Byron Douglas Thweatt says becoming the head football coach at Virginia State University is “like coming home.”

Thweatt, who was formally announced as the Trojans’ coach Jan. 8, grew up practically in the shadows of the Rogers Stadium goal posts.

“My mother is a VSU grad. My grand- mother is, too, along with a host of cousins, uncles and aunts,” he explained.

His father also attended VSU for two years but did not graduate.

“He left after two years to go to work — when I came along,” he explains.

In Ettrick, Thweatt succeeds Latrell Scott, who was 19-5 in two seasons before resigning in December to become Norfolk State University’s coach.

Always a Trojans’ fan, Thweatt now will be the Trojans’ main man on the sidelines, succeeding his close friend and former coaching boss, Scott, under whom he served as an assistant in 2010 at the University of Richmond.

Scott invited Thweatt to join his VSU staff in 2013, but Thweatt declined.

“But as soon as I saw coach Scott was going to Norfolk, I applied for the job here,” said Thweatt.

“I’ve groomed myself for this for eight years. It’s finally arrived.”

VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis said Thweatt impressed the search committee members with more than just his football knowledge.

“Byron is part of VSU,” said Ms. Da- vis, noting his family connection with the university. “We chose Byron because of his character and his leadership skills.”

The eldest son of Janet and Fred Thweatt, who still reside in southern Chesterfield, was born March 21, 1977, at Petersburg General Hospital.

As a youngster, Thweatt attended VSU football games, just minutes from his home, and even had his hair cut at the University Barber Shop on campus.

He would enjoy gridiron fame at Matoaca High School, where he was an All-State Group AA running back/linebacker and among the state’s most recruited athletes.

As a four-year regular at the University of Virginia from 1997 to 2000, he was a team captain, All-ACC linebacker and lead- ing tackler as a junior and senior

under coach George Welsh.

In Charlottesville, he started 47 straight games, a Cavaliers record for linebackers, with 387 career tackles.

Pro ball beckoned for the muscular 6-foot-tall, 230-pound Thweatt. In 2001, Thweatt played five games with the NFL Tennessee Titans. He also spent time on Tampa Bay’s practice squad and competed in NFL Europe for Berlin, Germany.

After one season as a graduate assistant

coach at U.Va. in 2006, Thweatt joined the coaching staff at the University of Richmond. He has been an assistant coach at UR for the last eight seasons under coaches Dave Clawson, Mike London, Scott, Wayne Lineburg and, most recently, Danny Rocco.

In 2009, UR won the FCS national title. In 2008, the Spiders were national semifinalists. UR made the FCS playoffs in four of Thweatt’s eight campaigns.

This past season, the Spiders made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs with Thweatt serving as linebackers coach and director of high school relations.

“I did a lot of recruiting while also helping organize the youth camps and clin- ics,” Thweatt explained. “Because of that, I know many of the high school coaches around Richmond, in Tidewater, Northern Virginia, all over the state and also in D.C. I think I’ve made a name for myself (as a recruiter). I’ve left a good footprint.”

Students from the District of Columbia — another hotbed for talent — are entitled to in-state tuition at VSU.

Coach Scott leaves his buddy with a challenging act to follow.

The Trojans were 15-0 under Scott in CIAA play. VSU won the CIAA confer- ence title this past fall and then tacked on the program’s first NCAA Division II playoff win.

“The foundation is set,” said Thweatt. “Now I’m planning to continue — full steam ahead.”

He inherits a returning roster featuring quarterback Tarian Ayres (2,132 aerial yards), tailback Kavon Bellamy (18 touchdowns), receiver Jaivon Smallwood (59 catches, seven touchdowns) and two- time, All-CIAA center Ronnie Ransome (from Thweatt’s alma mater, Matoaca High School).

On the subject of recruiting, Thweatt says, “In Division II, you have to wait and see who the Division I schools sign — then you go for the best of the rest.”

Like Scott, Thweatt says he also will be on the lookout for Division I transfers. Quarterback Justin Thorpe and tailback Jordan Anderson transferred from James Madison University to VSU in 2013 and provided a huge lift in Scott’s first season.

Thweatt will have no input on scheduling until 2017. The 2015 and 2016 slates are set.

In 2017, VSU and Norfolk State University will renew the Labor Day Classic as a season opener for both teams.