Benton “Sport” Harold enters his fifth season as Morgan State’s tight ends and special teams coach under head coach Damon Wilson. Harold returned to Morgan State in 2022 after previously spending 19 years as a member of the Bears’ football program. A veteran coach with extensive experience on both sides of the ball and in special teams, Harold has continued to make an impact in the development of Morgan State’s tight ends and special teams units.
In 2025, Harold helped lead a special teams unit that produced several of the Bears’ biggest plays of the season. Morgan State finished the season ranked tied for 10th nationally in blocked kicks with four. The Bears delivered two of their most memorable plays of the season on blocked kicks. Against Miles College, Josiah Blake blocked a late fourth-quarter field goal attempt, allowing Jadon Carter to scoop up the ball and return it 94 yards for the game-winning touchdown in Morgan’s 24-17 victory at the Circle City Classic. Later in the season against Norfolk State, Erick Hunter returned a blocked kick 90 yards for a touchdown as the Bears earned a 35-28 MEAC victory.
Harold also helped oversee a productive return game in 2025. Return specialist Malique Leatherbury averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff return, ranking No. 31 nationally in the FCS, while averaging 19.9 yards per punt return. Leatherbury was named First Team All-MEAC as a return specialist. Punter Shane Messenger and placekicker Sahr Gbundema also earned First Team All-MEAC honors, highlighting the strength of the Bears’ special teams unit.
Harold originally joined Morgan State’s coaching staff in 1997 and became a fixture within the Bears’ athletic department. He served six years as the linebackers coach beginning in 1998 and later spent 13 years as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. During his tenure, he helped develop numerous standout special teams and tight end performers.
Prior to returning to Morgan State, Harold served as the tight ends and special teams coordinator at Alabama State. During his time with the Hornets, he coached a pair of BOXTOROW All-Americans in tight end Terrance Ellis and punter Aubrey Grace. Alabama State also produced All-SWAC return specialist Ezra Gray. In 2019, senior punter Anthony Craven earned All-America honors and was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List. The Hornets’ tight ends combined for 30 receptions in 2019 and 17 receptions in 2020.
During his previous tenure at Morgan State, Harold — known affectionately as “Sport” — guided some of the most productive special teams units in program history. In 2016, the Bears ranked 26th nationally in kickoff returns and 40th in punt returns. William King ranked fourth in the MEAC and 47th nationally in combined kick returns with 556 yards, while ranking 10th nationally and first in the MEAC in kickoff returns at 27.7 yards per return. Harold also coached kicker Alex Raya, who ranked sixth in the MEAC in field-goal percentage.
In 2015, Morgan State ranked 29th nationally in blocked punts and 43rd in kickoff return defense. The Bears also ranked third nationally and second in the MEAC in punt returns. Harold coached Andrew King, who finished fourth nationally and third in the MEAC in punt-return touchdowns.
In 2014, Harold helped guide Morgan State to national rankings in several special teams categories, including kickoff return defense, kickoff returns and punt returns. The Bears ranked 21st nationally and fourth in the MEAC in punt returns, while Orlando Johnson led the MEAC and ranked 29th nationally in combined kick returns with 703 yards.
Harold also coached kicker Chris Moller, who finished sixth in the MEAC in field goals per game. In 2013, Moller led Morgan State in scoring with 56 points and ranked fifth in the MEAC in field goals, converting 10-of-16 attempts. His redshirt freshman campaign included a game-winning field goal against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 9.
Harold also helped develop First Team All-MEAC punter Lawrence Forbes, whose 43.8-yard average ranked first in the MEAC and ninth nationally in the FCS in 2013. Forbes recorded 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and 11 punts of more than 50 yards, including a 78-yard punt at Liberty. He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award and was named to the 2013 ECAC Championship Sub-Division All-Star Team.
A number of standouts emerged under Harold’s guidance in 2012. Earvin Gonzalez was among the conference’s top kickers, ranking first in field-goal percentage, tied for second in field goals and scoring kicks, tied for fourth in scoring, third in punting and fourth in point-after-attempt percentage. Morgan State’s special teams unit ranked second in the MEAC in kickoff returns and was led by return specialists Chris Flowers, Tyrone Hendrix and Tubotein Taylor.
During the 2011 season, Morgan State’s kicking duo of Abraham Mercado and Ervin Gonzalez combined for 51 points, while punter Nicholas Adams ranked third in the MEAC with a 39.0-yard gross average. Adams also recorded 20 punts inside the 20-yard line. Collectively, the Bears’ special teams unit held opponents to 17.3 yards per kickoff return, ranking second in the MEAC.
In 2010, Kemar Scarlett led Morgan State in scoring with 67 points and connected on 18-of-24 field-goal attempts. Punter Nicholas Adams ranked second among MEAC leaders with a 38.5-yard gross average and recorded a school-record 79-yard punt at Delaware State.
Harold also played an important role in the development of Morgan State’s tight ends. Under his tutelage, Lamont Bryant developed into an All-MEAC performer and later signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers. Harold also helped develop tight ends such as Nate Ingram, Eme Akonawe, Willie Gillus II and Charles Harris.
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Harold came to Morgan State as a student and spent two years as an intern in the athletic department’s strength and conditioning program. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Services and Sports Management in 1996 and later earned his master’s degree in 1999.
In 1997, Harold began his career at Morgan State, volunteering as an assistant coach with the linebackers and defensive line units while also working as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He later served as an assistant academic advisor in the athletic department.
Harold’s return to Morgan State has continued a coaching career deeply connected to the Bears’ football program and the development of student-athletes both on and off the field.
