HAMPTON, Va.  — Director of Athletics Anthony D. Henderson Sr. announced Tuesday that Robert Prunty is no longer with Hampton University and the Pirate Football program.
 
Running backs and special teams coach Trent Boykin, a veteran of 28 years of collegiate coaching experience including 10 years on the FBS level at Akron, Boston College, and Ball State, will serve as interim head coach for the 2024 season.

According to HBCU Gameday, Robert Prunty came to Hampton University in 2018, replacing Connell Maynor, who went 20-25 record in his four seasons at Hampton.

Prunty’s best season as head coach of the Pirates was his first, posting a 7-3 record in his first year as Hampton transitioned from the MEAC to the Big South Conference.

After going 5-7 in 2019 and missing the 2020 season due to Covid. The Pirates bounced back in 2021 by going 5-6 in their final season in the Big South, then put up a 4-7 record in their first season in the CAA, going 1-7 in conference play. In what turned out to be the final season for Robert Prunty, the Pirates improved to 5-6 overall with a 3-5 record in conference play in 2023.

Hampton’s selection for interim head coach is Trent Boykin, who joined the Pirate staff in 2020 after serving as running game coordinator at Akron from 2012-18.

Since coming to Hampton University the Pirates running game has developed into the top unit in the CAA. In 2023, the Pirate ground game averaged a league-best 216.4 yards per contest. Elijah Burris rushed for 803 yards (14.7 yards per game) with eight touchdowns. Darran Burris rambled for 670 yards (74.4 ypg) with four scores giving Hampton one of the the top one-two punchs in the league.

There has been no word yet on whether Hampton will fill the position before the start of the 2024 season or if Boykin will coach for the upcoming season while the school forms a search committee to determine a permanent replacement.