight children.    Year Season Record Conference Record 2022 6-4 5-3 2023 8-2 6-2 14-6 11-5

The 2025 season marks Jerome Jeters fourth season as the Wide Receivers Coach of the Virginia State University Football program after joining the Trojan family in 2022. Under Coach Jeter guidance, the Trojans (2024) finished the season with 2,484 yards in passing. Two of the top WRs in Conference (Malik Hunter & Kevin Gayles Jr 2nd Team All-Conference) another 2 WRs (Tayshawn Porter & Tylique Ray) in the Top 20 in Conference.  2024 CIAA Regular Season Champions. In 2023, finished the season with 2,200 yards in passing.  He had three WRs to be in the top 25 in Conference (Roy Jackson, Tylique Ray, Lucas Nunez) In 2023 the Trojans had a record-breaking game with 75 points in a game. Coach Jeter, his first year at Virginia State, finished the season with 2,042 passing yards. He had three WRs (Tylique Ray, Malik Hunter, Roy Jackson) to be in the top 25 in Conference. Coach Jeter arrived at Virginia State University with 14 years of coaching experience. The last three seasons were spent at George Wythe High School as Head Coach, He Coached all levels of the game as a Offensive Coordinator or offensive position Coach (Youth, AAU, Semi-Pro, High School) Before becoming a coach, Jeter played collegiately at Virginia State University, where he played Wide Receiver for the Trojans from 2002 to 2005 under Coaches Lou Anderson and Andrew Faison. He was on the All-Rookie Team/ All Conference Teams.  His All-Time career numbers put him in the Top 10 in Receptions, Yards and Touchdowns in Virginia State University Records. From 2005-2007, Jeter played in the Arena Football League for the Spokane Sparks. The Richmond, Virginia native holds a bachelors degree in physical education, Recreation & Health from Virginia State University. Jeter and his fiancée, Kirmika are proud parents of two kids.  

Kris Wilson was promoted to Offensive Line Coach & Recruiting Coordinator prior to the start of the 2023 season after joining the Trojans Football staff as a graduate assistant defensive line coach in 2022. Coach Wilson attended Virginia State University from 2015 to 2018, where he was a four-year starter, including two seasons on the defensive line and two seasons on the offensive line. Wilson was a starting defensive tackle for the 2017 CIAA Champion Trojans. Virginia State went 10-1 overall and was undefeated in conference play that season. In 2018, Wilson was a starting left tackle, a team captain, and he participated in the FCS Senior Bowl in Daytona, FL. Prior to returning to Virginia State as a coach, Coach Wilson was varsity offensive line coach and defensive ends coach at Glen Allen High School in Richmond, VA from 2019 to 2021. Coach Wilson is from Richmond, VA and he graduated from Varina High School. Initially, Coach Wilson attended Liberty University, playing one season for the Flames in 2014 before transferring to Virginia State. Coach Wilson earned his Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Virginia State.

The 2023 season marks Coach Voris' first season on the Virginia State University football staff. Coach Voris brings over 19 years of quality football experience to the Trojans staff. His previous experiences included oversight in areas of coaching assistance and operational management of teams that led to superior insight and coordination in managing programming conducive to the overall benefit of personal player development. In 2022, Coach Voris served as the Defensive Line/Strength Coach at Ohio Dominican University. Prior to that, Voris was Defensive Line/Tight Ends/ H-Back/Strength & Conditioning Coach/Video/Social Media Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point from 2019 to 2021. Coach Voris has been a defensive assistant for his alma mater Teays Valley High School and a defensive line/assistant sports performance coach at his alma mater Capital University.  Voris has also served as the Director of Athletic Performance at Plus Two University, working extensively with NFL, Collegiate, and High School Defensive Lineman with exercise programs and position specific skill development. Voris played college football at Capital University for four years and completed strength and conditioning internships at The Ohio State University and Denison University, along with a football coaching internship with Capital University. Coach Voris graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science, and Capital University with a degree in Health and Fitness Management with a minor in Coaching. Coach Voris is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA, a Certified Strength Coach (CSC) with the NCSF, a Certified Specialist in Speed and Explosion (CSS) with the NASE, a Level 1 USAW Certified Coach, and a Level 1 RPR Certified Coach.

