Black College football before Integration: A walk down Memory Lane

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

Black College Football Before Integration: A walked Down Memory Lane. At the behest of WG publisher Bobby R. Henry, Sr. , I contacted former Broward and Miami-Dade County educator and football coach Joe Redmond, who wanted to take a nostalgic glance at Black college football prior to integration, which initiated minority player recruitment by practically every major college in America if they wanted to remain relevant and competitive. Remember Southern Cal running back Sam “Bam” Cunningham’s epic demolition of Alabama before the Southeastern Conference would even consider the thought of Black and White athletes competing on the same field.

Because we had so much in common and with his vast experience on both the high school and collegiate level, Coach Redmond was the perfect colleague to collaborate with as we ventured down memory lane, revisiting the historic, glory days of Black college football lore. About Coach Redmond: He was a two-sport star at Cameron High School in Nashville, Tennessee, excelling in both football and baseball as a quarterback and pitcher. His size was the only thing that prevented him from attending his dream school,  Grambling.  Hall of Fame Coach Eddie Robinson explained to Joe in no uncertain terms that he had managers bigger than he was. Standing 5’8”, 145 pounds, he returned home and with his  mother’s blessing enrolled at academically challenging Fisk University where he started for four years in both football and baseball. After graduating, he became a teacher and assistant coach in two  Michigan high schools before landing a coaching position at Northern Illinois  University where he remained for 6 years. Subsequent assignments included head coaching stints at Maryland Eastern Shore, Central State in Ohio, and Texas Southern University in Houston, his dream job. He also coached and served as athletic director at at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois. In the latter stages of his career, he coached at Miami Jackson, Stranahan and Dillard. Along the way he’s rubbed shoulders with the likes of Lou Holtz, Bo Shembechler, Ken Riley, Billy Joe, Ken Bowman and Stan Parrish, all great football coaches and molders of young men.

WG: What about Coach Merritt did you find most admirable?

Coach Redmond: First and foremost, he was a great recruiter and teacher who advocated for young men. He actually cared about them as human beings, a great selling point to parents because if he promised a parent that he would take care of their son, they knew he meant it. He was authentic, the real deal.

WG: Facilities play a major role in recruiting in today’s era of sleek amenities and medical advancements. What was Coach Merritt’s selling point or pitch to players and parents.

Coach Redmond: You must first remember that choices were limited for HBCUS as were resources. So there was no competitive advantage among HBCUS from a facilities standpoint. It was his bigger than life personality, his sincerity and commitment to the young men he recruited: to give them the very best the school, coaches and community could offer from an academic and athletic posture.

WG: What’s your fondest memory of Coach Merritt?

Coach Redmond: He exuded class in every aspect of coaching career and was extremely charismatic, bigger than life. He also brought professionalism to the sideline, dressed in coat and tie  throughout his tenure.  And he was admired and respected by all of his players and a giant in the community of Nashville.

About Coach Merritt:

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994, Coach John “ Big John “ Merritt was born in Falmouth, West Virginia in 1926. He coached then Jackson State College from 1953 – 1962, compiling a record of 62-35-4. He built JSC methodically, and in his final two seasons led the Tigers to consecutive trips to the Orange Blossom Classic where they played the FAMU Rattlers, winning the ‘62 game 22-6 after losing the first encounter in ‘61, 14-8. Two of his great players on those teams were wide receiver Willie Richardson and quarterback Roy Curry. The success that he achieved at Jackson State compelled the administration at Tennessee State (A&I at the time) to offer him the head football coaching position which he accepted. It proved to be a prophetic  decision as he enjoyed great success there. Coach Merritt’s record at TSU was unprecedented, with a record of 172- 33-7. Five of those teams went undefeated and five lost only one game. The Pittsburgh Courier, the most prominent newspaper covering Black sports and HBCUS, named  TSU National Champions seven times. He sent approximately 144 players to the NFL including Mike Hegman, Claude Humphries, Eldridge Dickey, Joe Gilliam, Jr. Ed “Too Tall “ Jones and Richard Dent. His overall record at JSU and TSU was 232-65-11.

I need someone reading this who may have attended those OBC games to reach out to me. We must keep our history alive. I know for certain that Dr. Malcom Black attended JSU during that time frame. Just a personal note: My head coach and top assistant at Tuskegee, Leroy “Red Top” Smith and Ralph Bishop, played for Coach Merritt as JSU. Help keep our history and tradition alive.

Next week we feature the great Alonzo “Jake” Gaither.