St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh (NC) opens its 2023 CIAA football schedule in two weeks with NFL alums in both the athletic director and head coaching positions.
Howard Feggins, who was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Patriots in 1988, was named head coach at the private, historically black St. Augustine’s five months ago. He is a veteran high school head coach and collegiate assistant. Feggins, 58, was the offensive coordinator the last six seasons at nearby Fayetteville State (NC).
Feggins primarily was recruited to St. Augustine’s by Lin Dawson, a former Patriots teammate and now Athletic Director at the school. Dawson spent the decade of the 1980s as an outstanding Patriots tight end and his time in New England overlapped Feggins’ brief Patriots career.
Dawson has spent the last 30 years in athletic administration and corporate training. He most recently was Director of Athletics at Clark Atlanta University from 2015-22 before moving to St. Augustine’s. Dr. Dawson has both a PhD in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in Human Resource Management.
“I have dedicated my life to creating positive academic experiences for students,” Dr. Dawson said recently. “My appointment here at St. Augustine’s provides me with another opportunity to serve as a mentor and leader for students on the university level.”
Feggins, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, is looking forward to his initial season in charge of a collegiate program. He was named head coach at St. Augustine’s in March, 2023.
“I am excited to show our young men, if they give me all their effort, that we have an opportunity to win,” Coach Feggins says. “Dr. Dawson and President (Christine Johnson) McPhail are very supportive of the growth and direction of our football program.”
We at NFL Alumni always are pleased when one of our brothers is hired as either a college head coach or athletic director. We are confident that the Dawson-Feggins team at St. Augustine’s will benefit the young students both in the classroom and on the field. Go Falcons!
