COLUMBIA, S.C. – Allen College Director of Athletics Jasher Cox has introduced the appointment of Cedric Pearl as the brand new Head Coach of the Yellow Jacket Soccer program on Friday.
“I’m delighted to announce the arrival of Cedric Pearl as our new head soccer coach,” mentioned AD Cox. “His capability to attach with recruits, his ardour and love for his gamers and his alignment with our imaginative and prescient and values are among the many many causes he has been chosen to steer our program. We eagerly anticipate an thrilling period below Coach Pearl’s management.”
“I commend AD Cox for his tireless effort to determine one of the best match for the soccer crew and the college,” commented President Ernest McNealey on the teaching choice. “Coach Pearl was certainly one of just a few prospects offered to me for consideration and previous to the conclusion of the interview, it was abundantly clear that the AD had discovered the appropriate coach. We welcome Coach Pearl and his spouse to the AU Household and look ahead to a profitable tenure.”
“It’s with nice honor that I settle for the Head Soccer Coach place right here at Allen College,” mentioned Coach Pearl. “I wish to thank the Board of Trustees, President McNealey, and AD Jasher Cox for this chance. YellowJacket Nation, Lets Swarm!”
Earlier than coming to Allen, Pearl served because the Defensive Line coach at Alabama A&M College, an FCS Div. I program, the place he helped lead the crew to 7 SWAC wins and 9 general wins over the previous two seasons.
Earlier than AAMU, Pearl beforehand served as the pinnacle coach at fellow SIAC establishment Central State College in Ohio for the previous six seasons (2014-2019). He took over this system with solely 11 scholarships and simply 9 wins within the earlier 5 seasons. However in his first two seasons they went on to win 9 video games and had the #1 ranked protection within the SIAC. In 2015, he was awarded because the Coach of the Yr for Central State Athletics for reaching the primary .500 season or higher since soccer returned in 2005. He led the crew to 2 5-win .500 seasons and totaled 14 SIAC wins. Below Pearl, the Marauders recorded a 5-5 general mark in 2018 and a second place end within the SIAC West Division – one of the best end since CSU joined the SIAC. As well as, Pearl and his employees developed 11 All-Convention choices, 6 Tremendous Area choices and 1 AFCA All-American. He additionally acquired the Coach of the Yr award once more in 2018 whereas graduating over 85% of his student-athletes.
Coach Pearl got here to Central State after 13 seasons as an assistant at Alabama A&M College from 2003-2014 whereas additionally serving because the interim head coach at AAMU in 2014. Throughout his tenure at Alabama A&M because the offensive line and offensive coordinator, this system gained 5 SWAC Japanese Division titles together with a Southwestern Athletic Convention (SWAC) championship in 2006 whereas his offense led the SWAC in scoring and whole offense in 2007.
He additionally had the chance to educate in six championship video games together with 5 within the SWAC in addition to one in 2021 because the offensive coordinator with Miles School within the SIAC championship when Miles gained the SIAC West Division with a 6-2 convention mark.
Earlier than heading to AAMU as an assistant, Pearl served because the Offensive Line Coach at fellow SIAC member, Morehouse School (Ga.) for 2 seasons in 2001 and 2002 and had two 1st TEAM All-SIAC Picks on the Offensive Line.
Pearl’s teaching profession started as a graduate assistant for Tuskegee in 1993, becoming a member of the employees full time in 1994 because the offensive line coach. After three seasons with the Tigers, Pearl headed to Morris Brown School because the line of defense coach and recruiting coordinator from 1996-2000. In 1996, Pearl helped the MBC protection lead the SIAC in defensive scoring. He spent 5 seasons with the Wolverines earlier than becoming a member of the teaching employees at Morehouse.
Pearl performed collegiately at Tuskegee College. He earned his B.A. in Social Work in 1992 and earned a Grasp’s in Training in Counseling and Scholar Improvement in 1995. As a member of the Golden Tiger soccer crew, Pearl was a three-time All-SIAC choice with an Honorable Point out in 1989, a second crew choice in 1990, and a First Group choice in 1991. In 2020, Pearl was inducted into the Tuskegee College Corridor of Fame.
A member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Pearl served as an intern below NFL head coaches Herman Edwards and Artwork Shell in the course of the summers of 2005 and 2006. He additionally accomplished a training internship with the Oakland Raiders previous to the 2006 season and the NY Jets in 2005. Pearl acquired the 2006 Most Excellent Coach of the Yr Golden Torch award as effectively from the Huntsville Athletic Booster Membership which honors professionals for achievements of their particular fields.
Coach Pearl and his spouse Danita have a daughter, Shanice Adams.