Coach Dr.Shedrick D. McCall, Jr. enters his first season as the running backs Coach at Virginia State University bringing a fresh vision, high energy, and a relentless commitment to building a winning culture both on and off the field. A native of Richmond, Virginia Coach McCall comes to Virginia State University with over 25 years of coaching experience at the high school/recreational level, most recently serving as running backs coach at Trinity Episcopal High School.  Known for his passion, leadership, and ability to develop players, Coach McCall has a strong track record of success.  His notable achievements includes, 5 high school playoff appearances, 1 high school state championships, over 5 little league championships, and has been a part of coaching a plethora of student athletes who have gone on to be successful college football players.  As a former running back at Maryville College Coach McCall understands the demands of being a student-athlete and is dedicated to mentoring his players to succeed in the classroom, in competition, and in life. His coaching philosophy centers on accountability, academic achievement, developing men, and fostering a team-first mentality. Coach McCall holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Counseling and a Ed.D in Counseling Psychology. Coach McCall is excited to lead the Trojans running backs into a new era of excellence. He and his wife Dr. Shannon McCall, and their two children Shedrick, III (VSU Alumni 2024) and Madison are proud to be part of the Virginia State University athletic/academic community. 

The 2025 season marks Jerome Jeter’s fourth season as the Wide Receivers Coach of the Virginia State University Football program after joining the Trojan family in 2022.    Under Coach Jeter's guidance, the Trojans (2024) finished the season with 2,484 yards in passing. Two of the top WRs in the Conference (Malik Hunter & Kevin Gayles Jr – 2nd Team All-Conference), another 2 WRs (Tayshawn Porter & Tylique Ray) in the Top 20 in the Conference.  2024 CIAA Regular Season Champions.   In 2023, finished the season with 2,200 yards in passing.  He had three WRs to be in the top 25 in the Conference (Roy Jackson, Tylique Ray, Lucas Nunez). In 2023, the Trojans had a record-breaking game with 75 points in a game.  Coach Jeter, in his first year at Virginia State, finished the season with 2,042 passing yards. He had three WRs (Tylique Ray, Malik Hunter, Roy Jackson) to be in the top 25 in the Conference.  Coach Jeter arrived at Virginia State University with 14 years of coaching experience.   Jeter was at George Wythe High School as Head Coach, and he coached all levels of the game as an Offensive Coordinator or Offensive Position Coach (Youth, AAU, Semi-Pro, High Schools)   Before becoming a coach, Jeter played collegiately at Virginia State University, where he played Wide Receiver for the Trojans from 2002 to 2005 under Coaches Lou Anderson and Andrew Faison. He was on the All-Rookie Team and All-Conference Teams.  His All-Time career numbers put him in the Top 10 in Receptions (121), Yards (1,852 yards), and Touchdowns (17) in Virginia State University Records. From 2005-2007, Jeter played in the Arena Football League for the Spokane Sparks.   The Richmond, Virginia native holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Recreation & Health from Virginia State University.   

The 2023 season marks Coach Cox's first season on the Virginia State University football staff. He is a six-year veteran of the Richmond Fire Department and he served as a Mental Health Specialist for Future Generations. Cox is a former National Football League, NFL Europe, and Canadian Football League player. Cox played for the Scottish Dragons (NFLE), the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), the F.C. Barcelona Dragons (NFLE), and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL). He played for the Tiger-Cats from 2004 to 2007 and totaled 164 tackles and two interceptions. He originally signed to the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2000 and appeared in five games in 2001 for the Jaguars. Coach Cox is a native of Richmond, VA, graduating from Huguenot High School, before playing college football at the University of Maryland. Cox graduated from Maryland with a B.A. in Criminology.

