Alcorn State head football coach Melvin  Spears has added former Indianapolis Colt Eugene Daniel of LSU and St. Gabriel, Louisiana as the Braves defensive backs coach.

   
Daniel played cornerback in the NFL for 14 years, the first 13 with the Colts, and his last one, 1997, with the Baltimore Ravens. He was a fan favorite with the Colts, and held many longevity records that have since been surpassed only by quarterback Peyton Manning.

   
The eighth round draft pick in 1984 had 38 career interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. His best season, interception wise, was his second. He tied Albert Lewis of Kansas City, by way of Grambling State, for the most interceptions in the AFC with eight that year.

   
The Robert E. Lee High graduate in Baton Rouge is happy to be a Braves assistant coach: “This is a great fit for me, and I expect to learn a lot from my fellow coaches and from being in the SWAC.  This is a passing conference, they love to put it in the air, and I will be enjoying Saturday's this Fall.”

   
Daniel, who helped train football players at Scotlandville High and  McKinley High in Baton Rouge, believes that proper technique and the right angles are the keys to being a good defensive back. The former high school quarterback in high school, he was the MVP at that position in the All Star game his senior season, believes that having good work habits prepares one for the game of football.

   
He predicts that the Brave secondary maybe young and inexperienced due to graduation:”The new coaching staff will evaluate the talent that we already have, and the new talent coming in, then make that call as to who will be starting. In- experience with talent means that the defensive back will make more

positive plays than mistakes.”

   
Daniels adds that coach Spears and defensive coordinator Michael Roach will make the decisions regarding what defenses will be played but he likes the fact that Spears likes an attacking defense.

   
Daniel, who also played basketball and ran track in high school, tabs Jerry Rice of the 49Ers, by way of Ms. Valley State, as the toughest receiver that he ever had to cover while in the NFL. “I am pleased that a person with so much knowledge about the defensive back position, and who played 14 years at the

highest level, will be in charge of our Brave defensive backs:” states Spears.