Lonnie Blow Jr. to leave Falcon’s Nest

Lonnie Blow Jr. to leave Falcon’s Nest

Saint Augustine’s College championship men’s basketball coach announces resignation

July 8, 2010
 
Raleigh, N.C. – More than two years ago, Coach Lonnie Blow Jr. arrived on the campus of Saint Augustine’s College. He would build a formidable athletic machine in the men’s basketball program which brought home western division titles and ultimately, the school’s first CIAA conference championship in 13 years. A winning legacy was re-birthed at Saint Augustine’s College. Now the college must continue that legacy without Blow.
 
The 2010 CIAA Coach of the Year has resigned as the head men’s basketball coach at Saint Augustine’s College. Blow has accepted a position as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., a Division I institution. Saint Augustine’s College Athletic Director George Williams said news of Blow’s departure was not expected, but it was also not a surprise that the championship coach would be hotly sought after by Division I schools.
 
“Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of being a winning program,” Williams said.  “Coach Blow has done a phenomenal job leading our men’s basketball program. He will be missed, but I’m confident that the foundation he built upon will continue to support a winning program.” 
 
For Blow, the decision to leave Saint Augustine’s College was not an easy one, but an offer from ODU presented an opportunity for the Virginia native to return home to reunite with family as well as be a part of a stellar program on which he could have a great impact.
 
“What a great experience this has been. I’ve become a better athletic professional during my time here at Saint Augustine’s College,” Blow said. “Opportunities such as these don’t come around but so often in a lifetime. I’m confident that this is the right time for me to take the next step up for both myself and for my family.”
 
Coach Blow’s resignation comes less than two weeks after the resignation of the women’s head basketball coach.  Margaret Richards left Saint Augustine’s College to become an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I University of North Texas.
 
A national search will begin immediately for Blow’s successor. Until a replacement is found, assistant coach MarQus Johnson will be the acting head coach.