Page 30 - NCAT Magazine Fall 2018

athletics
changing of the guard

Football’s Broadway retires, Washington named Head Coach

By Brian M. Holloway ’97

North Carolina A&T head “I am grateful to this great to the highest standards of The Aggies have had the
football coach rod and historic university, North accountable. Rod’s work No. 1 total defense in the
BroadWay announced his Carolina A&T State, for the ethic is unmatched. I will conference three straight
retirement from coaching opportunity to be its head miss him as a colleague but seasons. A&T has also had
January, after completing the football coach for seven will always consider him a the No. 1 rush defense in the
Aggies’ best season ever. years,” said Broadway. “I am friend and a confidant.” conference six times in seven
grateful to two men I hold years. Nationally, the team’s
Broadway retired after seven in high esteem, Chancellor Aggie Athletics held a defense has never ranked
seasons with the Aggies. Martin and Athletics Director press conference Jan. 9, to lower than 20th under
He then served as a special Earl Hilton, for believing announce the appointment Washington, including a No.
assistant to the athletics in me and the direction I of sam WashingTon 4 ranking in 2017. The Aggies
director for six months. wanted to take this program. as the 19th head coach in had the nation’s best run
I am grateful to the players, A&T history. Washington defense in 2012.
During the 2017 season, they have made this a previously served as
Broadway led N.C. A&T wonderful experience for me assistant head coach, “It has been an honor and
to a 12-0 finish with and my family. defensive coordinator and privilege to serve under
accolades that included secondary coach. Coach Broadway both
Aggies Win MEAC Baseball Championship winning the Mid-Eastern “I am grateful to what I at Grambling State and
Athletic Conference title, consider a great coaching “Coach Washington North Carolina A&T,” said
the Celebration Bowl game staff. They have conducted holds many of the same Washington. “I could not
In the summer of 2014, the On May 20, 2018, the senior “First off, those young men
baseball program hired an group of Sowell, Ordonez, are quality people,” said and the HBCU national themselves with the upmost characteristics as Coach ask for a better friend and
assistant coach named Ben Rivera, Hunt and McAlister Hall, who won the title in his championship. In the integrity and professionalism. Broadway. We have believed mentor than Rod Broadway.
Hall. Two months later he along with Hall and the hometown of Daytona Beach, process, the Aggies broke And I am grateful to the for some time that coach What I saw him accomplish
was N.C. A&T’s interim head rest of the Aggies baseball Florida, after leading the school and conference very hardworking support Washington has the skills, at North Carolina A&T is
coach. His team included a program won the 2018 MEAC Aggies to a school-record 16 records for wins and became staff we have here at North temperament and leadership nothing less than remarkable.
few freshmen he recently championship with a 12-9 win conference wins. the first MEAC and HBCU Carolina A&T.” qualities to be a collegiate
met named myles soWell, over their longtime nemesis in Division I-AA team ever to head coach,” said Hilton. “We “Following a legend is never
adan ordoneZ, milTon the tournament, the Bethune- “They trusted we would put finish undefeated and untied. Hilton said, “I love the man are confident the trajectory easy, but coach Broadway
riVera, a.J. hunT and k.J. Cookman Wildcats. good players around them. not only for what he has of the football program will taught me so much over
mCalisTer. Leadership is important. Senior In 15 seasons as a head accomplished during his time remain on a winning path the years, I am poised to
Four years removed from leadership is imperative,” coach, Broadway amassed as our head football coach at with coach Washington at continue having success in
Hall and those players that 10-win season, the Hall continued. “Those a 127-45 (.738) record with North Carolina A&T, but also the helm. We are eager to Aggieland. I thank Chancellor
experienced a 10-win season 2018 Aggies broke the guys getting tournament four HBCU titles and six for who he is as a person.” see him do well in a position Martin and Mr. Hilton
in 2015 and did not qualify school record for wins (32- experience last year for the conference championships. he richly deserves.” for what is an awesome
for the Mid-Eastern Athletic 23) and won the program’s first was important because In January (2018), his .737 “… He got to go out on his opportunity ….”
Conference Championship fourth MEAC title and the we learned from it and grew winning percentage was the own terms, a luxury not Under Washington’s
(MEAC) Baseball Tournament. first since 2005. Sophomore from it. So, what happened best winning percentage afforded to most coaches. leadership as the Aggies In September, Aggie football
They won 13 games in 2016 ZaCh mClean was named is we returned a team full of among active FCS coaches. He took our football program defensive coordinator for earned its highest national
and did not qualify for the the tournament’s Most hungry kids who wanted to In the history of FCS play, from being the laughing seven seasons, the Aggies ranking in the school’s
tournament. In 2017, they Outstanding Player and do nothing but win. They had he also has the third- stock of the (Football have consistently produced history—No. 4 in the country
reached the tournament and McLean, junior daWnoVen one purpose and that’s not to highest winning percentage. Championship Subdivision) one of the best defenses according to STATS FCS’s
were one win shy of making smiTh, Rivera, and Sowell leave Daytona Beach without a Broadway spent four seasons to being the envy of black in the nation. The Aggies media poll.
the championship game. were named to the all- championship.” apiece at North Carolina college football and one of have been the MEAC’s No.
tournament team. Central (2003-06) and the premier programs on the 1 total defense and scoring
Grambling State (2007-10). FCS level. He did it with class defense four times in the
and intelligence. He held past seven years.
everyone within his program

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