Southern Fires Eric Dooley

Southern University terminated the contract of head football coach Eric Dooley.

Southern University (5-5, 4-3 SWAC) terminated the contract of head football coach Eric Dooley in his second season with the Jaguars, according to The Advocate's reporter Jim Kleinpeter. Athletic director Roman Banks released an announcement saying, "a change in the leadership of the program was necessary."

Southern will have a press conference at 10:30 AM CT on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Banks named assistant head coach Terrence Graves as interim coach to lead the football team against Grambling State in the 50th Bayou Classic game in New Orleans, Louisiana.

STATEMENT FROM SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Southern University Director of Athletics Roman Banks Announces change in Jaguar football leadership, effective immediately. After very thorough and continued evaluations of all components related to the Southern football program, I have recommended to President/Chancellor Shields, Board of Supervisors Chairman Myron Lawson and Athletic Chairman Atty. Domoine Rutledge that a change in the leadership of the program was necessary in order for Jaguar football to reach our full potential and expectations of our football program,” Banks said. 

We appreciate and thank Coach Dooley for his time here at Southern and wish him the best in his future endeavors.” Athletic Director Roman Banks will speak at a press conference on Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the A.W. Mumford Field House. 

Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Terrence Graves will serve as the Interim Head Coach and Safeties Coach Sean Wallace will serve as Acting Head Coach for the Bayou Classic. Coach Graves will have the distinction as the only coach in the 50 year history of the Bayou Classic to coach both Grambling State and Southern University as the Interim Head Coach.