Smith to huddle on hiring new coach

Johnson C. Smith officials will meet later this week to decide when and how to replace former football coach Daryl McNeill, who was fired last week.

Golden Bulls athletics director Steve Joyner said Tuesday that McNeill was "informed he would be replaced" following Smith's season-ending 62-35 loss against Shaw. The Bulls, who were 3-7 this season season, were 10-28 in four seasons under McNeill. Following a winless season in 2005, McNeill led the Bulls to a 7-4 mark in 2006. He also was Smith's coach in 1995 and '96.

Joyner wouldn't discuss specifics of the firing of McNeill, who was also associate athletics director.

"We made a decision to seek new leadership in the football program," Joyner said.

McNeill, citing a confidentiality agreement in his contract, would not comment.

- David Scott