Conley blaims Budget, Administration Change and AD changes for dismissal

COMMERCE — After five years and a record of 24-27, Winnsboro native Scotty Conley was released as head football coach at Texas A&M-Commerce University.

Conley, 60, blamed the change on a shift in administration. “The president who hired me (Dr. Keith McFarland) retired over the summer,” Conley said. “The new president doesn’t know me. I coached there five years and I served under four different athletic directors. I did not fit in with the plans they had.”

Conley said he did rank his five years at the university as a positive experience, despite his release on Dec. 1.

“I got to work with some good people,” Conley said. “We had some quality young men I was fortunate enough to coach. I also worked with some very good and talented young coaches.”

Conley added “Texas A&M Commerce has a lot of potential. But I did not think I was on a level playing field with the other teams in the conference due to the budget. Our lower budget made a great difference in what we wanted to do. It was a battle.”

The coach said he was not ready to retire and wanted to stay in college coaching or take a job in school administration.

“I have been in contact with lots of friends, I made over the years,” Conley said. “I have been coaching in college since 1980, this is what I know best. I won’t rule out any option.”

Conley said he has enjoyed his association with coaching, dating back to an early job coaching in Sulphur Springs on the seventh grade level.

“I think this is the profession I know the best. I will listen to offers and see what comes up. I’ve had a lot of support from friends and that helps,” Conley said.

In a prepared statement Texas A&M University-Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper announced effective Dec, 1 that he has relieved head football coach Scotty Conley of his duties.

"We are thankful for Scotty and his contributions to our football program, but as an organization we have decided to go in a new direction for our football program," said Cooper.

In 2008, Conley and the Lions opened up the season with a No. 18 nationally ranked and finished second in the Lone Star Conference North Division. A&M-Commerce posted a 5-5 record and a 3-2 mark in the LSC North. The Lions also made a return appearance in the inaugural Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl, posting a 27-15 win over East Central. In 2007, A&M-Commerce shared a LSC North Division title after posting a 5-6 overall mark and 3-2 in the LSC North. The Lions also made an appearance on national television in its season opener against Pittsburg State.

“Winning constantly is something we expect to do at A&M-Commerce and it has been a challenge for our institution before the arrival of Coach Conley. I thank Coach Conley and his entire staff for their effort and attitude in attempting to improve our program. We have not met our expectations for football,” said Cooper.

A national search for a new football coach will begin immediately....


For the rest of the story, go to the Sulphur Springs News Telegram

A&M-Commerce Knocks off #14 Tarleton by 18

A 20-4 run midway through the second half led Texas A&M University-Commerce to an 85-67 victory over host No. 14 Tarleton State.

Junior Cardell Hunter scored 20 of his 22 in the second half and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds for his first double double as a Lion. Teammate DeUndrae Spraggins scored 12 of the first 20 points for A&M-Commerce, who finished the contest with 20 points in the win. The duo was in double figures for the fifth-straight game and joined by Rashad Brown, who recorded his second straight double double with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and Dominique Taylor added 11.

With a 43-39 lead with 15:44 left after a Spraggins tip in, A&M-Commerce went on a decisive a 20-4 run en route to the win. During the run, 12 of the 20 points came in the point against a taller Tarleton State squad.

Tarleton State (4-1) senior forward Eric Williams hit six three pointers for a game-high 24 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. In the loss, Tarleton State was held to 39% shooting from the field and outrebounded by the Lions by a...

Go to Lionathletics.com for the rest of the story.

Scooby Johnson Named to the 2008 Daktronics All-American Third Team

From Lionathletics.com

Johnson Becomes Only the 15th Player in School History to Earn All-American Honors

March 25, 2008

Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball senior Scooby Johnson on Tuesday was named to the 2008 Daktronics All-American Third Team.

Of the 15 players named to the Daktronics All-American teams, Johnson is the lone Lone Star Conference representative.

Named to the first team were Jonte Flowers and John Smith of Winona State, Steve Dagostino of St. Rose and Jonny Reibel of Rollins. On the second team were Jeremy Black of Tampa, Callistus Eziukwu of Grand Valley State, Chris Gilliam of Pitt-Johnstown, Anthony Hilliard of Elizabeth City State and Devin Peal of Humboldt State. Joining Johnson on the third team were Cory Abercrombie of Pittsburg State, Chris Commons of USC-Aiken, Jeff Fahnbulleh of Kentucky Wesleyan and Michael Sturns of Holy Family.

In his lone season, he led A&M-Commerce to the championship game of the Lone Star Conference Tournament, before dropping a 72-70 decision to NCAA Elite Eight participant Central Oklahoma. He was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 19.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in the three games. To reach the championship game, the Lions defeated the No. 1 team in the NCAA South Central Region and LSC South Division champion, West Texas A&M and defeated the No. 9 team in the NCAA South Central Region, Abilene Christian. Prior to the tournament, Johnson was named to the first team all-Lone Star Conference North Division as well as the Lone Star Conference North Division Newcomer of the Year.

Johnson led the Lone Star Conference in scoring with 20.7 points per game; third in field goal percentage, making 59.2% of his shots, fifth in rebounding with 7.7 rebounds per game and he ranks in the top 15 in steals, offensive rebounds and in defensive rebounds. Nationally, he ranks as one of the top players as he is 10th in the nation in scoring, 28th in field goal percentage, 95th in rebounds per game and 257th in steals per game.

Johnson scored in double figures in 29 of 30 games, including a stretch of 21 consecutive to begin his A&M-Commerce career and was a two-time Lone Star Conference North Division Player of the Week. Johnson recorded double-digit points and rebounds in seven games and scored 30 or more points in four contests.

Link to Daktronics Release