*Speculation over Morehouse College’s possible transition from Division II to Division I has reached a new level, with the HBCU’s head football coach confirming talks are in session.
ClutchPoints reports coach Terrance Mathis fueled chatter on the situation during a press conference for the HBCU NY Classic. The annual event provided the occasion for Morehouse’s game against Howard University, its Division I HBCU opponent at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Maroon Tigers suffered a loss at the hands of the Bison in the latest chapter of the historic rivalry, with a final score of 35-14.
“Yes, there has been talk about moving up, and we’re preparing ourselves for that,” Mathis said when asked about the potential move to Division I.” If that is the future of this program, we’ll be ready when it happens.”
Although he didn’t confirm nor dismiss the rumors, the one thing to get from Mathis’ comments is confirmation that talks are taking place, The remarks reinforce fans’ belief that Morehouse’s Maroon Tigers should jump ship from the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIACC) to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s (FCS) Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Instead of dwelling on the topic, Clutchpoints notes the coach’s shift in conversation to talking about his current team and their matchup against the Bison.
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The site goes on to acknowledge Morehouse’s departure from the SIAC to the MEAC as a “noteworthy transition,” as the institution served as a founding member of the SIAC in 1913 and is “arguably one of the most well-known institutions in the conference alongside Tuskegee University.”
The Maroon Tigers have been an asset to the SIAC, and a move to the MEAC would certainly further bolster the profile of that conference.
“If this move takes place, the MEAC would gain a member school in Atlanta, providing a unique advantage since the MEAC already partners with the SWAC to host events like the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Celebration Bowl in the city,” Clutchpoints noted, believing the transition would mark a win for the MEAC with an expected boost from getting Morehouse as well as an increase of the conference’s sports visibility in Atlanta and business, with the school’s name recognition driving “even more value in business transactions just as media rights negotiations.”
Despite the popularity of its brand, Morehouse has struggled ” significantly” in recent decades to maintain a competitive program, with a 1-9 record for 2023 and the firing of former Morehouse football player turned head coach Gerard Wilcher after the season.
As it stands now, the Maroon Tigers are not in a good light with starting the current season at 0-2 with losses to Edward Waters University and Johnson C. Smith. Stay tuned to see if Morehouse’s transfer to Division I becomes a reality.
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