Ben Blacknall

Ben Blacknall
Biographical details
Born(1946-09-26)September 26, 1946
DiedApril 25, 2012(2012-04-25) (aged 65)
Playing career
1968–1971North Carolina A&T
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1972–1976North Carolina A&T (assistant)
1977–1978South Carolina State (assistant)
1979–1983Wichita State (assistant)
1984–1988Howard (assistant)
1989–1998South Carolina State (assistant)
1999Morehouse (assistant)
2000–2003Delaware State
2007–2011Alabama A&M (assistant)
Head coaching record
Overall16–24
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
  • MEAC Coach of the Year (2000)

Benjamin Sylvester Blacknall (September 26, 1946 – April 25, 2012) was an American football player and coach also former sergeant (Sgt.) in the Air Force.[1][2] He served as the head football coach for Delaware Hornets at Delaware State University from 2000 to 2003, compiling a record of 16–24.[3] He was fired midway through the 2003 season after Delaware State lost their first six games.[4] Blacknall played college football for North Carolina A&T Aggies at North Carolina A&T University under the guidance of Willie Jeffries.[5] Blacknall lettered at A&T from 1968 to 1971, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1975. Blacknall was mentor to Anthony Jones, who had played for Wichita State under his guidance and recruited Blacknall to Morehouse in 1999.[6]

Awards and honors[edit]

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference[edit]

North Carolina A&T Sports Hall of Fame[edit]

100 percent Wrong Club of Atlanta[edit]

  • Coach of the Year (2000)

Head coaching record[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Delaware State Hornets (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (2000–2003)
2000 Delaware State 7–4 5–3 T–4th
2001 Delaware State 5–6 3–5 T–6th
2002 Delaware State 4–8 2–6 T–7th
2003 Delaware State 0–6[n 1] 0–2[n 1] [n 1]
Delaware State: 16–24 10–16
Total: 16–24

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Blacknall was fired on October 13, 2003, after the first six games of the 2003 season. Butch Posey replaced Blacknall as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Delaware State finished the year 1–10 overall and 1–6 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, placing eighth.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Grant Jr., Thomas (April 26, 2012). "Former S.C. State defensive coordinator Blacknall found dead". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  2. ^ "Blacknall's death leaves a huge hole". thetandd.com. April 30, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Egros, Edward (April 25, 2012). "Alabama A&M Assistant Ben Blacknall Has Died". WHNT. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Pope, Kristian (October 16, 2003). "Winless Hornets fire football coach". The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. p. C1. Retrieved October 27, 2019 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ "A&T Mourns The Loss Of Blacknall". North Carolina A&T Aggies. April 30, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  6. ^ "Alabama A&M loses loyal coach and Jones loses loyal friend in the passing of Ben Blacknall". al.com. April 27, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame". ncataggies. Retrieved November 3, 2023.