Vincent Dancy says he is bringing back “the Jerry Rice and Satellite Totten days” to Mississippi Valley State’s football program.
The first-time head coach believes he has the quarterback and receiving corps to emulate the dynamic duo that set offensive records and garnered national attention in the early 1980s — a blip of success for a program that has historically been stuck in the Southwestern Athletic Conference cellar.
“I’m not going to tell you or predict the number of games we’re going to win,” Dancy told the Greenwood Rotary Club Tuesday. “But I can tell you this: We will be competitive. We will be brand new offensively. We will be fun.”
Dancy, the former defensive coordinator, was promoted to the head coaching job after MVSU opted not to renew the contract of Rick Comegy, who went 6-38 during his four years in Itta Bena.
Dancy has six starters returning on defense and five on offense from a squad that went 2-9 in 2017, the school’s 11th straight season with a losing record.
Jett Even, according to Dancy, has the inside track at the starting quarterback job. The senior signal caller was one of three players that rotated in the position last year.
Even will be challenged by a pair of sophomores, Christopher Fowler and Dewayne Betts.
“I’m looking for things that are bigger than football — somebody who can lead this team, who can rally these guys behind them,” Dancy said.
He expects the Delta Devils will be most electric at receiver.
Quinn McElfresh, who, as a junior transfer, led the SWAC in receiving yards last season en route to being named the league’s Newcomer of the Year, got some looks during spring drills from scouts from two NFL clubs.
“He’s just got to have a breakthrough season this year to take it to the next level,” Dancy said.
Booker Chambers, another senior and a Greenwood High product, is expected to get a lot of touches, not only at receiver and kick returner, but possibly in the backfield, Dancy said. Chamber might even take snaps at quarterback.
“We’re thinking of a lot of things to get the ball in his hands,” the coach said.
The backfield, according to Dancy, should be anchored by Isaiah Robinson, a Wake Forest graduate transfer who played regularly in his first two seasons for the Atlantic Coast Conference program before an injury sidelined him for his junior season. He saw limited duty as a senior, playing in only three games and rushing for 82 yards on 22 attempts.
“The kid was productive” at Wake Forest, Yancy said. “I know he can be a contributor.”
Valley opens the season on the road Aug. 30 at North Dakota. The Delta Devils first home game is set for Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. against in-state rival Alcorn State.
• Contact Tim Kalich at 581-7243 or tkalich@gwcommonwealth.com.
