Johnson C. Smith University today named Steven Aycock its head football coach, replacing Daryl McNeill, who was fired Nov. 5.
Aycock spent the four previous seasons supervising the school’s football operations, recruiting and coaching the offensive line. He was named interim coach after McNeill’s termination. This will be his first head coaching job.
“I am confident that Coach Aycock will deliver a winning program that captures the best of our athletic tradition, forms strategic alliances in Charlotte’s diverse communities and meets the university’s standards for a highly motivated, highly talented student-athlete,” JCSU President Ronald Carter said in a press statement.
Aycock was an All-SIAC offensive lineman at Savannah State University in 1991 and ‘92 under the late Bill Davis. He worked as a student assistant for Davis at Tennessee State University from 1993-95, then joined McNeill’s JCSU staff in ‘95. When McNeill returned to Savannah State in 1997, he took Aycock with him.
McNeill came back to JCSU in 2005 and hired Aycock as line coach. The team went to the Pioneer Bowl the next season with a 7-4 overall record.
The team has not had a winning season since, “prompting the university to seek new leadership for the football program,” the school said in a statement.
Aycock said his goal is to make JCSU’s football program a CIAA and Division II powerhouse.
“This is my chance to showcase my knowledge of the game and what I’ve learned through my coaching experiences,” he said.
Athletics director Steve Joyner Sr. said Aycock has earned the chance to be head coach.
“He has held our football student-athletes together and served as an excellent leader during some tumultuous times,” Joyner said.
Aycock holds a bachelor’s degree in sports production from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in communications from Barrington University. He and his wife Donyell live in Huntersville.
