Saint Augustine’s University has turned to a former UNC and NFL defensive back to revive its football program.
The Falcons announced March 23 that Howard A. Feggins will be its next head coach.
Feggins most recently served as offensive coordinator at Fayetteville State University, directing an attack that helped the Broncos finish undefeated and win the CIAA Southern Division in 2022. As a result, Feggins was named offensive coordinator for the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans, LA., which was played in February to showcase potential NFL talent from HBCU schools.
Feggins replaces David Bowser, who stepped down from his coaching and athletic director duties in January.
“I am excited to welcome Coach Feggins to SAU,” SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail said in a release. “His experience, leadership, mentorship skills and football philosophy align well with our university’s mission.”
Feggins has been around football for four decades. The South Hill, Va., native played defensive back for the Tar Heels from 1984-87, finishing with 169 career tackles – including 83 as a sophomore. He played briefly in the NFL with the New England Patriots (1988-89) and the New York Giants (1990), and also served a two-year stint with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football.
“After a national search for a person who embodied a re-imagined university with the history of winning championships, Coach Howard Feggins surfaced as the choice,” said Dr. Lin Dawson, SAU’s acting athletic director and current dean of collegiate athletics and exercise science. “The interview committee was diligent in the search for Transformational Leader, and we have found one.”
Before the 2022 season at Fayetteville State, Feggins spent four years as an assistant football coach with Colorado State University-Pueblo from 2018-2021. During his first two years as running backs coach, the Thunderwolves won the 2018 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship.
Feggins spent his remaining years at CSU Pueblo as returners coach, receivers coach and offense academic liaison, with his group earning a collective GPA of 3.2. His experience also included serving as community service liaison and race relations liaison. In addition, he facilitated multiple zoom meetings on race issues in America with NFL coaches and youth coaches.
“I’m excited for the opportunity of the young men and to show them, if they give me all that effort, then we have an opportunity to win,” Feggins said. “The President, Dr. McPhail, and the Athletic Director, Dr. Dawson, are very supportive of the growth and direction of the program.”
Since 2015, own Feggins has owned SACS Sports LLC, a consulting firm with parents and high school student-athletes to help them gain more exposure. He has also been an evaluation coach with NextGen All American Camp & The Show.
Feggins spent the 2014 season as the head coach at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He guided the team to a 6-5 season and a playoff appearance.
Before the season at Warren Central, Feggins had been in the college ranks since 1995. In addition to the coordinator (pass game and offensive) experience since 2004, he earned the NFL Minority Internship. He served as a training camp offensive assistant with the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2008.
Feggins and his wife, Renee, have two sons, Kevin and Jensen.
Saint Augustine’s finished 1-9 last season.
