Meet The Coaches Assistant Head Coach George Ragsdale MEDIA GUIDE www.ncataggies.com FOOTBALL 2009 NC A&T 73 Alonzo Lee, Head Coach On January 16, 2009, Alonzo Lee, Sr., became the 17th head coach in the history of North OCarolina A&T football. Lee brings with him a reputation for putting together the fiercest and stingiest defenses in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Over his career, Lee has proven that defense does indeed win championships. Lee has won seven MEAC Championships at four different schools over his 26-year coaching career. At two of those schools – North Carolina A&T and Hampton – Lee served as the defensive coordinator. In five out of the last 12 seasons, Lee’s defenses have led the MEAC in total defense. Lee is making his second stint with the Aggies. Before returning to N.C. A&T, Lee was the defensive coordinator at Morgan State University for three seasons. The Bears made significant strides as a defensive unit under his leadership. Over the last two MEDIA GUIDE www.ncataggies.com GUIDE MEDIA seasons, MSU not only finished No. 1 in the conference in total defense, but the Bears also showcased one of the best defenses in Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known FOOTBALL as Division I-AA). In 2008, the Bears led the nation in total defense a year after finishing No. 2 in the country in total defense. 2009 NC A&T NC 2009 74 In 2007, the Bears led the that performed for church nation in pass defense, and groups and other community followed that performance organizations in Greensboro. by finishing No.2 nationally A native of Washington, in pass defense in 2008. DC, Lee graduated from No team gained more than Dunbar Senior High School in 350 yards of offense against Washington, DC. the Bears in Lee’s final two seasons there. In 1977, Lee joined current Florida A&M head coach Lee’s first stint at North Joe Taylor at Eastern Carolina A&T occurred from Illinois University, where 2003-05 as the Aggies he participated in two defensive coordinator and NCAA Division II National linebackers coach. In 2003, Championship games, North Carolina A&T finished winning one in 1978. He was as the league’s No. 1 defense, total defense in 1997. A year later, a three-year captain and led and ranked in the top 15 nationally in the Pirates finished second in the the team in tackles his senior season four categories: total defense (3rd), conference in total defense, while and was selected as All-American in pass defense (3rd), turnovers gained finishing at the top of the conference the same season. (6th) and scoring defense (15th). in rushing defense. During his last season, the Aggies He graduated from Eastern Illinois ranked 3rd in pass defense, 4th in Lee maintains a reputation as an with a Bachelor’s of Science degree sacks and 4th in not allowing their outstanding coach and as a man of in Therapeutic Recreation in 1982. opponents to convert third downs. exceptional leadership capabilities. Born January 15, 1958, Lee and his In 1998, Lee was honored as the wife, Severia, have four Prior to working at North Carolina National Assistant Coach of the sons, Alonzo Jr., A&T, Lee spent six years at Howard Year for NCAA Division I-AA Vernon, Joshua as its assistant head coach. In Football. In 2001, he was and Jamil. n 1987 Lee helped the Bison win the honored by the All-America MEAC Championship. Following Football Foundation as an his time at Howard, Lee spent Outstanding Assistant Coach. eight years at Florida A&M where he was responsible for coaching During his first stint at N.C. linebackers his first four years. For A&T, Lee started a gospel choir the remainder of his time he coached comprised of Aggie defensive backs, handled the strength football and conditioning coaching duties players MEDIA GUIDE www.ncataggies.com and served as the special teams coordinator. During his time with the Rattlers, the school won three MEAC FOOTBALL Championships. Lee became Hampton’s defensive coordinator in 1997. In six 2009 NC A&T seasons, Hampton won two MEAC Championships (1997, 1998). The Pirates led the conference in 75 Chennis Berry, First Season (2nd stint) Playing Experience - Four-year letterman at Savannah State…Played tight end the fi rst two years of his college career…Played offensive tackle the remainder of his career…Named fi rst-team All-SIAC as an offensive lineman in 1994. Education - B.S., in business management (Savannah State, 1996); Master’s in public administration (Kentucky State, 1999). Personal - Born on April 16, 1973 in Cleveland, Ohio …. Grew up in Atlanta…Participated in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy ForumOfensive (2009)…Has workedCoordinator in the NFL’s Minority Internship Program