Gerald Harrison is in his 12th season as a member of the South Carolina State football staff. After leading resurgence in the Bulldog rushing attack in 2005, Harrison switched to defense in 2006 where he worked with the defensive line, coaching the SC State tackles. The Bulldog alumnus also serves as the director of football operations and pro liaison for the Bulldogs.
During his tenure with the Bulldog offense, SC State continued to be one of the top rushing teams in the Southeast. Highlighting Harrison’s work was the development of former Bulldog running back DeShawn Baker, an All-American rusher and the 2006 MEAC Player of the Year.
Under Harrison’s watchful eye in 2005, Baker became just the second SCSU running back in nearly a decade to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Baker finished his career second on the career rushing list with over 3,700 yards in 2006.
In 2014, he helped coach one of the best defensive lineman to play for SC State in Javon Hargrave. Hargrave had a stellar year leading the nation in tackles for loss (23.5/2.3 per game) and finishing second in sacks (16/1.5 per game). He was ranked #1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in sacks and tackles for loss and finished with 55 tackles, eight (8) quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. Hargrave broke the school record for sacks in the game, while tying the FCS Division I-AA National and MEAC Record with his six sack performance against #14 nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman.
Harrison brought a wealth of experience and football knowledge to Orangeburg following a successful 28-year high school coaching career in which he was highly regarded by coaches throughout the state of South Carolina.
Before coming to SC State, Harrison spent six seasons as the head coach at Darlington High School in Darlington, S.C. He has also enjoyed coaching stints at Mayo High School in Darlington, as well as two seasons at St. Stephen High School in St. Stephen, S.C.
Harrison earned a bachelor’s at SC State in 1974, and also holds a master’s from the institution. He and his wife, Dr. Valerie Harrison, are the proud parents of two children – son Gerald Jr. and daughter Gerrin.
