EAST LANSING - Gideon Smith, Michigan State University’s first black athlete, is on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.
Smith is listed under the Divisional Coaching Candidate category for his career at Hampton University, where he coached from 1921-40. He led Pirates to the 1922 Black College National Championship and recorded four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles and two unbeaten seasons in his coaching career. Smith remains the longest-tenured coach and second all-time in wins in Hampton history.
Former Spartans Morten Andersen, Lorenzo White, Darryl Rogers also are once again on the ballot as FBS players.