Pickens named interim coach at Lincoln

LOWER OXFORD >> We are approaching the seventh anniversary of the return of Lincoln University football following a near half-century hiatus. And Herb Pickens has been carrying the torch every step of the way.

The West Chester resident was on the coaching staff under O.J. Abanishe when the Lions resumed play in 2008, resurrecting a program that was suspending in 1960. He is the only coach still on the staff, and was elevated to interim head coach not long after Ramon Flanigan’s contentious March exit following a two-year stint as head coach.

“The (players) are happy. It was just a nice transition,” said Pick-

ens, 35, who served as linebackers coach during the 2014 campaign and was previously the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.

“They understand the nature of the game and how things change. They have been able to move forward.”

Following an apparent rift with LU Athletic Director Darryl Pope, Flanigan accepted an assistant coaching position at FCS Lamar (Tex.) on Feb. 25th. His resignation letter, dated March 2, said: “… Due to the professional ineptitude, organizational negligence and insufficient support of the athletic director, Darryl Pope, I am resigning my position effective March 16, 2015.”

The first of Lincoln’s 14 spring practices began on March 16, and two days later, Pope announced that Pickens would be Flanigan’s replacement for the 2015 season.

“It made things a lot easier because the (players) knew they were not out there just going through the motions but it was for a purpose,” Pickens explained.

“They know me, what my expectations are, and they know the general plan of the program moving for- ward. Being the recruiting coordinator, I had a good rapport with them, bringing them here, so the trust is always there.”

When asked if he had any concerns about the support for the football program – which was elevated from Division III to II in 2010 -Pickens said: “There is no question in my mind about that. Everybody’s done pretty much everything they can here.

“It’s been a growing and learning process since football was reinstated. Then we were fast-tracked into Division II. Each year, it’s gotten better and better.”

The Lions went 2-18 overall and 0-14 against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foes under Flanigan. The lone victories came against nonconference rival Cheyney, which is currently riding a 32-game losing streak and is the least successful program in Division II history.

“The one thing we don’t want to do is make Cheyney our Super Bowl,” Pickens pointed out. “We want it to be a stepping stone into conference play.

“Our guys are ready to go – they are hungry. We’ve taken a lot of losses but we are at that point where we are ready to roll with success. We just have to be able to take one quarter at a time, one half at a time, one game at a time.”

Spring practice will conclude on Friday with the annual Lions Spring Game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Lincoln Stadium. According to Pickens, there will be slight changes to the offensive and defensive schemes, but “nothing major.”

“You are going to see a more competitive Lincoln,” he said. “We’ve always been competitive but there will be a different look with the fight level. You will see guys who are more athletic and a lot more energy.”

Identifying a replacement for quarterback Doug Cook, who was a four-year starter, is a pressing need. In addition, there is renewed emphasis on running the football. Last season, sophomore Stephen Scott gained nearly 1,000 yards on the ground.

“It’s a competition,” Pickens said of the quarterback battle. (Edward McKenzie) is a senior and the front runner, but we have some guys coming in that will push him.

“We had our first 1,000yard rusher (last season). That was major. (Scott) did a lot but the offensive line did a lot for him. That’s been the pride of our spring.

“Defensively, they were young last season so a lot of them are growing and getting into their positions.”

Pickens acknowledged that he talks regularly with Abanishe, who spent five seasons at LU, amassed an 8-42 record, and is now an offensive coordinator at a Dallas-Fort Worth area high school.

“O.J.’s helped me with getting used to being a head coach,” he said. “He always gives me great advice. He helped lay the foundation here and it was a good foundation.”

Pickens was previously an assistant coach at Division II Lane College (Tenn.) and at NAIA University of St. Mary (Kan.). He played collegiately at Grambling State and Lane.

When asked if he would like to have the interim tag removed following the 2015 campaign, Pickens said: “That’s the plan.”

COURTESY OF LINCOLN ATHLETICS Herb Pickens was named the interim head coach at Lincoln Tuesday. Pickens has been with the program since its ressurrection in 2008.