In spite of loss to Alabama State Larry Scott is just getting started

During Howard Football’s 23 -13 defeat to Alabama State in the 2022 SWAC/MEAC challenge, it is by now well documented that there were three separate game delays due to weather. The delays not only impacted the players and coaches, but the fans in attendance as well as the viewers from home.

Weathering Storms 

If there is anyone whom I’d select to weather the storm literally and figuratively, it’s Howard University Head Football Coach Larry Scott. It’s difficult to decipher which delay was most stirring, but as I viewed from home eagerly anticipating kickoff to get a glimpse of Howard’s top recruiting class in program history there was waiting, waiting, and more waiting. The lengthy delay to start the game felt agonizing as my heart went out to both universities following months of preparation to play on the national stage. The opportunity to showcase HBCU football on ESPN was now being placed on what felt like an indefinite hold.

At the same time, the thought process shifted to how coach Scott’s tenure with Howard began. Howard named Scott head coach in February of 2020 just prior to the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. During my recent interview with coach Scott, he went in-depth in reference to taking over as Head Coach at the onset of COVID and reasons he was eager to start this season. 

“I’m excited really just to see how this young team starts to respond to actually having our first full cycle of a program. You know it was all chopped up with COVID when I first took the job. I got it in February and in March the world imploded. We did everything virtually, had all types of COVID breaks and stops due to COVID testing protocols. It was choppy to say the least, then we had to send them [the student athletes] home again for summer break.” - Larry Scott

In spite of the myriad of challenges that were key contributors to a 2-8 record in the 2021 season, coach Scott remained outwardly positive while highlighting “small dubs” or small victories as he watched his young inexperienced group of players begin to develop.

*check out the full interview above 

Not to mention, during this time period, it was reported that University of Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban expressed interest in Scott joining his staff. Being faced with the choice of building a struggling HBCU football program during unprecedented times or joining the top college football program in the country to coach alongside arguably the greatest coach of all time in Saban was equivalent to a final exam during orientation. However, Coach Scott chose to remain at Howard and begin a legacy at one of the most prestigious universities in the world that just happens to be an historically black institution. Yes, Coach Scott weathered the storm long before the delayed kickoff this past Saturday.

Commitment equals Confidence

By simply making the choice to remain Head Football Coach of the Howard Bison, the impact was felt by current and former players, alumni, and the entire university. Former Bison football standout and current DC philanthropist Ransom Miller III had this to say in reference to Scott’s choice to remain at Howard “when I found out that he turned down Nick Saban to be his tight ends coach to stay at Howard, I drove up to Howard University to shake his hand. Because that kind of commitment has not really been there.”.

Coach Scott is heralded as the right man to invoke change across the entire athletic department which has also been emphasized by Howard Men’s Basketball Coach Kenny Blakeney. This entire university has confidence that the right man will lead this resurgence which will only add to the allure and mystique of the great HU. Now off to a 0 - 1 start, the 2022 Howard Bison will be tested early while led by a coach who is already modeling such a great example of how to weather the storm.

Ray Rogers