South Carolina State University made a brilliant and bold decision to hire Chennis Berry to take over the Bulldogs football program. "The baton has been passed off," Chennis Berry exclaimed. "And it's time for me to run my race, and the job is to move the legacy forward."
It's a rich legacy at South Carolina State. For the moment, the coaching giants of collegiate football - Willie Jeffries and Oliver "Buddy" Pough - are towering over Chennis Berry. But, he's ready for the challenge. Retiring head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough did a masterful job securing his successor, and keeping him in South Carolina. Coach Pough's message to other schools interviewing candidates was simple, "Don't mess with my guy," Charlie Neal told HBCU Legends.
"He was about the hottest property as there was in this whole coaching business in the last two years," Pough said about Berry in the introductory press conference. "In a case where you do that kind of stuff, then you catch the eye of a whole lot of folks."
At Benedict College, Berry posted a head coaching record of 27-7 in three seasons with two SIAC championship titles and the 2022 HBCU Division II National Championship banner in the rafters. Yet, three SWAC teams whiffed at hiring him - Texas Southern University, Southern University, and Grambling State. It's difficult to imagine why he did not receive an in-person invitation. He's a Bulldog now, and Berry has plenty to bark about in Orangeburg.
He remarked that his mission is "to change the lives and trajectory of the lives of these young men is extremely important...there's an expiration date to this game of football...I'm preparing young men to be ready for the game that we call life."
THE MEAC
Today, Berry's presence could create a contentious power struggle in the MEAC. The Bulldogs' leader joins a conference with influential coaching figures like Trei Oliver (NCCU), Larry Scott (Howard), Damon Wilson (Morgan State), and Dawson Odums (Norfolk State). The modern-day HBCU football power structure could tilt, favoring the 53-year-old league over the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Still, the games must be played and not penciled in as guaranteed wins during the future MEAC/SWAC Challenges and Celebration Bowls.
THE VISION
Will Chennis Berry dominate the HBCU football landscape via recruiting, developing players, and re-branding the South Carolina State football program in year one? Possibly. However, his overall positive effect will be on the entire Bulldog culture. His energy, passion, and winning philosophy is infectious. It'll be a matter of time before the Garnet and Blue reclaim a spot atop HBCU football with Berry at the helm. He's aware of the program's deep history in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is quite substantial. "When you're following two living legends, it's no easy task." How will Berry's quest begin this fall? Shall Berry become the next HBCU coaching legend?
We shall see.
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