Cedric Pearl was named Allen University's head football coach on December 15, 2023. He is entering his second season leading the Yellow Jackets in 2025.
He arrived at Allen after serving as the defensive line coach at Alabama A&M University for two seasons. Prior to his stop in Huntsville, A.L., Pearl had a pair of stops in the SIAC.
From 2019-2021, he served as the offensive coordinator at Miles College and helped lead the Golden Bears to the 2021 SIAC Western Division Championship.
From 2014-2019, Pearl was the head coach at Central State University where he led the Marauders to historic heights. During his five-year stint, Pearl led CSU to their first victory over an FCS team in a decade, their best winning percentage in nearly twenty years, and a top-25 preseason ranking for the first time since CSU brought back their football program in 2004. The Maraduers saw three student-athletes received All-American honors and 25 student-athletes selected to the All-SIAC teams during Pearl’s tenure including offensive, defensive, and spcial teams positions. Additionally, 11 student-athletes were named to various All-Region teams.
Before taking over at Central State, Pearl had the first of his two stints at Alabama A&M from 2002-2014. In these twelve years, Pearl served as the offensive line coach from 2006-2013, and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2007. During his tenure at Alabama A&M, the program won 5 SWAC Eastern Division titles and a SWAC Championship in 2006 while his offense led the SWAC in scoring and total offense in 2007. Also, for ten consecutive seasons, Alabama A&M produced at least one All-SWAC First Team offensive lineman under Pearl’s guidance. He also served as the Bulldogs’ interim head coach in 2014.
Pearl’s coaching career also includes stops as an assistant coach at Morehouse College (2001-2002), Morris Brown College (1996-2000), and Tuskegee University (1994-95). Pearl also has experience at the professional level as in 2005 he served as an offensive intern with the NFL’s New York Jets, and then in 2006 he served as an offensive intern with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. His coaching career began as a graduate assistant coach at Tuskegee University in 1993 following a standout playing career for the Golden Tigers. Pearl received his Bachelor’s degree in social work in 1992, and later his Master’s degree in counseling and student development in 1995. As a member of the Golden Tiger football team, Pearl was a three-time All-SIAC selection with an Honorable Mention in 1989, a second team selection in 1990, and a First Team selection in 1991. In 2020, Pearl was inducted in the Tuskegee University Athletics Hall of Fame. Pearl and his wife Danita have a daughter, Shanice.
"I commend our administration for their tireless effort to identify the best fit for the football team and the university," commented President Ernest McNealey on the coaching selection. "Coach Pearl was one of only a few prospects presented to me for consideration and prior to the conclusion of the interview, it was abundantly clear that the AD had found the right coach. We welcome Coach Pearl and his wife to the AU Family and look forward to a successful tenure."
