Southern University Approves Settlement for Former Coach Terrence Graves
Southern University has finalized a settlement for former head coach Terrence Graves following his midseason dismissal, while transitioning him into a new university role.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
Former Southern University head coach Terrence Graves will receive a financial settlement following his midseason firing, the school announced Friday. The university board approved the agreement, ensuring Graves is compensated for the remaining months on his contract.
Under the terms of the settlement, Graves will receive $250,000 covering October through December. Starting January 1, he will transition into a university position with a $75,000 annual salary, though his specific role has not been disclosed.
Graves originally joined Southern University in December 2023, replacing Eric Dooley. He initially served as interim head coach while also handling duties as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach. Dooley himself was dismissed midseason in 2023 following a 5-5 record that fell short of expectations.
Despite winning a SWAC Championship in his first season as head coach, Graves experienced a similar midseason decline in 2025. Southern started 1-6, prompting the promotion of co-offensive coordinator Fred McNair as interim head coach. The team had yet to record a win heading into the Bayou Classic.
1. Tenure and Challenges at Southern
Graves’ tenure began with high expectations, particularly following a championship-winning season that elevated the program’s profile. His initial success generated optimism among fans and alumni alike. However, the Jaguars struggled to maintain consistency in 2025. Losses to key conference opponents exposed weaknesses in both offensive and defensive execution, contributing to mounting pressure on the coaching staff. Graves’ experience in multiple coaching roles—assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach—highlighted his versatility but also underscored the high demands of leading a competitive HBCU program. The midseason firing reflected the broader challenges Southern faced in sustaining success after a standout campaign, illustrating the volatility that can accompany coaching transitions at historically dominant programs.
2. Settlement and Future Role
The $250,000 payout for October through December fulfills the remainder of Graves’ contractual obligations as head coach. The settlement ensures financial continuity while formally ending his tenure at the top of the program. Starting in January, Graves will assume a university role with a $75,000 annual salary. While details of his position remain unspecified, the move signals Southern’s intent to retain his expertise within the institution in a different capacity. This transition demonstrates a common approach in collegiate athletics, where former head coaches can remain on staff in administrative or coaching support roles following separation agreements. For Graves, the arrangement provides stability and continuity while allowing the program to pursue new leadership to address on-field performance concerns.
3. Program Reset and Leadership Changes
Southern University is now preparing for a new chapter under Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, who is expected to take over head coaching duties. An official announcement is anticipated soon. Faulk’s appointment represents a high-profile effort to restore Southern’s prominence in HBCU football. The historically successful Jaguars are seeking a strategic reset to return to championship contention. Fred McNair’s interim tenure has provided continuity in the short term, but the program’s long-term vision centers on revitalizing the roster and coaching structure under Faulk’s leadership. This leadership shift marks a clear attempt to combine proven coaching pedigree with renewed organizational focus, aiming to reestablish Southern as a top competitor within the SWAC and broader HBCU landscape.