CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August - With the 2024 CIAA football season just days away, all 12 institutions are gearing up for a long 10+ weeks of hard-nosed action in hopes of concluding the season with a championship victory. Let’s take a small glimpse into what to expect from each team.
Bluefield State enters the 2024 season with a fresh start after a rough 2023 campaign that saw them start the season off with a win against Livingstone, their lone victory of the season. They looked for a change of leadership and went on to hire Davon Morgan as the second head football coach since bringing back football less than 5 years ago. Morgan’s coaching and professional playing career is extensive and will provide him with all the tools he needs to hopefully turn the Big Blue around this season. Bluefield State will commence the season with a week zero matchup against Winston-Salem State, a team that shut them out in 2023.
Bowie State is no stranger to success, as they’ve registered winning seasons every year since 2015, including three championship-winning seasons in 2018, 2019, and 2021. They concluded 2023 at 6-4 after rattling off three consecutive victories to end the season and will look to carry that momentum into 2024. Head coach Kyle Jackson took over in an interim role during the 2022 season and fully took over prior to the 2023 season, already making a positive impact on the team. The Bulldogs will kick off the season with back-to-back non-conference matchups against Lenoir-Rhyne and Davenport, respectively.
Elizabeth City State comes into the 2024 season in hopes of accomplishing their first .500 or better season since 2016. The Vikings progressed throughout the 2023 campaign, culminating with a 2-1 record in their final three games. Head coach Marcus Hilliard is one of a few coaches who are in the first few years with their respective programs, as he is entering his third season at the helm. He is also an alumnus of ECSU as well and will look to bring a title back to his alma mater. The Vikings will compete against Shaw in week zero of the 2024 season.
Fayetteville State will look to continue their run of dominance in the CIAA during the 2024 season. The Broncos have won eight or more games every season since 2019 including a championship victory in 2022. After an 8-2 regular season finish in 2023, FSU made it all the way to the championship game against Virginia Union but were unable to come out on top, falling 21-10. Head coach Richard Hayes Jr., is one of the longest-tenured football coaches in the CIAA, beginning his 8th season leading the program. The Broncos take on UNC Pembroke to start the season.
Johnson C. Smith had one of the best season-to-season turnarounds in 2023. After a rough 2022 that saw them go 2-7, the Golden Bulls boasted an impressive 7-3 regular season and earned a bowl appearance. They faced off with Fort Valley State in the Florida Beach Bowl and fell 23-10. Head coach Maurice Flowers saw much success in just his second season in his role and looks to continue that in year three. JCSU will head south to Montgomery, Alabama for a week one matchup with Tuskegee University.
Lincoln (PA) had a roller-coaster of a season in 2023 including a three-game winning streak which was proceeded by a three-game losing streak to close out the year. The Lions look to get back atop the league and take home their first title since 1924, the longest active streak for teams who have previously won a championship. Head coach Frank Turner has been part of the Lions’ coaching staff since 2018 and earned the head coaching nod just before the 2023 season. The Lions will commence the season with a non-conference battle with Clarion, who they lost to, 30-20, last season.
Livingstone finished one game below .500 last season and are looking for a more consistent start to 2024. The Blue Bears began the season poorly, dropping each of their first four games. They did not let the slow start derail them, as they’d go on to win four of the next six competitions. Head coach and former NFL pro bowler Sean Gilbert is entering his fourth season at the helm of the program. His squad hosts a whopping seven home games this season, including a season-opener against the University of Charleston, who were ranked in Division II last season.
Shaw looks to improve on a 2023 that showed promise for the proceeding season. While the Bears only went 3-7, they were in most games and lost by two scores or less four times. Head coach Adrian Jones is heading into year eight at Shaw and has found relative success in CIAA competition, boasting an 18-10 conference record from 2018-2022. The Bears will also compete during week zero, welcoming Elizabeth City State to Durham, N.C.
Virginia State turned the corner in 2022 after naming Dr. Henry Frazier III as their head coach, and they haven’t looked back since. He led the team to a 6-4 record in his first season and improved to 8-2 in 2023. They faced off with Virginia Union for a chance to play in the 2023 conference championship, but fell short, 30-20. They’ve been given the prestigious honor of competing in the Black College Hall of Fame Game against Benedict College to kick off the 2024 season. The game will take place at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and can be viewed on the NFL Network.
Virginia Union took home the 2023 CIAA football championship title last season, their first in 22 years. Head coach and alumnus Alvin Parker is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the team. He’s set a high bar in his time back at his alma mater, as he’s accomplished winning seasons every year since he joined the staff back in 2017. The Panthers will begin the season with three consecutive road games, including a road season-opener at Kentucky State University.
Winston-Salem State will enter 2024 in hopes of a more consistent season than that of 2023. Last season, the Rams lost their first two and last two games of the season, with an impressive 4-2 record sandwiched between. Head coach Robert Massey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having played in the NFL and being named to a pro bowl as well. He served as the team’s head coach in an interim role for two seasons before fully taking over in 2021. The Rams head to Bluefield, West Virginia, for a week zero showdown against Bluefield State.