for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and the Chicago Bears... Berry is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Chennis Berry returns to North Carolina A&T for his fourth season overall and his fi rst season under head coach Alonzo Lee. Chennis Berry (Savannah State ‘96) Berry was hired to serve as the Aggies accolades. Simpson and offensive tackle Kentucky State under another Aggie great offensive coordinator and offensive line Clifford Louis benefited even more by signing – George Small in 1997. coach. In addition to coaching the Aggies NFL contracts. offensive line, Berry will be responsible for Behind Berry’s strong offensive line at Boverseeing and constructing the Aggies Berry’s first stint at N.C. A&T lasted for Kentucky State, Alvon Brown broke several offensive game plan. His other duties will three years (2003-05). Over his first two school and national Division II records. include being the Aggies primary play-caller seasons with the Aggies, he served as the Brown broke the single-season rushing on gamedays and recruiting the Piedmont offensive line coach. A strong running record at KSU twice, and finished his career (NC), Fayetteville, N.C., and Metro Atlanta game led the Aggies to the 2003 MEAC as the school’s all-time leading rusher. He areas. Berry brings with him an excellent Championship and a NCAA Division I also rushed for 405 yards in a game on reputation of developing solid offensive lines Football Championship Subdivision playoff September 16, 2000, which at the time while orchestrating rushing attacks that lead berth. Six games into the 2005 season, Berry was a Division II single-game record. Berry’s to record-breaking running backs. took over the Aggies offensive coordinating offensive line also helped Brown win the SIAC duties. His first game as the Aggies chief Player and Back of the Year awards on two Over his career, Berry has also shown play-caller resulted in an Aggies overtime occasions. a willingness to expand his coaching victory in which running back Brandon knowledge. As part of the NFL’s Minority Sweeney rushed for 205 yards on 42 carries. In 2001, Berry became the assistant Internship Program, Berry has interned head coach at Fort Valley State. He was with four different NFL teams. In 2009, he The Aggies continued their strides under responsible for coaching the Wildcats’ participated in the NCAA Expert Coaches Berry. For the first time in school history, offensive linemen and tight ends. His impact Academy Forum. The program prepares three Aggies had more than 100 yards at FVSU was immediately felt as Philip Shiflet young minority assistant coaches for head receiving in a game as Brandon Trusty, Doug earned SIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year coaching positions. Brown and Michael Ferguson performed the and first-team Sheridan All-Americans honors feat on Nov. 5, 2005. Three weeks later, in 2001. Before his return to N.C. A&T, Berry served Trusty tied the school record for receptions in as Morgan State’s offensive coordinator and a game with 14. By season’s end Trusty tied Running back Orlando Wiley rushed for offensive line coach. During Berry’s time the school record for receptions in a season more than 1,400 yards that season and there, the Bears possessed on of the most with 63. Berry also saw two of his offensive was named SIAC Player of the Year. The MEDIA GUIDE www.ncataggies.com GUIDE MEDIA envied running games in the MEAC. In each linemen sign NFL contracts. The Green Bay Wildcats’ running game led to a Division II of his three seasons with Morgan State, the Packers selected Junius Coston in the fifth playoff berth. The next year another Wildcats Bears’ rushing offense ranked in the top 50 round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Walter Stith running back showcased his talent behind FOOTBALL nationally. signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Berry’s linemen. Duron Croson was named Bills in 2006. Coston played in the 2005 SIAC Player and Back of the year in 2002. Two-thousand seven marked the best year Senior Bowl and Stith played in the 2006 He also led black college football in rushing the Bears had under Berry. They led the Hula Bowl. and was a first-team Sheridan All-American. conference in rushing with running back Chad Simpson compiling 127.5 yards per Berry began his career at Morris Brown Berry earned a B.S., degree in business 2009 NC A&T NC 2009 game to lead the league. Nationally, the College in Atlanta where he coached under management from Savannah State in 1996. Bears’ running game was the 18th best in Aggie great Joe Crosby. After one season He also obtained a Master’s degree in public the nation.