Football: Booker T. promotes assistant

Che’ Jacobs, a Booker T. Washington assistant for the past six seasons, has been named the Bookers’ new head football coach.

Jacobs replaces Ron Bolton, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Delaware State after going 8-12 over two seasons.

Jacobs, who played for the Bookers from 1989-91, currently teaches at the school.

“We feel like he knows the kids and the kids know him,” said Booker T. Washington athletic director Tim Haynes, who received more than 30 applications for the job. “And we decided to give him a shot and let him prove himself.”

Jacobs, 35, said he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m so honored to be the head coach at Booker T. Washington, along with the history and tradition that comes along with being the head coach,” he said. “I want to bring that winning tradition back to Booker T. Washington.”

The Bookers haven’t had a winning season since 2003, and they’ve gone 20-31 since then.

Jacobs has served as the head boys track coach the last six seasons, leading the Bookers to won three district indoor and three district outdoor titles. He hopes to have the same success on the gridiron.

“I think I can,” Jacobs said. “I got the respect from all the boys in the school.”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com