THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411020584
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
He is interim no Moore.
Darnell Moore, who in less than six months has turned Norfolk State's football fortunes around both on and off the field, was rewarded Tuesday by having the ``interim'' tag erased from his title.
Moore, 46, officially was named Norfolk State's 13th head coach at an afternoon press conference.
``We liked what we saw in coach Moore,'' athletic director Dick Price said. ``He's done an outstanding job.''
Moore has guided the Spartans to a 5-3 record, their most victories since 1991. Norfolk State has two games remaining.
But President Harrison B. Wilson said that even if the Spartans weren't winning, Moore probably would have been given the permanent job.
``We've been impressed with the attitude of the ballplayers - the togetherness, the way the ballplayers have been able to come back under adversity, the spirit they've had,'' Wilson said.
Moore took over as interim coach on May 14, at a low point in the program's recent history. The Spartans were 3-7-1 last season under coach Archie Cooley, who resigned under pressure, and were beset by problems off the field.
``He took over a program that was in very difficult straits,'' Wilson said. ``To get his players together, to get attitudes changed, I think he did a tremendous job.''
When Moore was hired, school officials said they planned to conduct a national search for a coach after the season. Privately, though, some said Moore would be given the job.
Moore said he tried not to worry about his status.
``Usually, I thought about it when somebody asked me,'' he said. ``I felt what I was doing was going to speak volumes one way or the other.''
Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Wilson said Moore was given a one-year contract, standard for coaches at Norfolk State.
Moore, who was best known locally for guiding Wilson High to state titles in 1989 and 1991, said he was ``very pleased'' when offered the job.
``When I left his (Wilson's) office on the steps, I wanted to jump down from the top all the way to the bottom,'' he said. ``But I thought I might hurt myself and miss the game Saturday.''
Norfolk State hosts Lane in its homecoming game Saturday. Wilson said this is a good week to name Moore the coach, because many alumni will be in town.
Recruiting also was a factor in the timing of the decision. Wilson and Moore said they expect the announcement will help efforts to sign players for next year.
Players were told of Moore's hiring at their pre-practice meeting. Several upperclassmen, some of who have played under three coaches, said Moore's hiring should bring stability to the program.
``It's sort of like a little child,'' said lineman Kenneth McDaniel. ``They just want a home, a stable family.''
NORFOLK - He is interim no Moore.
Darnell Moore, who in less than six months has turned Norfolk State's football fortunes around both on and off the field, was rewarded Tuesday by having the ``interim'' tag erased from his title.
Moore, 46, officially was named Norfolk State's 13th head coach at an afternoon press conference.
``We liked what we saw in coach Moore,'' athletic director Dick Price said. ``He's done an outstanding job.''
Moore has guided the Spartans to a 5-3 record, their most victories since 1991. Norfolk State has two games remaining.
But President Harrison B. Wilson said that even if the Spartans weren't winning, Moore probably would have been given the permanent job.
``We've been impressed with the attitude of the ballplayers - the togetherness, the way the ballplayers have been able to come back under adversity, the spirit they've had,'' Wilson said.
Moore took over as interim coach on May 14, at a low point in the program's recent history. The Spartans were 3-7-1 last season under coach Archie Cooley, who resigned under pressure, and were beset by problems off the field.
``He took over a program that was in very difficult straits,'' Wilson said. ``To get his players together, to get attitudes changed, I think he did a tremendous job.''
When Moore was hired, school officials said they planned to conduct a national search for a coach after the season. Privately, though, some said Moore would be given the job.
Moore said he tried not to worry about his status.
``Usually, I thought about it when somebody asked me,'' he said. ``I felt what I was doing was going to speak volumes one way or the other.''
Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Wilson said Moore was given a one-year contract, standard for coaches at Norfolk State.
Moore, who was best known locally for guiding Wilson High to state titles in 1989 and 1991, said he was ``very pleased'' when offered the job.
``When I left his (Wilson's) office on the steps, I wanted to jump down from the top all the way to the bottom,'' he said. ``But I thought I might hurt myself and miss the game Saturday.''
Norfolk State hosts Lane in its homecoming game Saturday. Wilson said this is a good week to name Moore the coach, because many alumni will be in town.
Recruiting also was a factor in the timing of the decision. Wilson and Moore said they expect the announcement will help efforts to sign players for next year.
Players were told of Moore's hiring at their pre-practice meeting. Several upperclassmen, some of who have played under three coaches, said Moore's hiring should bring stability to the program.
``It's sort of like a little child,'' said lineman Kenneth McDaniel. ``They just want a home, a stable family.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Darnell Moore
by CNB