Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - I couldn't help but remember the words of Bo Schemblechler this week when I heard that Hampton had fired coach Jerry Holmes on Tuesday.

When Michigan men's basketball coach Bill Frieder announced he was taking a job at Arizona State on the eve of the 1989 NCAA tournament, but he wanted to continue coaching the Wolverines, the fiery Schemblechler announced that "Michigan will be coached by a Michigan man."

Schemblechler promoted assistant coach Steve Fisher to the head coaching job and Fisher rewarded Schemblechler by leading the Wolverines to the NCAA championship, beating Seton Hall 80-79 in the title game.

I don't know if elevating long-time assistant Donovan Rose to Hampton's head coaching job will bear similar fruit to Schemblecher's decision, but the move made it very clear that the Pirates expect the same type of loyalty to their program.

The timing of Hampton's decision, just eight days before national letters of intent are signed, was a curious one. But the Pirates wanted to head off a potential problem.

Holmes, who had just completed his first year as a head coach after the legendary Joe Taylor had moved to Florida A&M, was reportedly exploring job opportunities with some NFL clubs and confirmed to Hampton athletic officials that he had interviewed for some jobs at last week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy told reporters he decided to part company with Holmes to "safeguard our program."

There were concerns that opponents were using Holmes' uncertain status against Hampton in recruiting.

"I want to personally thank coach Holmes for his eight years of service to Hampton, including last season as our head coach," Hardy said in a press release, announcing the change. "Unfortunately, we were not on one accord as it related to the future direction of the football program. I felt a dire need to have atop our football program a coach whose commitment, loyalty and devotion to Hampton University were without question."

Holmes probably didn't feel too secure at Hampton after leading the Pirates to a 6-5 season and dropping four of his last five games in his only year as a head coach. Expectations of playoff berths and MEAC championships had become common place under the direction of Taylor.

Hampton captured three consecutive MEAC titles from 2004-06 and advanced to the NCAA playoffs in each of those years.

Holmes was born and raised in nearby Newport News, VA. before moving on to star at West Virginia and during a 12-year pro career with the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions, the New York Jets and the New Jersey Generals.

He spent five years as an NFL assistant with the San Diego Chargers, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns after starting his coaching career as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Hampton from 1992-94.

Holmes came back as Hampton's defensive coordinator in 2004 and had Taylor's blessing to become the head coach when Taylor decided to move on.

"There is no one I'd rather see get the job than Coach Holmes," Taylor said in the 2008 Hampton media guide.

It was one of several testimonials from coaches such as Romeo Crennel of the Cleveland Browns, Ken Whisenhunt of the St. Louis Cardinals, Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins and renown defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger.

But none of that praise could overcome the loyalty issue that is becoming increasingly important to athletic directors.

Just a couple of weeks earlier, Boston College AD Gene DiFilippo - at one time the head of Villanova's athletic program - dismissed coach Jeff Jagodzinski when Jagodzinski defied DeFilippo by interviewing for the New York Jets head coaching position. Just a year removed from Tom O'Brien's departure for North Carolina State, DeFilippo hopes he has found a more loyal coach in long-time assistant FRank Spaziani.

And Hardy can only hope that he has located the same in Rose, a loyal assistant who has served at Hampton for 18 years. Rose coached the secondary and had been elevated to defensive coordinator last season.

Rose, who like Holmes has playing roots as an NFL defensive back, was named as the American Football Coaches Association I-AA assistant coach of the year in 2003 and won the Mike Campbell Award for coaching from the All-American Football Foundation the same year.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ALCORN STATE?

The instability at Hampton this week pales in comparison to what is taking place in that soap opera known as Alcorn State football. In the latest chapter of this circus, Ernest Jones was finally fired on Tuesday after just one year with the program.

Alcorn said it was firing Jones for "malfeasance and contumacious conduct' in a press release.

The Braves finished 2-10 in Jones' only season and must wonder now why they chased off Dr. Johnny Thomas, who had posted five winning years in the previous seven campaigns.

Trouble began brewing in November when new athletic director Darren Hamilton left letters of termination to seven members of Jones' staff in their mail boxes on Thanksgiving Day.

Hamilton, FCS fans might remember, previously left Eastern Washington after a short and stormy tenure as athletic director.

The staff was reinstated by school officials on Dec. 8, but Jones was informed on Dec. 11 that Alcorn State intended to terminate his contract for cause, which would have allowed the SWAC school to avoid paying the three years left on his $140,000-per-year contract.

Jones filed a $3 million law suit two days later, naming Alcorn president George Ross and Hamilton among the defendants. Alcorn officials, in turn, accused Jones of insubordination as they went through an appeals process to force Jones out.

In the meantime, Jones got a court injunction against the university, prohibiting Jones and his assistants from being fired. It also prevented Alcorn officials from freezing the football budget and interfering with recruiting and coaching.

Remarkably, Jones and his staff continued to hit the recruiting trail, though you would have to wonder what type of student would want to play for a program in such turmoil.

"Our focus has been and continues to be the success of our student-athletes," Ross said in the press release, announcing the firing. "Alcorn's football program is firmly rooted in honesty and integrity, and I have great confidence in our ability to grow and strengthen our academic and athletic offerings."

Word is that Steve McNair, Alcorn State's most notable alumnus and the 1994 Walter Payton Award winner, is the leading candidate to replace Jones.

But you have to wonder if McNair could scramble out of the mess that the Alcorn program has created.