Ben Blacknall is entering his second season as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bulldogs. Blacknall, who spent four seasons as the head coach at Delaware State from 2000-2003, is also charged with organizing and leading the annual golf tournament held as a summer fund-raiser for the Alabama A&M athletics department.

While the head coach at Delaware State, he led the Hornets to a 20-25 record before leaving coaching for the business world.  In 2000, he was named MEAC Coach of the Year. His appointment on "The Hill," is his return to the coaching ranks.

A year ago, he led the Bulldog defensive line, which was a unit that led the SWAC in sacks. Kevin Lockhart was also named to several postseason accolade teams, including third-team All-America status.

Blacknall earned a Bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T in 1975 and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame.

He is no stranger to head coach Anthony Jones. Jones and Blacknall have shared numerous other coaching destinations. Blacknall's coaching stops include North Carolina A&T (1972-76), South Carolina State (1977-78; 1989-98), Wichita State (1979-83), Howard (1984-88), and Morehouse (1999).

Coach Blacknall has a natural ability to communicate and easily carry a conversation, whether that be with a top-notch recruit and his family, or at an alumni event. This ability to relate to many types of constituencies makes Blacknall a perfect fit as the Bulldogs' recruiting coordinator. He replaces Jay Martin in that role as Martin now also serves as A&M's head baseball coach, as well as linebackers coach.