THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190671
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Elizabeth City State University football coach George Moody has resigned and will take a job as an assistant at Norfolk State, sources said Thursday.
Moody's resignation took the ECSU community by surprise. Less than two weeks ago, Moody presided over Elizabeth City's spring football scrimmage, and talked about contending for a CIAA championship this fall.
He said Thursday that he wasn't unhappy at Elizabeth City, but is leaving for a better job.
``I've got a feeler for another coaching situation, but I can't really say anything right now,'' he said.
Sources at Norfolk State said Moody will join head coach Darnell Moore's staff. Moore could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Moody has worked at Norfolk State, where he developed a close relationship with Moore. He was an assistant there for three years before retiring in June 1993.
Moody's retirement didn't last long. Two months after he retired, Elizabeth City called, asking him to fill in as an emergency replacement for coach Alvin Kelley, who resigned under pressure less than a month before the 1993 season.
Moody took over just 2 1/2 weeks before the first game, and led the Vikings to a 2-8 record in 1993. The Vikings improved to 5-6 in 1994 and were 7-4 in 1995. They are expected to be have of the top teams in the CIAA next season.
``I'm real proud of what we did down there,'' he said. ``We left the program in better shape than we found it.
``I left a fine group of young men down there,'' he said. ``Telling them I am leaving was the hardest thing in the world to do.''
Moody, 58, wasn't looking for a job when Elizabeth City called, and didn't expect to stay three years. He commuted 50 minutes each way from his home in Portsmouth.
``I knew it had gotten real bad when I was coming home the other night and I passed myself going the other way,'' he said, laughing.
Moody brings 36 years of experience to NSU, which will move to Division I-AA in 1997. Elizabeth City competes in Division II.
Moody began his career at I.C. Norcom High and was head coach there from 1969-72. He was head coach at Virginia State University from 1981-1990, compiling a 51-49-3 record.
Moody's resignation is effective April 30. ECSU is expected to begin looking for his successor immediately.
``While Coach Moody's resignation was unexpected, we understand for personal reasons he has made his decision,'' ECSU athletic director Dr. Edward McLean said in a statement. ``We wish him the best in the future endeavors.'' ILLUSTRATION: 58-year-old George Moody's resigning was a surprise to the
Elizabeth City State community.
by CNB