The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers are now affiliated with NFL greatness. The college has named former Atlanta Falcons Veteran, Terance Mathis as the new head football coach.
“It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to our new head football coach, former NFL pro and college football Hall of Famer, Terance Mathis, a leader who embodies the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and excellence,” Morehouse College president, Dr. David A. Thomas said in a statement on Friday.
“I look forward to watching Coach Mathis take our program to new heights and establishing a winning football culture within Morehouse College athletics.”
Morehouse Athletics Director, Harold Ellis, who joined his alma mater last August, also shared his excitement as he welcomed Mathis to the Maroon Tigers.
“We are in a season of change and enhancement within Morehouse Athletics. The College is known for producing some of the most skilled and gifted professionals across all industries, and that same spirit of excellence must be established within our athletic programs,” Ellis stated.
“I’m excited to welcome Coach Mathis to The House and look forward to partnering with him in taking the football program to the next level.”
The hire comes after sources reported that former Grambling State head football coach, Hue Jackson was being considered for the position. Shortly after, critics expressed concern over Jackson leading an HBCU that has struggled in football over the past three decades.
Coach Mathis was an All-American with wide receiver at the out of the University of New Mexico. He was later taken in the sixth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Mathis played four seasons with the Jets before transitioning to the Atlanta Falcons and became a breakout star. He finished with 111 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Off the field, Mathis’s contributions extend beyond the gridiron. In 1996, he founded the Terance Mathis Foundation, displaying his commitment to education and community service. Mathis’s outstanding achievements were recognized when he was selected as the Atlanta Falcons’ “Man of the Year” in 1998
Morehouse has been in search for a head football coach for the second time in less than a year, since parting ways with Gerard Wilcher. The former coach went 1-9 in his lone season at his alma mater before being fired after his only win of the season against Clark Atlanta.
Morehouse is Mathis’ first head coaching job at the collegiate level.
