Southern's Graves Emerges As COY Candidate While Jaguars Hunt For SWAC West Title

The scenarios favor the rookie head coach of claiming the conference's most unpredictable division.

Kyle T. Mosley | Nov 8, 2024

Coach Terrence Graves / Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends; Oct. 12, 2024, Southern vs. Texas Southern at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston, TX.

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Southern University Jaguars

Just as the big cat prowls and pounces on its prey in the jungles of South and Central America, the stealthy Jaguars are quietly on the verge of claiming the SWAC West.

In his first season, Southern's head coach, Terrence Graves, has done an outstanding job surpassing the predicted 4th-place finish for 2024 in the division.

Suppose the Jaguars win Saturday's game against Bethune-Cookman. In that case, they must have Texas Southern defeat Alcorn State and Alabama A&M beat UAPB for the rookie head coach's team to reach the conference championship.

Terence Graves / SWAC

Southern currently leads the SWAC West division with a record of 4-1, while Alcorn State is in second place at 3-2. Texas Southern is tied with Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Prairie View A&M, each having a record of 2-3. Grambling State is at the bottom of the division with a record of 1-4.

Graves and his staff have had an impressive coaching performance with changes at quarterback, injuries to key players, and rallying to win overtime games in Texas versus TSU and PV.

The stakes remain high as they host a dangerous Wildcats team eager to spoil the Jaguars' plans of claiming the division trophy.

Regardless of this weekend's outcome for Southern, Terrance Graves is definitively in the conversation for the 2024 SWAC Coach of the Year honor.

It is an excellent testimony for the former veteran assistant that athletic directors passed on extending the head coach title in previous years.

He's garnered the respect in year one, but the job is far from over. Can Graves and the Jags shock the world in 2024?

We shall see.

Published Nov 8, 2024|Modified Nov 8, 2024

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: