UPDATED: Benedict’s Berry to succeed Pough; SCSU alum Cochran to be new AD

“I am confident that we have hired great additions to the team,” Conyers said at the board of trustees meeting. “I look forward to working with each of these great coaches, former coaches and now athletics director. I look forward to their families joining them here in Orangeburg as well.”

Berry recently spent four years as the head coach at Benedict College in Columbia. In his last two years, he led the Tigers to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and consecutive SIAC championships. Benedict advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs the last two seasons.

Benedict President Clark Artis congratulated Berry on Facebook Thursday.

“It is with a mixture of sadness and pride that I congratulate Chennis Berry on his decision to become the head coach of our DI sister-HBCU, SCSU,” Artis wrote. “(Chennis) built a winning football program at Benedict College. He made history and broke records on and off the field. I am proud of what was accomplished during his tenure. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his impact on the young men he coached, the staff he mentored and the institution he served with pride and integrity.”

Prior to Benedict, Berry spent a number of years as an assistant at multiple HBCUs, being the offensive coordinator at Morgan State, North Carolina A&T and Howard.

“Certainly we are thrilled to be able to hire the caliber of coach that we were able to announce today,” Conyers said. “His background as a coach has been phenomenal with experience in MEAC, SIAC and other Division I HBCUs. We are also equally impressed with his ability to not just win football games, but change the lives of young men … to motivate and inspire.”

Berry will take over for Buddy Pough, who announced in August that the 2023 season would be his last as head coach of the Bulldogs. Pough spent 22 seasons leading the Bulldog program, amassing 151 wins.

When Pough was asked about Berry, he commented on the great pedigree he has as an offensive coach, and his leadership ability proven on that side of the ball. He also said what he’s been able to do over the last two years at Benedict has been remarkable.

While the Bulldog football team filled a position on the field, the athletics department will be getting new blood as well with the hiring of Nathan Cochran.

Cochran is a former South Carolina State football player under Willie Jeffries for two seasons. In 1998, he earned the team’s academic achievement award and graduated with a degree in mathematics in 2000.

He spent the last year as the vice president of athletics and athletics director at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. He has nearly 20 years of experience as a collegiate administrator and football and track and field coach.

Cochran was able to talk with Conyers and the board via a Zoom meeting Thursday.

“Thank you so much for having me and wife on,” Cochran said. “We are so excited to return to South Carolina State, and we’re just ready to rejoin the Bulldog family. I’m elated, this is a dream come true for me. We are looking forward to building our program up and returning us to the greatness that I remember.”

As of Friday, neither contract had been finalized by the board of trustees. Berry is scheduled to have an introductory press conference next week while Cochran takes over the duties of AD later in the month.