Stallworth leaves SCSU for Grambling State
By BRIAN LINDER, T&D Sports EditorFriday, June 13, 2008The first day heralded quarterback Malcolm Long stepped on South Carolina State’s campus wasn’t pretty.
The South Carolina Mr. Football recipient came to school after his senior year at Gaffney High School out of shape and, at around 270 pounds, way over weight. One of the men that Long repeatedly credited with helping him get back in shape -- SCSU strength and conditioning coach Thomas Stallworth -- is now gone.
Stallworth confirmed that he left his post at SCSU Wednesday to take the same position with Grambling State University.
“I wanted to further my career,” Stallworth said. “I had been at S.C. State for four years, and I just wanted to go to another good program.”
Stallworth, who played college football at Tennessee, said leaving was tough because he didn’t get to tell all of the players he had been working with in the weight room goodbye.
“Really, unfortunately, it is a double-edged sword,” he said. “By me leaving first session...there weren’t that many guys there for me to see face-to-face. I told all my guys there before I left them, to a man, I wanted to shake their hands and give them a big hug.
“They have grown in me, and I have grown in them,” he continued. “In some ways, it was a lot easier because there weren’t that many guys, but at the same time I hate that I wasn’t able to see all of them.”
Stallworth said that he would always have Orangeburg in his heart.
“My time in Orangeburg has been a wonderful experience,” he said. “I joke with some of the coaches that I’m moving on, but I can never forget it. This is where my family started. I got that because of Orangeburg so it’s not like the school or city will ever be far from my heart at this point.”
South Carolina State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said that a replacement for Stallworth could come in the very near future.
“(Stallworth) did a nice job,” he said. “We will replace him. We will be okay. We might be better.”
T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached by phone at 803-533-5553 or via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com. Check out his blog, Welcome to Linderland, at www.thetandd.com.
got2know wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:01 AM:
fhsmct wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:22 PM:
SCSU trustees spent thousands on travel to games, conferences
http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/06/22/news/doc485c68115aa18423732276.txt
It starts off stating that: "
During a 10-month period from July 2007 to April 2008, South Carolina State University trustees spent $24,669.61 on travel and accommodations to attend national board conferences, board meetings and football games, according to university documents." . . . "
fhsmct wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:19 PM:
That really doesn't say much when any informed individual realizes and recognizes the sad fiscal state of affairs in most HBCU athletic departments!
Just about every coach who has left us has left for either a Div 1 job or a better paying Div 1A job (I use the old designations).
I would love to see us in the playoffs but I'm not exactly upset with our average season win - loss record. I'm also not upset with the personal off field deportment and the academic performance of our student-athletes.
RE Coach Pough's " "WE'RE BETTER OFF WITHOUT HIM." ", I viewed and still view that as a comment made out of frustration at losing a staff member this late in the year.
Got2Know: instead of busting Coach Pough's chops, you need to be busting the chops of the average "loyal son and daughter" for their demonstrated lukewarm support and enthusiasm!
Like his college mentor (Coach Jeff), Coach Pough actively works the state trying to drum up support for the school but he can't do it alone nor without a firm foundation of support for the Bulldog community. . . "
reddawg wrote on Jun 20, 2008 6:13 PM:
head and the other bloggers smell the stinken
RAT. Now! that everybody knows, what is Charlene going to do about this serious matter.
This is serious bussiness. The Football Program
is a huge part of our University bussiness. "
Chris' Cloths wrote on Jun 20, 2008 1:21 PM:
http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2007/12/06/opinion/doc47574bec160fd168933768.txt
Click on it or copy and paste it. "
Reasonable wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:50 PM:
got2know wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:36 PM:
fhsmct wrote on Jun 19, 2008 6:16 AM:
fhsmct wrote on Jun 19, 2008 6:09 AM:
Coaches are leaving us for the same reason we were unable to fully implement the stadium upgrades: fiscal reality!
And, coaches that stay at other schools for a long time do so for one and only one reason: they receive top notch compensation packages.
That being said: when season tix sales significantly increase and when far more "loyal sons and daughters" donations (athletic and academic) significantly increase, we'll be able to retain staff!
And that's the unadulterated, bare bones truth! . . . "
reddawg wrote on Jun 17, 2008 7:33 PM:
team. Seems like, if they are part of the program, they will stick it out to see it through. Buddy is trying to get a championship
for the school and team. Their hearts are'nt
there. They seems to be a little more about
themselves. Many choaches stick with a good program and help take them to a higher level.
Then, this would be the time for the school to
show appreciation with a pay increase or risk
the guys moving on. I wish Stallworth the best
but he should have stuck it out for the love of the school and team or was it only a fake. "
hoyabull wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:37 PM:
bmore#1 wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:28 PM:
Pitbull wrote on Jun 13, 2008 7:12 AM: