Clarion-Ledger halts beat coverage of JSU sports

Jackson State athletic department has not allowed media access to football players or assistant coaches for the third consecutive week, prompting The Clarion-Ledger to cease day-to-day beat coverage of Jackson State athletics until the situation can be resolved.

“This kind of restriction keeps a reporter from properly doing his or her job,” Sports Editor David Bean said. “Our hope is that this situation will be rectified promptly, and we are able to continue covering the Jackson State football team as it should be covered.”

As per the athletic department’s own policy, assistant coaches and players had been available to speak with the working media — newspapers and local television stations — before practices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Since former coach Harold Jackson was fired on Oct. 6, the school has not made JSU football assistant coaches or players available, with the exception being after Saturday’s Alabama A&M game.

Interim coach Derrick McCall is the only member of the football program who is available to the media throughout the week, which leaves the perspective of the team to be told through one person’s point of view.

Last week, the university stated mid-term exams as the reason for the lack of access. A “coach’s decision” was the reason given for the action on Monday.

Bean sent an email to JSU interim athletic director Wheeler Brown Monday seeking an explanation on the department’s actions and requesting to meet to discuss a better relationship going forward.

Executive Editor Sam R. Hall said he fully supports the decision.

"The actions of JSU are dumbfounding," Hall said. "We've never faced this issue with any of the other schools we cover. We've been through coaching changes, NCAA investigations, losing streaks, you name it, and the schools have always acted professionally and within the bounds of our normal agreements."

Until the situation regarding media access can be rectified with the JSU athletic department, the Jackson State athletics reporter position will remain vacant. Sports reporter Antonio Morales will move to different areas of coverage, including other SWAC schools.

UPDATE: Jackson State released a response to The Clarion-Ledger decision around 8:45 p.m. Monday:

The Jackson State University Division of Athletics appreciates the coverage that it receives from the Clarion Ledger. Jackson State has allowed more than adequate access to the Clarion Ledger over the years and we look forward to a continuation of this productive relationship as we move forward through the years.

​Previous football coaches have had open and closed practices at various times throughout the seasons. In addition, each of the last two prior coaches decided if and when they wanted assistant coaches and/or players to be accessible to the media during the week of practice. The decision to have open or closed practice, as determined by the head coach, is not limited to the football program. All JSU head coaches have the right to make that decision and have traditionally made those calls.

The decision to close football practice and to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media throughout the week was not undertaken lightly and is done in respect to the JSU football program, the coaches, players and to local and regional media outlets.

​JSU football practice has been closed since the first week of this season. We decided to not make assistant coaches and players available to the media for the last two weeks so that the team can adjust to and work with the new coach on putting a quality product on the field - without too many outside influences.

During recent interviews coach McCall has not avoided answering any questions about the football team and been very open and honest about the state of the team. Following his first game as interim head coach, McCall and the players that were requested by the beat writer in attendance, were made available after a 10 minute cooling off period. While serving as head coach, McCall will be the main voice of the Tigers football program.

Coach McCall will continue to make himself available to talk to media members. Thank you for your interest and support of JSU athletics.