2017 was not going well for the Hornets. Alabama State opened the season with five straight losses which lead to the firing of former head coach Brian Jenkins. Donald Hill-Eley was promoted to interim and given the task of just finding a way to give the Hornets a serviceable finish.
He did more than that.
No team finished the season hotter in the SWAC than Alabama State who won five of their last six games and finished 2nd in the SWAC East division. I don’t care what level of football you are playing, having your head coach fired midseason after losing five straight then winning five of your last six is durn impressive.