Chenniss Berry returns to North Carolina A&T for his fifth season overall and his second season under head coach Alonzo Lee. Berry serves as the Aggies offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. In addition to coaching the Aggies offensive line, Berry is responsible for overseeing and constructing the Aggies offensive game plan.
His other duties will include being the Aggies primary play-caller on game days and recruiting the Piedmont (NC), Fayetteville, N.C., and Metro Atlanta areas. Berry brings with him an excellent reputation of developing solid offensive lines while orchestrating rushing attacks that lead to record-breaking running backs. His reputation was enhanced in 2009 when running back Mike Mayhew earned MEAC Rookie of the Year honors after a season in which he rushed for 471 yards and six touchdowns.
Over his career, Berry has also shown a willingness to expand his coaching knowledge. As part of the NFL's Minority Internship Program, Berry has interned with four different NFL teams. In 2009, he participated in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy Forum. The program prepares young minority assistant coaches for head coaching positions.
Before his return to N.C. A&T, Berry served as Morgan State's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. During Berry's time there, the Bears possessed on of the most envied running games in the MEAC. In each of his three seasons with Morgan State, the Bears' rushing offense ranked in the top 50 nationally.
Two-thousand seven marked the best year the Bears had under Berry. They led the conference in rushing with running back Chad Simpson compiling 127.5 yards per game to lead the league. Nationally, the Bears' running game was the 18th best in the nation. Simpson ranked ninth nationally, earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and first-team AFCA All-American accolades. Simpson and offensive tackle Clifford Louis benefited even more by signing NFL contracts.
Berry's first stint at N.C. A&T lasted for three years (2003-05). Over his first two seasons with the Aggies, he served as the offensive line coach. A strong running game led the Aggies to the 2003 MEAC Championship and a NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth. Six games into the 2005 season, Berry took over the Aggies offensive coordinating duties. His first game as the Aggies chief play-caller resulted in an Aggies overtime victory in which running back Brandon Sweeney rushed for 205 yards on 42 carries.
The Aggies continued their strides under Berry. For the first time in school history, three Aggies had more than 100 yards receiving in a game as Brandon Trusty, Doug Brown and Michael
Ferguson performed the feat on Nov. 5, 2005. Three weeks later, Trusty tied the school record for receptions in a game with 14. By season's end Trusty tied the school record for receptions in a season with 63.
Berry also saw two of his offensive linemen sign NFL contracts. The Green Bay Packers selected Junius Coston in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Walter Stith signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2006. Coston played in the 2005 Senior Bowl and Stith played in the 2006 Hula Bowl.
Berry began his career at Morris Brown College in Atlanta where he coached under Aggie great Joe Crosby. After one season with Morris Brown, Berry became the offensive line and tight ends coach as well as the strength and conditioning coordinator at Kentucky State under another Aggie great - George Small in 1997.
Behind Berry's strong offensive line at Kentucky State, Alvon Brown broke several school and national Division II records. Brown broke the single-season rushing record at KSU twice, and finished his career as the school's all-time leading rusher. He also rushed for 405 yards in a game on September 16, 2000, which at the time was a Division II single-game record. Berry's offensive line also helped Brown win the SIAC Player and Back of the Year awards on two occasions.
In 2001, Berry became the assistant head coach at Fort Valley State. He was responsible for coaching the Wildcats' offensive linemen and tight ends. His impact at FVSU was immediately felt as Philip Shiflet earned SIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team Sheridan All-Americans honors in 2001.
Running back Orlando Wiley rushed for more than 1,400 yards that season and was named SIAC Player of the Year. The Wildcats' running game led to a Division II playoff berth. The next year another Wildcats running back showcased his talent behind Berry's linemen. Duron Croson was named SIAC Player and Back of the year in 2002. He also led black college football in rushing and was a first-team Sheridan All-American.
