DelState hopes to rebound from losing record as football season nears under a new coach

DOVER - Lee Hull knows his terrain.

Originally from South Jersey, he has combed the Mid-Atlantic area for high school football recruits throughout his coaching career.

That has helped lead to prosperous Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference stints as a head coach and coordinator at two different schools.

But now Hull has come to Delaware State University, where recent history haunts the Hornets. Other qualified football coaches have failed to build a winner or maintain success.

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DSU hasn’t had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2012. It won its last MEAC title in 2007 under coach Al Lavan, who was fired three years later after back-to-back losing seasons.

Now the task is Hull’s to make DSU the type of football destination it hasn’t been since Bill Collick’s 12-year tenure as coach ended way back in 1996.

Why Delaware State?

Hull explained his interest in the DSU job and why he feels he can make a difference Tuesday as the Hornets gathered for photo day at Alumni Stadium, where preseason practice was to start Wednesday.

Hull came to DSU after serving as offensive coordinator at MEAC co-champion Howard in 2022. He also spent two years as head coach at Morgan State and guided the Bears to the NCAA playoffs after winning a share of the MEAC title in 2014. He was MEAC coach of the year.

“They weren’t far off and they just needed a little bit more direction, a little bit more discipline, a little bit more structure, accountability,” Hull said of Morgan State, “and that’s what I’m going to try to bring here. And I think the guys are tired of losing, so they’re willing to do everything. They really bought into what we’ve been trying to stress.”

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Hull left Morgan State after the 2015 season with a 12-12 overall record to serve on the Indianapolis Colts staff. Hull spent one year there and was out of coaching before becoming offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at Wagner in 2019. He moved to Howard in 2020.

“I knew there’s a plethora of talent in the Mid-Atlantic region,” Hull, who has also coached at Maryland, said of his recruiting base. “And then also [the Hornets] were 5-6 last year, so they weren’t too far off. So I was impressed and that was appealing to me.’’

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Marquis Gillis was in the hospital last year when he learned he’d been voted MEAC Offensive Rookie of the Year. Gillis’ 49.5 rushing yards per game ranked fifth in the league as he gained 545 yards on 112 carries with five touchdowns.

But his season was cut short by a case of endocarditis, a dangerous bacterial infection that affects the heart chambers.

“My organs were shutting down,” said Gillis, who doesn’t know how he became afflicted.

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He lost 20 pounds and missed spring practice while still recovering. But now Gillis is at 205 pounds, 10 more than last year, and appreciates the opportunity ahead.

“I’m just blessed to be back with my teammates,” Gillis said. “ … They’re getting the best out of me every day.”

DSU’s backfield was also boosted by the addition of transfer Jaden Sutton, a two-time second-team All-Patriot League pick at Lafayette with 969 yards career rushing yards.

“I'm just excited to have him back and see what he can do when we start practice,” Hull said of Gillis.

QB competition for Henry

C.J. Henry, the former state offensive player of the year at Hodgson, has some competition in trying to retain the starting quarterback job. Henry was third-team All-MEAC last year after throwing for 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns.

But a new coaching staff means a new offense and Henry must adjust and improve.

“I just think he’s got to grow in our system,” Hull said of Henry. “It’s different. They were really run the ball, run the ball, some play action [last year]. We’re gonna ask them to read some coverages and make some decisions. There’s gonna be a learning curve for him and for all the quarterbacks.”

Marqui Adams also returns after seeing spot duty last year and DSU brought in a couple freshmen and grad transfer Aaron Angelos, who began his career at Washington State and started three games at Lafayette in 2021.

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Henry agreed he must “become more aware of defenses” and improving that knowledge will make him a better quarterback.

He’s pleased to have Hull leading the way.

“We all know he’s won,” Henry said. “. . . He knows what it takes to get there and win that championship. And that’s what it’s all about to win the [MEAC] championship and win the Celebration Bowl.”

Difficult early stretch looms

The Hornets open the 2023 schedule at home against Division II Bowie State Sept. 2.

Then comes a wicked three-week stretch with trips to Army on Sept. 9, FCS playoff qualifier Richmond on Sept. 16 and a second FBS foe, Miami of Ohio, on Sept. 23.

That may be a difficult way to instill confidence in a developing team, but Hull expects DSU to be in a solid groove when MEAC play commences with an Oct. 21 homecoming visit from South Carolina State.

Mix of youth, veterans

Gillis, offensive lineman Sam Pearson and defensive back Romell Harris-Freeman were first-team preseason All-MEAC picks. Offensive lineman Isaiah Cook, linebacker Maurio Goings and kicker Nathan Wilson were second-team selections.

Delaware State was last in the preseason MEAC coaches’ poll, which was led by North Carolina Central. In order in between were Howard, South Carolina State, Morgan State and Norfolk State.

Hull was hardly surprised the Hornets were held in such low regard. But DSU’s 5-6 finishes the last two years equaled its best since going 5-6 in 2013. They were 2-3 in MEAC games last year.

DSU’s bid to improve under Hull begins with a roster that includes 29 freshmen but also several experienced transfers.

“I think we got a really good recruiting class,” Hull said. “The freshmen are gonna be a big part of what we do.”

DSU also needs transfers to make good use of their experience. One of them, wide receiver Khyeem Waleed, began his career at Boise State and caught six passes in the last two years at Arkansas State.

“They got something special,” he said of his decision to attend DSU as a grad transfer.

Time will tell.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware State begins first season under proven MEAC winner Lee Hull