INTERVIEW ?
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A Tale
Of Two C<
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Cooley
Flamboyant, Fran
By LONZA HARDY JR.
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When Mississippi Valley State hired
a new football coach in 1980, the tiny
school off Highway 52 in Itta Bena got
all it was askina for ? and more.
Selected to head the floundering
Delta Devil program was a man with a
personality you don't forget. He spoke
his mind and made big promises. And
he delivered.
His name was Archie Cooley.
A 45-year-old native of Laurel,
Miss., Cooley today has earned respect
which neither he, nor most of his
=1EI
e e
caches
B- 'M* *
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Photo by Jam*
k And Successful
predecessors, could earn before, ft
criticism
pressures to join the ranks of tf
Southwestern Athletic Conference
coaching elite, though not at all quie
ly.
4'When I came to Mississippi Vall<
in 1980, I warned everyone that they
have to make room at the top f<
Valley, " recalled Cooley, "bi
everyone laughed and said, 'What c
you think you are - a miracle mar
Bear Bryant couldn't win at Valley.'
"I told them I wasn't Bear Bryant,
Please See Page 21
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BE While the MEAC's Jo<
H builds a power at Delawj
solid running game, the
"v. inger" Cooley, left, tl
frighteningly potent pass
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3S Terry
Purzycki
Patiently Building
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's My, how the times have changed.
After years of fielding mediocre and
downright awful teams ? including one
5y that dropped a game by the unlikely
>(j score of 105-0 ? Delaware State's
0T Hornets have finally added some sting
llt to their arsenal, much to South
lQ Carolina State's dismay.
The Hornets are off to their best
start ever and, strange as it may seem
to those used to watching S.C. State
waltz to MEAC titles year in and year
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^CPT/ REVIEW
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Photo by Joe Daniels
; Purzycki, above, quietly
ire State with defense and a
; SWAC's Archie "Gunsllrottles
opponents with a
ing attack ? and his mouth.
A Power
out, are the favorites to win the league
championship in '84.
Last season, the Hornets served
V% rx # iL A?r ?*i a??a /x ^1 * rv * h a #> a
noiivt uiai nicy wcic guuu, lauding second
in the nation in Division I-AA in
rushing offense. Can greatness be far
behind0
That remains to be seen. But one
thing is certain: DelState has come a
long, long way.
The Hornets failed to win a league
game in 1980 (the year before Purzycki
arrived) and suffered a humiliating
105-0 loss to Portland State. Tired of
the losing ways of the former coaching
Please See Page 23
SBBBSB5BB8SSSS October, 1964-Page 9