The 2023 season marks Coach Bradley’s first season returning to Virginia State University’s Trojan football staff after holding a Graduate Assistant Coaching position in 2018 under former Head Coach Reggie Barlow. Coach Bradley, a Richmond, VA native is a Virginia State Alumni and four year starter for the Trojans 2013-2016. Coach Bradley  won two northern division titles & made 2 CIAA Championship appearances in 2013 & 2014 respectively under former head coach Latrell Scott. Winning in 2014 and no contest in 2013. Coach Bradley made majority of his impact playing Free Safety , Strong Safety & Nickelback as true freshman. Bradley tied the NCAA Division 2 record for the longest interception returned for a TD for 100 yds and set the record for the most single game Interception return yards with 154 yds.

For his first year as the Assistant Special Teams Coordinator & Specialists Coach at Virginia State University, Coach Anthony Prevost will lead and coach the Specialists while assisting with special teams quality and operations. The Trojans are excited and looking forward to another phenomenal season.  He is the former Specialists Coach at Virginia Union University and the former Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Panther Club Soccer Programs.  Anthony Prevost joined Virginia Union University in the spring of 2021 as the Specialists Coach. During his time with the Panthers, he helped the special teams unit achieve its season goals and reach its full potential by ensuring the specialists were well-trained and performing at a high level.  At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Prevost and the Panthers became CIAA Conference Champions (10–2). He coached sophomore kicker Brady Myers, who finished the season ranked #1 overall in the CIAA, received First Team All-CIAA honors, and was named CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Prevost also coached junior punter Marvin Holmes, who finished the season as the #2 punter in the CIAA, with a punt average of 37.4 yards from 49 punts over 12 games.  In the 2022 season, Prevost coached true freshman kicker Brady Myers, who also finished the season ranked #1 in the CIAA, earning First Team All-CIAA, CIAA All-Rookie Team, and CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year honors. Sophomore punter Marvin Holmes was among the top two punters in the nation by average. He finished the season as the #1 punter in the CIAA, averaging 43.5 yards per punt on 33 punts in 11 games. He ultimately received Second Team All-CIAA honors and nearly broke the school record with a 73-yard in-game punt.  At the end of Prevost’s first year in 2021, dual-kicker Jefferson Souza (former All-American) was selected to participate in the 2021 HBCU Legacy Bowl.  Coach Prevost is the founder of Superior Specialists (established in 2016), a training service dedicated to the fundamental development of kickers, punters, long snappers, and holders. Superior Specialists works with athletes aged 8 and up, including middle school, high school, college, and professional levels. The service provides athletes the opportunity to develop their skills while learning the mechanics and techniques necessary for success at every level of play. Each athlete benefits from one-on-one instruction from coaches committed to teaching the physical and mental techniques needed to reach their full potential on and off the field.  From 2018 to 2020, while playing arena football in Richmond, VA, and Wheeling, WV, Prevost also coached JV and Varsity football at Surry County High School in Dendron, Virginia. There, he served as the Special Teams Coordinator, Assistant Offensive Coordinator, and position coach for Quarterbacks, Linebackers, and Specialists.  Coach Prevost graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2017. He is a former FCS, MEAC, and Black College All-American kicker (2013) and is currently a professional free agent dual kicker, also playing kick returner, slot receiver, and long snapper. He brings over 16 years of kicking experience and knowledge.  He is a 2024 American Arena League Champion (Wheeling Miners), 2019 AAL Champion (West Virginia Roughriders), and a former player for the Richmond Roughriders (2018). Prevost is also part of the National Scouting Combine staff, serving as the Offensive Coordinator.  He graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 2012, where he held the “Most Career Points Scored” record until 2018. In high school, he played quarterback, kicker, punter, and kick returner, and was a VHSL State Championin 2009.  Coach Prevost is married to his high school sweetheart, Lauren Prevost. They have one son, Andre Prevost, two dogs (Boomer and Silas), a turtle (Mango), and a bird (Tango). Coach Prevost has won six championships and shares a birthday with his godson on September 4th. 

