June 2013 - Black Sports The Magazine

SIAC
Augusta, GA - Paine College
Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan
announced that Gregory A.
Ruffin has been named Head
Football Coach.
Albany State University, GA - Benedict College, SC - Claflin University, SC - Clark Atlanta University, GA
Fort Valley State University, GA - Kentucky State University, KY - Lane College, TN
Lemoyne Owen College, TN - Miles College, AL - Morehouse College, GA - Paine College, GA
Stillman College, AL - Tuskegee University, AL
Greg Ruffin - Paine’s First Football Coach in over 50 Years
“We are excited to have Coach
Greg Ruffin as the first leader of
the Paine College football team
in over 50 years. His tremendous
experience includes being
involved in two start-up
programs and working at
multiple Division I and Division
II institutions. He has a
contagious energy, his passion
for football is evident and his
track record as a recruiter is
unmatched. Paine College and
the CSRA Community are very
fortunate to have Coach Ruffin as the leader of Augusta’s football
team,” stated Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan.
Paine College President, Dr. George C. Bradley states “this is a
great day for Paine College. The hiring of Coach Greg Ruffin is
the realization of the latest step in our strategic goal of Student
Engagement - Strengthening our Athletic Program. Coach Ruffin
stood out in the interview process because of his detailed vision
of how he plans to start and grow the Paine College football
team. He has assured me that the young men he recruits will
be great representatives of Paine College, and will be model
student-athletes. I am pleased to have him lead our football
program.”
“My family and I are ecstatic about the opportunity that has been
bestowed upon me as your next Head Football Coach at Paine
College. Dr. Bradley clearly has a vision for the college and my
staff, and I will do everything in our power to make sure that we
surround ourselves with quality student athletes who understand
the mission and core values of the college as it relates to building
a high quality NCAA Division II football program and graduate
these young men”, stated Ruffin.
Ruffin comes to Paine College from Texas Southern University
(TSU) in Houston, TX, where he served as the Recruiting
Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach during the 2012 season.
Prior to TSU, he served six seasons at Jackson State University,
helping the program win the 2007 Southwestern Athletic
Conference Championship and a runner-up finish in 2009.
In his duties at Jackson State (JSU), Ruffin served as the
Recruiting Coordinator and Running Backs Coach. Coach Ruffin
came to JSU from Tuskegee University, where he served as
Running Backs Coach under Head Coach Rick Comegy.
Before his arrival at Tuskegee in 2005, Ruffin served one season
(2004) as Defensive Assistant Coach at Ouachita Baptist
University in Arkadelphia, AR. Prior to Ouachita Baptist, he served
one year (2002) as Head Football Coach at Shaw University in
Recruiting Coordinator.
Raleigh, N.C., where he
resurrected the Shaw football
program after a 23-year hiatus,
propelling the first-year program
to a 7-3 record. Ruffin spent one
year at Benedict College (2001)
as the Offensive Coordinator
and Quarterback Coach.
During two seasons (1999-
2000) at Lincoln University in
Jefferson City, MO, he worked in
four different capacities -
Offensive Coordinator, Wide
Receivers Coach, Strength and
Conditioning Coach and
Recruiting Coordinator. He
served on the staff of his alma
mater for one season (1998) as
Receivers Coach and
His first collegiate coaching assignment was in 1997, with
Kemper Military Community College in Booneville, MO, as the
Running Backs Coach. In 1997, Kemper Military finished 10-2,
and was ranked seventh in the country in the National Junior
College Athletic Association.
In 1995, Ruffin coached the wide receivers and defensive backs
at Northside High School in Jackson, TN, and running backs in
1996 at Jackson Central-Merry High School, Jackson, TN.
Ruffin started as a freshman at quarterback at Wentworth Military
Academy, before transferring to Lane College in 1993. At Lane,
he was the starting fullback, who paved the way for the late Fred
Lane Jr., who had a successful NFL career with the Carolina
Panthers. In 1995, Lane posted a 9-1 record, the best in the
school’s history.
During his career he has been a part of two different programs
that have resurrected their football programs after lengthy
absences (Lincoln University 1999 & Shaw University in 2002).
He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association
and the USSSA Baseball Umpires Association. Ruffin is a
graduate of Lane College (B.S. - Criminal Justice) Jackson, TN,
as well as Jackson State University (M.S. - Sports Administration).
Coach Ruffin also stated, “It is indeed an honor and a privilege
to have been chosen to become the Head Football Coach here
at Paine College. I believe with the quality of high school football
that is being played in the Central Savannah River Area and the
state of Georgia in particular, we should be able to build a
formidable football program here at Paine College. We will work
diligently and thoroughly to make sure that we recruit from this
area and increase the awareness of our outstanding college,
as well as the Augusta, GA, area.”
For more information on Paine College Football, visit
www.paineathletics.com.
@Copyright 2004 thesiac.com
BSTM June 2013 41