Football

FSU's PHILLIPS PICKED AS PIGSKIN CLUB'S CIAA COACH OF THE YEAR

December 15, 2009


WASHINGTON - The number three has been kind to the Fayetteville State football team this year.

A 21-10 win over Bowie State in the CIAA Championship game on Nov. 7 gave the Broncos their third conference title. The next day, FSU was selected to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the third time in school history.

On Monday, FSU head coach Kenny Phillips was named the Pigskin Club's CIAA Pigskin Coach of the Year for the third time.

"It's always great to receive Coach of the Year awards," said Phillips who was also selected as CIAA Coach of the Year by the league's coaches.

"It kind of rewards you and your staff for the things you've accomplished as a football team and program."
Phillips, FSU's leader in career wins, has led the Broncos to a 16-6 record and a .727 winning percentage since 2007. The only two-year winning percentage better is a .785 percentage (11-3-1) from 1975-76.

The Broncos' 16 wins since 2007 are the second most in two seasons in school history. FSU has won seven or more games five times since 2002.

The Pigskin Club, located in heart of the nation's capital, will present Phillips with the W. Henry "Stud" Greene award on Jan. 15 at Washington's Capital Hilton Hotel.

"These awards are not just for the head football coach," Phillips said.

"They are also for all of your assistant coaches that work with you and help you be successful on Saturday's."
The 2010 FSU squad will have to replace 17 seniors, the biggest senior class since Phillips arrived. Phillips said his award can help FSU on the recruiting trail.

"It could help with recruiting in that your name and your University are out there," said Phillips. "We're out beating the bushes right now on the recruiting front. We're hitting these high schools and trying to find some talent to replace a lot of talent that we lost this year."