Alabama State Promotes Vazquez To Head Coach

Jose'-Vazquez-headshot

Jose Vazquez, associate head coach to Mervyl Melendez at Alabama State, was promoted Wednesday to head coach, replacing Melendez, who left to become the coach of Florida International last month.

In addition to his time at Alabama State, Vazquez also played for and then coached with Melendez at Bethune-Cookman. He was an assistant coach for the Wildcats for nine years before following Melendez to Alabama State.

At Alabama State, Vazquez helped turn the Hornets into a powerhouse in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Hornets have won three straight SWAC East Division championships and were named Black College National Champions by BlackCollegeNines.com in 2014 and 2016.

Alabama State reached new heights this season, culminating with a SWAC Tournament championship and its first ever berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets went 38-17, including a 24-0 mark in SWAC play, becoming the first team in the nation to go undefeated in conference play since 2012.

Melendez and Vazquez are both natives of Puerto Rico and, as recruiting coordinator, Vazquez has had success bringing players from the island to Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State. Seven players on the Hornets’ roster this year were Puerto Rican natives, including righthander Angel Alicea, who was drafted in the 20th round by the Blue Jays.

2016 COACHING CHANGES
School Departures Arrivals
Alabama Mitch Gaspard Greg Goff
Alabama State Mervyl Melendez Jose Vazquez
Appalachian State Billy Jones
Army Matt Reid Jim Foster
Butler Steve Farley Dave Schrage
Central Florida Terry Rooney Greg Lovelady
Florida International Turtle Thomas Mervyl Melendez
Furman Ron Smith Brett Harker
Jacksonville Tim Montez Chris Hayes
Kentucky Gary Henderson Nick Mingione
Lamar Jim Gilligan (ret.) Will Davis
Liberty Jim Toman
Louisiana Tech Greg Goff Lane Burroughs
Missouri Tim Jamieson Steve Bieser
Nebraska-Omaha Bob Herold
Northwestern State Lane Burroughs Bobby Barbier
Oakland John Musachio Jacke Heale, Colin Kaline
Purdue Doug Schreiber Mark Wasikowski
San Jose State Dave Nakama Jason Hawkins
SIU-Edwardsville Tony Stoecklin Sean Lyons
Southeast Missouri State Steve Bieser
Texas Augie Garrido David Pierce
Tulane David Pierce
Villanova Joe Godri
Wright State Greg Lovelady
Youngstown State Steve Gillispie Dan Bertolini

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