Bethune-Cookman pledges $10 million in campus improvements, gives update on coaching search

Bethune-Cookman University's interim president on Tuesday pledged $10 million to upgrade campus buildings, some of which were damaged during tropical storms Ian and Nicole last fall, following a student protest.

Lawrence Drake also said the school was moving rapidly toward a conclusion in its search for a head football coach. The coaching search and the facilities issues are linked because of a viral video posted on Instagram Live by Ed Reed, a Hall of Fame player who had been named B-CU's coach on Dec. 27.

Using profanities, Reed ranted about the condition of the Daytona Beach campus. In the days following, the university announced it would not ratify Reed's contract and would look for another coach.

At an on-campus protest Jan. 23, students complained of mold in residence halls, showers and faucets lacking hot water and broken air-conditioning.

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In a news release, Drake said school officials are meeting with students and surveying more than 100 facilities across the campus.

“The last several days have delivered major challenges to our university, our athletes and all who love Bethune-Cookman University,” Drake said.  “These moments have also presented us with significant opportunities to address long-standing campus needs and revamp our prized athletic program.”

Drake said plans to spend approximately $10 million on "immediate campus infrastructure needs" have been in the planning stages for months. Buildings will be assessed for their fitness and whether renovation or demolition might be in order. The school said the survey will also cover "possible new facilities to better serve its students."

In a letter posted on the school's website, Drake said B-CU has hired CTG Construction, an Orlando-based firm "with extensive HBCU campus experience," Sodexo and other environmental and architectural firms to help with the survey.

The process, Drake wrote, is expected to take until late summer or the start of the 2023-2024 academic year to be completed.

In the news release, Drake made reference to B-CU's history as a school started by Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of former slaves, whose vision led to an institution that has delivered education to thousands of students for nearly 120 years.

Search for head football coach

Drake stated the university will sign a new head football coach "within the next week." Its hiring committee reviewed more than 50 applicants since parting with Reed on Jan. 21.

Before Bethune-Cookman came to an agreement in principle with Reed in December, it received more than 100 resumes for the vacant position. Athletic Director Reggie Theus narrowed the search down to two lists — a short list that included Reed and two other big-name coaches and a secondary list. Reed was chosen because of his football pedigree, past community involvement and ability to excite the players, fan base and potential donors.

Drake commented on the current candidate pool in Wednesday's news release.

“Many of these candidates possess not only knowledge of the game and the ability to assist in raising funds for our program, but they also have the discipline needed to represent our university and embody our values,” he said. “Our next coach will bring the skills required to mold our student-athletes into successful young men both on and off the field.”

Last week, Drake, Theus and the football team held a reconciliation meeting after Reed's departure and the resulting backlash from the Wildcat players. Drake added a player to the search committee and brought one of the top candidates to campus so a couple of teammates could interview him.

At the meeting, Theus said plans are already underway for an on-campus practice field and a $3 million renovation of the locker rooms at Daytona Stadium.

"You will have those two things by August," Theus told the team. "You can hold myself and President Drake accountable for that."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: B-CU pledges $10M campus upgrade after student protest, Ed Reed rant