Saint Augustine’s University’s recently-fired head college football coach Howard Feggins painted a grim picture of his former program during a disheartening press conference on Monday. The Falcons are terrible, but it sounds like there was nothing Feggins could do to help turn that around.
At 0-7, it is remarkable that St. Augustine was even able to play seven games. It is impressive that they are on pace to finish the college football season at all!
The 155-year-old Historically Black College and University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, competes on the Division-II level with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. As the only team in the conference without a win, it is currently ranked dead last.
To try and change the momentum, St. Augustine fired head college football coach Howard Feggins on Friday after reportedly playing two ineligible players. He was only hired just over seven months ago.
Upon arrival, Feggins and his team faced a myriad of significant challenges. With dozens of his former players by his side in support, he told his story on Monday.
Feggins said that his team struggled to get proper equipment due to unpaid bills. And once they got the necessary gear, the Falcons had to practice on concrete — during the season — without a full-time athletic trainer. They were forced to play on the unsafe surface while a turf field was installed in the stadium.
Of course, that was not suitable. Feggins said that made arrangements to play on a nearby practice field within Wake County, but needed proof of insurance from the school.
Per his account, St. Augustine administrators were unresponsive. Thus, the Falcons practiced on concrete.
Recently-fired college football coach Howard Feggins did not hold back about his experience.
Feggins was understandably furious with the university. He was more concerned for his players.
During the two weeks time I was sending emails to administration, trying to get the [certificate of insurance] so that my team can have the best chance to compete on Saturday. I got no response.
One day I sent three emails to administration and never heard back. I was so frustrated about the lack of communication, but more importantly, the mental and physical well-being of our student-athletes that I emailed the administration on forfeiting our Bowie State game.
— Howard Feggins
Facing the threat of forfeiture, St. Augustine administrators finally responded.
I kept saying, Why? Why should I put our young man in harm’s way when the administration not showing they care who allows a football team to practice on concrete, basically a high-tempo walkthrough and now go play a fast, physical game on Saturday without proper preparation. As I said, I finally got an email back from the Chief of Staff (Dr. John E. Smith), saying. ‘We cannot forfeit a game, but take a look at the grass beside Goold Hall and St. Agnes Hospital.’
— Howard Feggins
Feggins said that the suggested area was not suitable for college football practice.
Despite every effort to put his team in the best position for success, Feggins says that it was ultimately out of his hands.
Is it wrong of me to protect my players knowing that they were not properly prepared to play a football game? I kept saying, ‘do they not understand what it takes to play the game?’
— Howard Feggins
Feggins’ full comments went further into his less-than one year college football head coaching stint with the Falcons. Saint Augustine’s University declined to comment after the press conference.