The 2025 season will mark Carlos Fields, Jr.'s fourth season as the Defensive Coordinator of the Virginia State University Football program after joining the program in 2022. In the 2024 season, Defensive Coordinator Carlos Fields, Jr. led the Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans to impressive national defensive rankings: 16th in Passing Defense: The Trojans allowed an average of 174.5 passing yards per game. 12th in Scoring Defense: They limited opponents to an average of 16.3 points per game. 14th in Passing Efficiency Defense: Opposing quarterbacks were held to a passer efficiency rating of 104.7. 16th in Team Sacks: The defense recorded 3.0 sacks per game. 16th in Passes Intercepted: The Trojans secured 16 interceptions over the season. 13th in Turnovers Gained: They forced a total of 24 turnovers. 28th in Total Defense: VSU allowed an average of 292.8 total yards per game. Standout performances from key defensive players drove these achievements: Carl Poole Jr.: The linebacker earned First Team All-Conference honors, leading the team with 85 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Donavon Howard: The safety also secured First Team All-Conference recognition, contributing 4 interceptions and 8 pass breakups. Marquis Edmond: As a freshman safety, Edmond was named the Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year, recording 31 tackles, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in seven starts. KJ McNeil: The linebacker earned Second Team All-Conference honors, registering 70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Jayshaun Alston: The defensive end was named to the All-Conference Second Team, achieving 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Mustapha Coly: Another defensive end who earned Second Team All-Conference honors, Coly contributed 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. In the 2023 season, under the leadership of Defensive Coordinator Carlos Fields, Jr., the Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans' defense achieved remarkable national rankings: 3rd in Third Down Conversion Percentage Defense: The Trojans limited opponents to a 25.3% conversion rate on third downs. 4th in Passing Yards Allowed: The defense conceded an average of 139.1 passing yards per game. 7th in Passing Efficiency Defense: Opposing quarterbacks were held to a passer efficiency rating of 97.2. 6th in Total Defense: VSU allowed an average of 252.3 total yards per game. Standout performances from key defensive players bolstered these accomplishments: Willie Drew: Nationally, he ranked second in pass deflections per game (2.2) and fourth in interceptions per game (0.6). His exceptional play earned him the titles of CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and First Team AFCA All-American. KJ McNeil:  McNeil's impressive debut season garnered him the CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Miqueal Pillow-Smiley: His impactful performance earned him a spot on the All-CIAA Second Team. In his first season, Coach Fields, Jr. guided the Trojans to a top-five rushing defense in the CIAA, and the Trojans' 21 sacks were top-five in the conference, as well. Additionally, there were three Virginia State All-CIAA selections on the defensive side of the ball in 2022.  Zion Johnson: The linebackers earned the first-team All-CIAA honors.  Willie Drew:  The defensive back earned the first-team All-CIAA honors.  Miqueal Pillow-Smiley: The defensive linemen earned second-team All-CIAA honors.  Before VSU, Fields served as the Assistant Defensive Line and Linebackers coach at Alabama A&M under Head Coach Connell Maynor. With Fields' support, the Bulldogs achieved a 7-3 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the SWAC, including a victory over the 2021 Celebration Bowl Champions, South Carolina State. Before Alabama A&M, Fields spent two seasons as the Assistant Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, and JV Linebacker Coach at Thomasville High School, where he also oversaw game day operations. His coaching career began at his Alma mater, Winston-Salem State. At WSSU, Fields took on multiple roles within the Rams' football coaching staff, serving as a Defensive Assistant, Defensive Quality Control Assistant, and High School Relations Coordinator, among other responsibilities. After a distinguished football career, Fields chose to swap his shoulder pads and helmet for a hat and a headset. He is celebrated as one of the greatest Linebackers to don a WSSU jersey, having been a four-year starter and a two-time team captain. Fields earned recognition as a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-American Linebacker, and a three-time All-CIAA Linebacker. During his four seasons at WSSU — from 2010 to 2013 — Fields amassed more than 300 tackles, including nearly 30 tackles for a loss, at linebacker. He was a part of the best team in CIAA history in 2012 when the Rams went 14-1 and lost to Valdosta State in the Division II NCAA Championship Game. Fields totaled a career-high 117 tackles with nine stops for a loss, nine pass deflections, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles that season. After graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Winston- Salem State University, he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft and signed with the Oakland Raiders. He then went on to play for nine NFL teams over three years before retiring after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles.   Fields and his wife, Taz, have a beautiful family with three children. Fields is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. 

