Blount Era to end with finale at Norfolk State

Rams will need to limit turnovers against Spartans

Credit: Journal Photo by Lauren Carroll

Kermit Blount will finish his WSSU coaching tenure against Norfolk State.

By: By John Dell | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: November 21, 2009

Kermit Blount of Winston-Salem State was alone in the parking lot at Bowman Gray Stadium's field house Thursday night, about an hour after telling his players the he would no longer be their coach. It was one of the most emotional days of his 17-year career with the Rams.

Today's 1 p.m. game at Norfolk State figures to be just as emotional as WSSU closes its season and the Blount Era.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of emotion," said Blount, standing in the dark and trying to come up with the right words about today's game.

Chancellor Donald Reaves and incoming Athletics Director Bill Hayes decided Wednesday night to make a coaching change.

Blount was reassigned for the rest of his contract, which will end on Dec. 31, 2010.

Blount said that there were a lot of tears and hugs at his meeting with players, reactions that surprised him.

"There were guys letting out their emotions at that meeting, and some of those players you wouldn't expect to see that," Blount said.

Blount says he hopes that the Rams (1-9) can play with emotion but under control today. They have had nine turnovers in the last two games, and they'll have to limit them to have a chance against the Spartans (6-4).

"We want to go out with a win, and that's the way we'll approach this one," said Blount, admitting that leaving with a victory would be a nice way to go. "I think the players will probably want it more than I do."

Blount first came to WSSU in 1975 as a hot-shot quarterback from Richmond, Va. He recalls starting his freshman season about ninth on the depth chart, but he clawed his way to the top -- starting for four years, leading two teams to CIAA titles, having his No. 1 jersey retired and being selected for the school's hall of fame.

Now nearly 35 years later, he'll be coaching his final game.

"I don't know," Blount said when asked how he would feel about coaching his final game. "I'm still pretty mellow right now, but I'm hoping I will be able to step up there and coach like I always have. I don't think I'll have a problem, but it will be emotional because it will be my last one here."

Blount said that this season has been the most trying of his long coaching career.

"It's been a tough year for the players and a tough year for the coaches," he said.

Asked about his future after today, Blount said he wasn't sure. He could work in another capacity at the university, but he also will look for other coaching jobs.

"It's going to be all right, it's another step in life you have deal with," he said.

Blount, 51, said he didn't want to comment any further about being reassigned.

"That's the name of the game, it's about adjusting on the fly," he said. "My parents taught me one thing -- especially my dad -- you never look back and always keep looking ahead and keep moving, and that's what I have to do in this situation."

Note: There will be no local radio coverage of the game, but fans who want to watch on the Internet can use the All-Access link at www.nsuspartans.com. There is a charge of $19.95 that includes the audio feed from Norfolk State's radio broadcast.

jdell@wsjournal.com.

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