Saint Paul’s College Names Willard Bailey Head Football Coach

LAWRENCEVILLE, Va. – Saint Paul’s College President Dr. John K. Waddell has named Willard Bailey as head football coach and associate athletic director for the college. Bailey, inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame last February, is the CIAA’s winningest football coach with a record of 211-112.

Bailey last year led Virginia Union University’s football team to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Eastern Division Championship.

An official announcement will be made during a 10 a.m. press conference Friday, May 28 at Bank of America, 1111 E. Main Street in Richmond.

“ We are excited about Coach Bailey becoming a part of our team and bringing his personal and professional resources to bear on Saint Paul’s College,” said Dr. Waddell. “He will prove valuable to our overall growth and strategic plan by helping us recruit stellar scholar athletes. His record of achievement and success speak for itself.”

Bailey also expressed his enthusiasm in joining Saint Paul’s.

“ I certainly see it as an opportunity to continue the work I believe that is much needed in our community in terms of providing role models and future leaders,” he said. “Saint Paul’s College has already made major strides through its history, particularly during the last few years. I’m excited about the leadership and happy to be a part of it.

Bailey has coached for 31 years at CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) institutions, including nine years with Norfolk State University and 22 years combined tenures at Virginia Union University. He has accumulated six NCAA playoff appearances, seven CIAA Championships rings, and six Gold Bowl Championship titles.

During the 2002 season, Bailey led the Virginia Union University football program to a record of 502 wins. The only other HBCU School to reach the 500 plateau is Tuskegee University. Bailey ranks second in black college career football coaching wins and second among Division II career football coaching wins.

In the past three years, several of Bailey’s former players have gone on to the NFL, including James Atkins, of the Tennessee Titans, Pete Hunter of the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerome Leslie of the Philadelphia Eagles.
A native of Suffolk, Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University and a master’s degree in Education and Athletic Administration from New York University.