GILLUS NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL 
COACH AT NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

NORFOLK, VA —Norfolk State University President Marie V. McDemmond and Athletics Director Orby Moss today announced the hiring of Norfolk State graduate and ex-Spartan football standout Willie Gillus Jr. as the school’s new football coach.

"Everything happens for a reason," Moss said. "We have a man who has passion and will represent Norfolk State well."

Gillus takes over the NSU program after serving as offensive coordinator since 1999 at Virginia Union University in Richmond. Gillus, who becomes the 15^th head football coach in Norfolk State history, also served as recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, and pro football liaison at Virginia Union. He replaces Mo Forte, who resigned in November.

"I’m excited to come back home," Gillus said. "My memories of Norfolk State are of a fun-filled stadium and winning. I can’t wait to get Norfolk State back to its winning ways."

Gillus gradated from NSU with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiotherapy in 1988. He quarterbacked the Spartans from 1982-85, and is third on the school’s all-time list in passing yardage and fifth in total yardage. For his career, Gillus completed 240 of his 541 passes for 3,740 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was also an instrumental part of the 1984 team that set an NSU single-season record for wins, finishing 10-2, winning the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title and gaining an NCAA Division II playoff berth.

"I can relate to the players here," Gillus said. "I’ve gone through some of the same things they go through."

After graduating from Norfolk State, Gillus was a member of the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 strike season.. Gillus played for five seasons in the Canadian Football League. He played one season with the British Columbia Lions that were runners-up for the coveted Grey Cup in 1988 and four with the Toronto Argonauts, who won the Grey Cup in 1991.

After leaving pro football, Gillus began a successful coaching career at Surry County High School in Surry County, VA. In five seasons, his teams compiled a 53-12 record (.815), including the 1998 Virginia Group A Division I title. Gillus was Tri-Rivers District Coach of the Year four times and Region A Coach of the Year twice.

After his stint at Surry, Gillus joined the Virginia Union coaching staff under Head Coach Willard Bailey, who coached Gillus at NSU.

Gillus, 39, is a native of Emporia, VA. He is married to the former Amy Owens, who also graduated from Norfolk State. They have three children: Tiffany (15), Taleesa (12)

and Willie III (8).

Also on Tuesday, Gillus announced the names of three assistants who will serve on

his staff: Michael Armour, who was quarterbacks and receivers coach under Forte; and a pair of current high school coaches -- Robert Jackson of Landstown High School in Virginia Beach

and Larry Archie from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth. Archie is the son of former Spartans head football coach and athletics director William "Bill" Archie who coached at NSU from 1961-66.

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