Mercer University, Bobby Lamb Part w\Ways

Nov 26

Mercer University, Bobby Lamb Part Ways

After 7 seasons of leading the Mercer University Bears as head coach, Mercer decided to go in a different direction after Athletic Director Jim Cole announced on Sunday that Bobby Lamb would no longer be Mercer’s Head Football Coach.

As Mercer ended the 2019 season, Lamb was responsible for a record of 41-39 over 7 seasons since the bears began football again. While the record does not depict a great deal of success, Lamb’s ability to restarting a program speaks volumes in his efforts as a head coach. With no playoff appearances in the 7 seasons, the success can be measured in the relationships and impact that he created for his players. Many of Mercer University’s current and former players and staff members took to Twitter to share their sentiments for the recent news.

In 2013, the program’s first year back from a hiatus, they saw a great deal of success under Lamb going 10-2 and being one game away from the NCAA playoffs. Since then the Bears saw limited success with a 5-6 or 6-5 record in 5 out of the 7 seasons. As a new program, Lamb created a good foundation and was able to establish Mercer as a legitimate program. As Mercer looks to go in a different direction, the potential that they have is there.

This season, the Mercer Bears showed their worst record to date by posting a 3-8 record and 3-5 in the conference. Injuries depleted the team for much of the season and a lack of consistency made the season a tough battle. After losing to East Tennessee State, the only winless team in the conference, Mercer felt that the season could not be reclaimed.

With Kennesaw State being the only other FCS competitor in-state, the ability to recruit will continue to be there for the new staff. However, a new staff must work extremely hard to pick up where Lamb left off in regards to recruiting. The Lamb name is heavily involved within the coaching world including Lamb’s brother and nephew being coaches at Calhoun High School in Georgia and FCS program Tennessee Tech respectively. With such a strong tie to the football world, Lamb will surely have an opportunity to stay heavily involved, but for now, Mercer will be continuing their coaching search and bring someone in that can create a winning culture in a still-young program.

-By: LeMarkus Bailey