On and off the field, it’s always game time for football coach and A&T alum Connell Maynor.

Maynor is the head football coach at Winston-Salem State University where he has led the Rams to a 35-4 overall record and a 22-2 CIAA record. Under his leadership, the team has made a host of appearances in the playoffs such as NCAA DII, NCAA Semi-Final and a NCAA DII national championship. Maynor has had the pleasure of capturing the HBCU National Football Champions back to back in 2011 and 2012.

The former North Carolina A&T State University student-athlete has been heavily invested in the football world since he was in the eighth grade. After collegiate football, Maynor played in the Arena Football League from 1993 to 2005 and then began coaching in 2006.

Other than playing in championships Maynor says, “the highlight of my football career was probably getting a part in Remember the Titans and Any Given Sunday as the quarterback.”

Maynor acknowledges how lucky he is to still be a part of the game for so long.

“A lot of guys don’t play after college and they miss it. Now I’m coaching so game day to me is just the same as when I played,” he said.

A&T played a substantial role in his development as a football player. His fondest memory was winning the championship in 1991.

The coach teaches his team to always, “put the same time off the field as you do on the field.” He wants to be a leader and father figure to the young men in his program. He is committed to encouraging his student-athletes to improve their academic records by holding at least a 2.5 GPA.

“The NFL is the greatest temporary job you can have if you’re fortunate enough to have it and the average lifespan is only four years,” the coach said. Maynor wants his team to be able to attend graduate school in light of the uncertainty of the football profession.

Maynor has been married for 17 years and has a daughter. His goal is to “coach as hard as he can while he can.”

“I just want to compete,” he says.