Currently 5th On Program's All-Time Seasons Coached List (5)
Currently 8th On Program's All-Time Wins List (9)
Currently 13th On Program's All-Time Winning Percentage List (17.4%)
Vincent Dancy took over the helm of Mississippi Valley State University’s football program January 2018. He is 17th head football coach to lead the Delta Devils. Prior to assuming his new role, he served as MVSU football’s defensive coordinator since Feb. 2015 before being appointed to the interim head coach role in November 2017.
“I remain committed to building a championship program for the players, alumni, faculty, staff and fans of Mississippi Valley State University,” said Dancy. “We have recruited quite a few football athletes from the state of Mississippi and the surrounding corridors of the state. My staff and I are filling the gaps in those areas that we were missing as it relates to player personnel, and meeting with our alumni chapters and community stakeholders to reconnect and assist us in restoring our brand from the glory days of Delta Devil football.”
Under Dancy’s tutelage, several Delta Devils have earned recognition on the gridiron. Jerry Garner, a Spring 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Defensive Lineman, was recognized in the fall of 2020 as a first team member of the Phil Steetle & draftscout.com FCS Preseason All-Conference Team along with teammate defensive lineman Eric Powell (Coaling, CA) receiving second team honors.
Spring 2020 saw Valley senior defensive lineman Bryant Jones (Riverside, CA) being offered an invitation to The Los Angeles Rams rookie minicamp. Jones played four seasons for the Delta Devils, beginning in 2015. In his college career he registered 164 tackles, 21 for loss and three sacks. Jones was listed on the Rams’ active roster as a defensive tackle for the 2020 NFL season.
SWAC All-Conference linebacker Tracy Thompkins (Miami, FL) led Mississippi Valley State defense recording 107 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and pass breakups, two fumble recovery, one sack and an interception in 2019. The senior from Miami, Florida led the SWAC in three categories; tackles (9.7), forced fumbles (.30), and solo tackles (6.1). He was third in fumbles recovered and fourth in tackles for a loss. Amongst the NCAA FCS Thompkins was sixth in solo tackles and 15th in the nation in total tackles. He was a finalist for The C Spire Conerly Trophy awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the state of Mississippi.
In 2018, through his first nine games, Booker Chambers (Greenwood, MS) averaged 8.6 yards per carry and ran for three touchdowns and 265 yards He also caught 41 passes for 554 yards and four touchdowns, and averaged 23 yards per punt return and 25.3 yards on kickoff, with two punt returns for touchdowns. Chambers earned a spot on the All-SWAC First Team as a return specialist and earned Second Team honors as a receiver to end his career at the Valley. Chambers, the former SWAC Freshman of the Year, was also a finalist for The C Spire Conerly Trophy Award in 2018
Delta Devils wide receiver Quinn McElfresh (Brainerd, MN) finished his senior season in 2018 with 31 receptions for 246 yards and two touchdowns – bringing his MVSU career total to 88 receptions, 1,135 total yards, and seven touchdowns. The former SWAC Newcomer of the Year and All-SWAC Conference wide receiver, McElfresh completed his Valley career by accepting invitations to The FCS National Bowl and the 2019 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.
In 2014, Dancy was the defensive coordinator for Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. The Lions defense finished 9th in Division II National Ranking in pass defense, in the school’s first year of football in 50 years.
Prior to his one year stint at Paine, Dancy spent four years at Jackson State University, 2009-2013, coaching the outside linebackers as a graduate assistant before he became the fulltime safeties coach. In 2012 Jackson State’s secondary led the conference in takeaways with 10 INTs. They were also ranked #1 in total defense several years.
Dancy graduated from Jackson State, where he was also a standout student-athlete. A four year letterman in football, Dancy was an All-SWAC performer at linebacker and safety.
Dancy, obtain his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2006. He earned a master’s in 2008 from West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, in Counseling and Psychology and as graduate assistant (Jackson State) he earned a second master’s in Physical Education.
He is a native of Shuqualak, Mississippi and the son of Mississippi Valley State University alumnus Willie Dancy ‘74 and Evelyn Murray.
