Rod Broadway named Grambling State coach

GRAMBLING, La. - Grambling State on Thursday hired Rod Broadway, football coach at North Carolina Central University for the past four years, as its new head coach.<br> <br> Broadway, a 28-year collegiate coach, last season led North Carolina Central to a second consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. After an initial 4-6 record in 2003, his next three teams put up seasons of eight wins or more for a four-year record of 33-11.<br> <br> ``We are elated that Rod Broadway has agreed to take the leadership reigns of the Grambling State University football program,&#39;&#39; Grambling athletics director Troy Mathieu said in a statement issued by the school.<br> <br> Prior to North Carolina Central, Broadway was an assistant at North Carolina, Florida, Duke and East Carolina. He played on North Carolina&#39;s defensive line from 1974-77 and earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 1977.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m looking forward to the opportunity to coach at Grambling State University because it&#39;s considered the pinnacle of black college football,&#39;&#39; Broadway said in the Grambling statement. ``I&#39;ve had a good stay at Central and met some unbelievable people here that have supported me over the years.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Broadway replaces Melvin Spears, who was fired Dec. 18 after a 3-8 season. Spears went 6-5 in his initial season of 2004 and posted an 11-1 record in 2005 as Grambling captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference title.