By: Kobe Scales, Sports Editor 

Terance Mathis has been named the next Head Coach of Morehouse Football. 

“I wanted a guy that was a local guy, and he provides more ties to the Atlanta Falcons; that is a good partnership for Morehouse College,” said Athletic Director Harold Ellis. “I wanted to get a guy who had a name. My students understand they are dealing with a professional, a guy who had some bumps in the road but still made it to the NFL.” 

Born in Detroit but a true Georgia native, Mathis was a star at Redan High School. He was initially a quarterback before transitioning to wide receiver at the University of New Mexico. A consensus All-American selection in 1989 and multiple broken records led to a College Football Hall of Fame induction in 2023. 

“It’s about using football to prepare men to be successful in life, leaders, and men of service. That is what we’re about here at Morehouse, and ‘he gets it,” said President David A. Thomas. 

The Atlanta Falcons legend was hired on Friday, February 2nd. To go along with Mathis’ 14 years of experience in the NFL, he spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Savannah State University in 2011 & 2012. 

Mathis was drafted in 1990 by the New York Jets but was signed by the Falcons in 1994, playing with the Atlanta-based NFL team until 2001. After Mathis’ stint with the Falcons, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers until 2004, when he retired. 

Mathis time with the Falcons was easily his best years in the NFL. In Mathis’ first season with the Falcons, he caught 111 passes and was third in the league in touchdown receptions. This would be Mathis’ first Pro Bowl season. In 1998, Mathis would lead the Falcons to a Superbowl appearance. He finished the game with seven receptions and 85 yards, along with a three-yard touchdown reception.  

“Give me a chance. At the end of the day, it is about these young men. They’re the ones who have to go to class, deal with society, and play football; that’s my biggest concern right now,” said Coach Terance Mathis. 

Morehouse will be on its third head coach in three years and consecutive 1-9 seasons. Mathis will be looked to for the long-term answer in leading the Maroon Tigers back to glory. “We have to get ready to play football in a hurry,” said Coach Mathis. “We have to get bigger, stronger, and faster in a hurry.”

Edited By: Rece Allen, Sports Producer