Southern University Athletics named Coach Terrence Graves as the 21st Head Coach of the Southern Jaguars Football program on December 13, 2023.
A 31-year veteran in collegiate football and is entering his second season as head coach and fourth year on the bluff.
Coach Graves led Southern to an 8-5 overall record and 7-1 SWAC record during the 2024 season. Capturing the 2024 SWAC Western Division Championship and their ninth appearance in the SWAC Championship Game.
The Jaguars finished first nationally in the FCS statistics in team tackles for a loss at 8.3 per game, fourth in 3rd down conversion pct defense 0.287, fifth in passing yards allowed 152.3, sixth in time of possession 32:44, ninth in total defense 298.1 and ninth in team passing efficiency defense 112.55. Ckelby Givens was named the 2024 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, lead the nation in tackles for loss (26.5) and was eighth in sacks.
He previously served as Interim Head Coach for the 50th Bayou Classic and prior to that he was the Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach.
He has the distinction as the only coach to serve as the Interim Head Coach for both Grambling State and Southern in the Bayou Classic and led both schools to victory.
Before coming to Southern, Graves was the Interim Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach at Grambling State.
Prior to his arrival at Grambling, Graves spent four years at Mississippi Valley State University as the Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach. The Norfolk, Va., native later became the Pass Defensive Coordinator in 2012- 2014. In 2013, Graves would later serve as the Interim Head Football Coach at the end of the season. During his stint at MVSU, Graves was instrumental in constructing some of the best defenses in the SWAC and NCAA. MVSU was ranked No. 1 SWAC and No. 4 nationally in total defense. They also led the SWAC and NCAA in tackles for loss. In 2013, MVSU led the SWAC in interceptions and finished eighth the NCAA.
Prior to his time at MVSU, Graves spent 15 years at Southern University under the legendary Coach Pete Richardson. During his time with the Jaguars, he assisted the team with three SWAC Championships and four HBCU National Championships. He was the Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2000-2002. In 2001, Southern led the SWAC in total defense and scoring defense and also led the NCAA in turnovers. The football program also finished eighth nationally in total defense. From 2005- 2009, Graves served as the Defensive Coordinator at Southern. In 2009, the Jaguars’ defense led the SWAC in turnover margin and ranked number No. 2 nationally. In 2007, Graves led Southern to a NCAA Top 25 Defense, which led the SWAC in pass defense efficiency.
In 2003, Graves served as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Norfolk State, where he coached All-MEAC 1st Team and FCS All-American linebacker Kevin Talley. Talley still holds the NCAA record in tackles in a single season (195). That same year, Graves’ defense led the MEAC in pass defense and was ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
Graves played as a true freshman at Wake Forest University before transferring to Winston-Salem State University, where he was a part of two CIAA Conference Championships (1990 and1991). He was an HBCU Pre-season All-American and a 1st Team All-CIAA Defensive Back in 1992. He finished No. 2 in the conference and No. 5 nationally in interceptions. He finished his career with 12 interceptions. He is a 1994 graduate of Winston-Salem State University. He earned a degree in Political Science/History.
Coach Graves has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1995. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is also a member of Garden of Prayer Worship Center COGIC.
He is a proud father to China, his daughter, and a grandfather of two grandchildren.
COACHING CAREER:
1993: Winston-Salem State (Defensive Backs Coach)
1994-95: Southern (Graduate Assistant)
1996-99: Southern (Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach)
2000-02: Southern (Co-Defensive Coordinator)
2003: Norfolk State University (Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach)
2004-09: Southern (Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach)
2010-13: Mississippi Valley State (Associate Head Coach / Linebackers Coach)
2013: Mississippi Valley State (Interim Head Coach)
2014-21: Grambling State (Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach)
2021: Grambling State (Interim Head Coach)
2022-23: Southern (Associate Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach)
2023: Southern (Interim Head Coach)
2024: Southern (Head Coach)
