Jackson Free Press

Coaching football is the one profession where the common question is "what have you done lately?" Jackson State University knows the answer to that question. Coach Rick Comegy led Jackson State to a 9-2 regular season record with a 7-2 SWAC record to earn a two-year extension.

Comegy was able to guide the Tigers to a nice record with his team knowing they could not play for a SWAC Championship. The NCAA placed JSU under a postseason ban and the SWAC voted that the ban included the conference title game.

The JSU season could have gone totally sideways with no championship to play for but Comegy was able to keep his team focused. Even without being able to play for the SWAC title, the Tigers finished in a tie for the East division.

In six seasons at JSU, Comegy has compiled a 41-26 record. Comegy bounced back from a 3-7 season in 2009 and on the hot seat to an 8-3 record in 2010 before this season.

The main reason for the turnaround was Comegy taking a chance on quarterback Casey Therriault. It was Therriault whose play was so outstanding in his two years at JSU that it helped this team bounce back to the top of the SWAC.

In addition to receiving the two-year extension, Comegy also gets a raise. Comegy will earn a salary of $191,580, a 3 percent increase over his previous salary.