HBCU Legends

Deion Sanders, Trei Oliver Compete for 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award

HBCU head coaches are vying for the 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award.

Kyle T. Mosley

Deion Sanders, Trei Oliver Compete for 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award
Deion Sanders, Trei Oliver Compete for 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award /

HOUSTON, TX – HBCU head coaches Deion Sanders (Jackson State) and Trei Oliver (North Carolina Central) will compete for the 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award. The two have guided their football teams to a potential clash in the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17. 

The Tigers have a penultimate match before making plans for Atlanta and must first defeat either Southern or Prairie View in the 2022 SWAC Championship title game. However, we may see if Sanders or Oliver will notch the first significant honor of the FCS postseason.

SANDERS - OLIVER
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders and NCCU head coach Trei Oliver; Credit: USA Today Sports and NCCU Athletics

The FCS announce the field of 16 finalists, and the 2021 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year recipient Deion Sanders is a favorite to repeat after leading the No. 5 Jackson State Tigers (11-0, 8-0 SWAC) to its first undefeated regular-season record in the school's history. Sanders is 16-0 in the SWAC for two-consecutive seasons in his quest for dominance in the league and HBCU football.

Head coach Trei Oliver of the No. 21 North Carolina Central Eagles (9-2, 4-1 MEAC) is a first-time candidate for the honor. His leadership was responsible for the Eagles' surprising season and their return to the Celebration Bowl since 2016. Oliver is a humble yet sarcastically funny coach in his press conferences.

The FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year finalists include:

  1. Glenn Caruso – St. Thomas (Minn.)
  2. Bob Chesney – Holy Cross
  3. Chris Hatcher – Samford
  4. G.J. Kinne – Incarnate Word
  5. Tre Lamb – Gardner-Webb
  6. Mike London – William & Mary
  7. Tom Matukewicz – Southeast Missouri
  8. Trei Oliver – North Carolina Central
  9. Keith Patterson – Abilene Christian
  10. Ray Priore – Penn
  11. Rich Rodriguez – Jacksonville State
  12. Deion Sanders – Jackson State
  13. John Stiegelmeier – South Dakota State
  14. Troy Taylor – Sacramento State
  15. Brent Vigen – Montana State
  16. Chris Villarrial – Saint Francis (Pa.)

The recipient of the 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award will be announced on Dec. 8, and the FCS National Award ceremony banquet will be held in Frisco, TX, on Jan. 7. 

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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