South Carolina State is months away from playing real football games, but head coach Chennis Berry is raring to go right now.
The Bulldogs officially opened spring practice this week as the defending MEAC and HBCU national champions.
“Fun” is how Berry, in his third year at SC State, described his attitude preparing for another season — his 31st as a coach.
Berry enters his third season at the helm after leading SC State to back-to-back MEAC championships and last year’s HBCU national title.
“It seems like I just got here, but I’m having a lot of fun,” Berry told The Times & Democrat. “It’s always exciting to get out to the first practice. Overall, this is year 31 for me, but it still feels new and fresh because we have so many new players and coaches.”
New Faces, New Energy
The Bulldogs kick off the spring with 41 new players. Berry explained that the team’s recruiting strategy focused on fit. Those who have arrived on campus are already making an impact, he said.
“We look like a totally new football team compared to this time last year,” Berry said to the newspaper. “We flew around out here today, but we’re a long way from being good. That’s okay, because I feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”
VIEWS from Day 01 Practice of your 2025 HBCU NATIONAL FOOTBALL BULLDOG CHAMPIONS!!!!!!@SCStateAthletic @MEACSports @coachberry77 #PayTheFEE#DigDEEP#RaiseTheBAR#CWCW
pic.twitter.com/CnMtLH28Ze
— South Carolina State Football (@SCState_Fb) March 3, 2026
Position Battles Ahead
When asked which position groups most intrigued him, Berry didn’t hesitate.
“We have some experience returning, which helps,” he said. “I always like to see the development of the offensive line. It’s a critical position, but we’ve got great talent, a new coach, and I think we can take that group to another level.”
That includes UNC Pembroke transfer quarterback Tre Robinson, who brings starting experience and will compete for the starting job left vacant by the absence of 2025 starter William Atkins, the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Like all coaches, Berry was excited to see how the different position groups and individual players would matriculate through the next 15 scheduled practices.
“It’s the ‘next man up’ mentality,” he said.
Berry beamed about a defense he said is the deepest “we’ve been at all three levels,” indicating the rotation can go at least four-deep across the board.
“That’s what spring football is all about,” he said. “Laying the foundation for what’s to come.”
