Jan. 18, 2007

GRAMBLING, La. (AP) - Rod Broadway took over Grambling State's historic football program Thursday, leaving North Carolina Central to coach the Tigers.

Broadway replaces Melvin Spears, fired Dec. 18 after a 3-8 season.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to coach at Grambling State University because it's considered the pinnacle of black college football," Broadway said.

Broadway led North Carolina Central to an 11-1 record last season and its second consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. After a 4-6 mark in 2003, his next three teams won eight or more games for a four-year record of 33-11.

"We are elated that Rod Broadway has agreed to take the leadership reigns of the Grambling State University football program," athletic director Troy Mathieu said.

Broadway, a former assistant at North Carolina, Florida, Duke and East Carolina, played on North Carolina's defensive line from 1974-77 and earned all-Southeastern Conference honors in 1977.