Coach Rahmann Lee took over as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach of the Trojans in Spring of 2025. The last three seasons Lee was the Offensive Coordinator at West Virginia State University. As the OC at WVSU he lead an offense that averaged over 30 points per game every year. This past season he lead the offense to 33.2 PPG which was 23rd in the nation and 195.8 rushing yards per game which was 19th in the Nation. In his three years at WVSU Coach lee coached 13 All Confernece players, including the schools all time leading rusher Joel Felder. Lee spent the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator at ASA Miami (JUCO). Down in Miami Coach Lee put up big numbers on and off the field, helping over 17 kids reach 4 years schools.  Prior to taking on the coordinator position at ASA Miami, Coach Lee spent 2 seasons as the running backs coach and video coordinator for FCS Division I football program, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He made an impact in his time at UAPB, as the running backs coach Taeyler Porter who led the SWAC In rushing over this stint finished with 2,247 yards rushing with 23 TD’s. Coaching him to the 2018 rushing title in the SWAC conference and BOXTTHROW All-American honors. Lee was a graduate assistant at North Carolina Central University working with Wide receivers before moving to Defensive Backs. Coach Lee attended and graduated in 2015 from Glenville State College located in WV, with his Bachelors of Science in Sports Management with a minor in Accounting. Lee was a four-year starter at Glenville as the feature running back. During all four years, he was selected as First-Team All-Conference (WVIAC 1 year MEC 3 years) , and three of those years he was selected as an All –American. He is Glenville State all-time leader in rushing yards with 4,907.  Coach Lee is also currently second in the history of Division II in most rushing yards in a game with 412 yards. (9-10-15 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan) A native of Maryland; Lee resides in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Autum and son Riley Lee.

The 2023 season marks John Pearce's second season as the Defensive Line and Special Teams Coordinator for the Virginia State University Football team after joining the Trojan family in 2022.  In his first season guiding the defensive line and special teams units, the Trojans finished top five in the conference with 21 sacks and Pearce coached an All-CIAA defensive lineman (Marquel Pillow-Smiley). On special teams, Virginia State finished first in the conference in punt return yards and fifth in kick return yards. Prior to arriving at Virginia State, Coach Pearce served eight seasons as the head football coach at Sul Ross State University. He was selected as a member of the NCAA South RAC Committee in 2019-2022 and will also serve on the NCAA Football Rules Committees in 2020-2022. Pearce also is a longstanding member of the AFCA and THSCA Association.  Coach Pearce is a recipient of the 2014-2015 Academic Excellence in Coaching at Sul Ross. He has coached six ASC Academic All-Conference Players, 36 ASC All-Conference players, one All-American, and one All-South Region player. Coach Pearce and his former student-athletes were active in the Alpine community through community service efforts. The team took part in the Kiwanis Highway Clean Up, where student-athletes would help the city 'Keep Texas Beautiful'. Student-athletes helped set up fundraiser events for the Alpine Public Library and the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.  In his third year as head coach, Pearce guided the Lobos to their first winning season in ten years. The Lobos finished the 2016 season with a 6-4 mark, going 4-2 against ASC competition.  Sul Ross finished the 2016 season third in the ASC, which was their highest finish since 2012 when they placed fourth. It is also their second-highest finish after tying Hardin-Simmons for first place in 1996.   Coach Pearce was recognized as the 2016 ASC Coach of the Year by the American Southwest Conference. Coach Pearce has enjoyed coaching in the state of Texas for the past 18 years. Before taking over the reigns at Sul Ross, he served on the staff at Blinn College. Prior to Blinn, Pearce coached nine years at Prairie View A&M University, including two years as the defensive coordinator. He has also coached at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., Bowie State University, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, and Norfolk State University. A 1991 graduate of the University of Delaware, majoring in health and physical education, Pearce received a master’s degree in secondary education from Bowie State. Coach Pearce and his wife, Samantha Krumpe, have two sons, Max and Calvin. Max is a graduate of University of Texas and currently resides in Austin, Texas. Calvin is a graduate of University of Minnesota at Morris and is currently a football graduate assistant for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, in Terre Haute, Indiana.