KIENUS BOULWARE NAMED 9TH HEAD FOOTBALL COACH IN WSSU HISTORY
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
- A new era for Winston-Salem State University football
will begin as Kienus P. Boulware has been named the new head coach
of the Winston-Salem State University Rams after serving as the
Rams' defensive coordinator for the past four years. The ninth head
coach in Winston-Salem State University history, he will look to
carry on the proud tradition that is Rams football.
"This is a dream job, and I'm at a dream school," Boulware said.
"I'm extremely happy that this day has come."
"Though this is Boulware's first head coaching position, he brings
a wealth of experience to the position and has been well-prepared
to carry on the strong legacy of the WSSU football program," said
Bill Hayes, athletic director. "A man with more than 17 years of
collegiate coaching experience under his belt, Boulware is regarded
by his peers as one of the top defensive coaches in NCAA Division
II football. He has certainly spent his coaching career as
talent developer, motivator and a professional with an unbridled
passion for the game of football."
Boulware arrived at Winston-Salem State University after spending
four years as an assistant coach at Shaw University in Raleigh.
where his defensive teams ranked tops in the nation in 2007 and
2008, and brings with him a wealth of collegiate coaching
experience and championship pedigree.
Over the past four seasons, Boulware has transformed the WSSU
defensive unit into the best in the Central Intercollegiate
Athletic Association and the nation each year. His 2013 defensive
unit was not only tops in the CIAA, but finished the season ranked
as the top Division II defense in the nation. During the Rams
run to national title game in 2012, his defense led the CIAA once
again and finished 12th nationally. In 2011, his defense led the
CIAA and finished ninth in Division II and his defensive unit
finished ranked as the number one unit in the CIAA and fifth
nationally in 2010.
Not only have his teams been ranked at the top during his tenure,
but Boulware has also produced the last three Defensive Players of
the Year in the CIAA. Carlos Fields, Jr. was named the Co-Defensive
Player of the Year in 2013, as well as being named the 2012 CIAA
Defensive Player of the Year. In 2011, Alton Keaton took home the
award from the CIAA as the league's top defensive player.
A native of Thomasville, N.C., Boulware starred in football
and also was a two-time state champion wrestler at Thomasville High
School. He would go on to play two seasons (1993-94) as an inside
linebacker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
before his football career was shortened by the discovery of a
spinal cord abnormality. He remained on the sideline as a student
coach for two seasons under former coach Mack Brown, working with
linebackers and defensive linemen.
Upon graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in May of 1997 with a degree
in organizational communication, Boulware coached linebackers at
Livingstone College for two years (1997-98) and helped to lead the
Blue Bears to a pair of CIAA Championships.
Following his tenure at Livingstone he moved to North Carolina
Central University in Durham, where he served in various capacities
including assistant football coach (linebackers and defensive
line), assistant track coach and assistant athletic director.
While at NCCU, he worked primarily with the Eagles linebackers
after spending one season (2003) as the defensive line coach. In
2004, two linebackers topped the team in tackles, including CIAA
All-Rookie Team pick Marcus Short, who led the way with 64 total
tackles. From 1999-2002, he coached linebackers under head coach
Rudy Abrams. During those four seasons, a linebacker led the team
in tackles three times.