Two New Coaches Enter the Fray as the 2026 CIAA Football Media Day Kicks Off on July 15
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) will unveil two new head football coaches and a group of top players when the league holds the 2026 preseason CIAA Football Media Day next week on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (9:00 a.m.) at the Hilton Durham on Hillsboro Road in Durham, North Carolina.
The new coaches are veteran head man Dawson Odums at Bowie State after previous head coaching stops at Norfolk State and Southern and former quarterback Tory Woodbury who returns to his alma mater, Winston-Salem State, in his first head coaching assignment. Both BSU and WSSU were 2-5 in league play in 2025 along with Shaw and Bluefield State. Lincoln (Pa.) was 0-7 in the CIAA.
The new coaches are coming into a hotly contested league.
Johnson C. Smith (10-1, 6-1 CIAA), with then fourth-year head coach Maurice Flowers, won its first CIAA title since 1969 last year, halting a three-peat championship attempt by Virginia Union (9-1, 7-0) and head coach Dr. Alvin Parker. The Golden Bulls lost to VUU 28-10 in the regular season but got revenge with a dominating 45-21 win in the CIAA title game.
Richard Hayes’s Broncos of Fayetteville State (6-1), Dr. Henry Frazer’s Trojans of Virginia State (4-3) and first-year head man Adrian Jones at Elizabeth City State (4-3), all had winning records in conference play. Sean Gilbert’s Blue Bears of Livingstone were 3-4.
All 11 coaches will be on hand with two players each from their team.
Representatives scheduled to attend include:
| School | Head Coach | Student Athletes |
|---|---|---|
| Bluefield State | Davon Morgan | WR Brandon Wiley and DB Kamaree Wells |
| Bowie State | Dawson Odums | DL Deontae Roscoe and RB Maximus Jones |
| Elizabeth City State | Adrian Jones | OL Toriono Combs and DB Jaevon Branch |
| Fayetteville State | Richard Hayes | DE Joseph Woodard and OL Malachi Jones |
| Johnson C. Smith | Maurice Flowers | OL Jamari Mason and LB Vince Hill |
| Lincoln University (Pa.) | Frank Turner | OL Seth Ulett and LB Charles Thompson |
| Livingstone | Sean Gilbert | S Brandon “Manny” Moss and WR Davyn Reid |
| Shaw | Lamar Manigo | QB Alexander Marsh and TE Keyshaun Powell |
| Virginia State | Dr. Henry Frazier, III | OL Tyleek McCoy and LB KJ McNeil |
| Virginia Union | Alvin Parker | Christian Myles Solomon and LB Ahmad Ross |
| Winston Salem State | Tory Woodbury | Chancellor Smith and Jayden Grimes |
All-CIAA first teamer, wide receiver Brandon Wiley of Bluefield State (41 receptions, 710 yards, 10 TDs, 75.0 ypg.), is one of four 2025 all-CIAA players that will be in attendance.
Notably absent this year will be the two 2025 CIAA players of the year that set the league and all of NCAA Div. II football on fire last year. Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen was the offensive player of the year after leading all of black college Div. II football with over 2,300 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns. He became the first CIAA player or black college player to win the Harlan Hill Trophy as the best player in all of Div. II football.
Garner was the league’s defensive player of the year after leading all of D2 football in sacks and tackles for loss. Garner has transferred to Florida Atlantic.
In addition to Football Media Day, the CIAA will host several events throughout the week designed to engage the Durham community and celebrate the conference’s rich tradition of excellence.
On Tuesday, July 14, the CIAA will host a free Youth Football Clinic at Hillside High School from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The clinic is open to students entering grades 3 through 8 and will be led by CIAA football student athletes and head coaches. Designed to promote skill development, sportsmanship and community engagement, the clinic provides young athletes with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the conference’s top players and coaches.
The week’s activities will also include the CIAA® “Live the Legacy” Golf Tournament, taking place Monday, July 13, 2026, at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham. Held in conjunction with Football Media Day, the event will bring together conference leadership, coaches, student athletes, alumni and supporters for a day centered on fellowship and networking and celebration of the CIAA’s rich history and tradition.
Teams and individuals are invited to participate in the tournament, which supports initiatives designed to enhance the student athlete experience throughout the conference. Registration is available for $600 per four-person team or $150 per individual participant. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
