Blount inks five-year agreement with Winston-Salem State

Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State University and head football coach Kermit Blount have agreed on a new five-year contract that will keep him at the head of the Rams' program through the 2006 season. The multi-year contract provides a very competitive salary, believed to make Blount one of the highest paid coaches in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and perhaps in all of Division II.

Kermit Blount

"This new contract presents a positive situation for both parties," said Blount, who holds a career record of 56-38-3 in nine seasons as the Rams' head man. "As a coach your first concern is job security and this let's me know that Winston-Salem State is committed to doing the right thing. It also speaks highly of Chancellor Martin and Dr. Caldwell (Director of Athletics) in that they're showing their appreciation for what we have been able to accomplish."

Blount, who led the Rams to back-to-back CIAA championships in 1999 and 2000, earning him Coach of the Year honors on both occasions, sees the incentive laden deal, which includes bonuses for conference championships, post-season appearances and graduation rates, as a reward for past success and a bridge to the future of the Ram program.

"The new five-year contract should definitely help us in the area of recruiting, said Blount who starred at Winston-Salem State in the late 70s and recently concluded a three-year deal signed under the former athletic administration. "However, the fact that we've been successful in the past five years and having the chance to compete for three conference championships will help our recruiting more than anything."

First-year Director of Athletics Dr. Chico Caldwell says that it was to secure Blount to a long term deal in order to solidify the university's commitment to the football program and consequently give the Rams a chance to compete with the top teams on the Division II level.

"Coach Blount has proven that he can build a solid program and be successful and as an administration we thought it was important to let our coach know that we appreciate what he has done for the institution," Caldwell said. "As for the length of the contract, we're realizing that a coach can't be under a one-year contract and build a successful program. If we expect to keep good coaches, we must realize that long-term contracts are a sign of the times. And here at Winston-Salem State University we want to be one of the leaders in athletics and set the pace for how a top Division II school should operate."