The Van Malone era at Hampton University has started off rough as the team enters the season's midway point. They've won only one game this season: a 45-0 blowout over Virginia University at Lynchburg. But heading into week 8, the Pirates have lost five straight games, including two to HBCU opponents Norfolk State and Howard University.
Malone took to his X account for an uncharacteristically lengthy tweet about the hardships that the team is facing this season.
“Building a winner is often not glamorous… at times there are setbacks. It does require patience and fortitude. Many people have ideas of how this should happen and when that should work. We will stay grounded in the process because we are going to find success!!!Guaranteed!!!”
The Pirates haven't had a winning season since 2018, when they went 7-3, following their departure from the MEAC. Since that time, the once-dominant HBCU power has experienced significant struggles after their transition to the Big South and the Coastal Athletic Association.
But in comments obtained by the Virginian Pilot's Trevyn Gray in September, Malone said that building a winning tradition takes time.
Article Continues Below“It’s not a microwave. It’s an oven,” Malone said. “But there are a lot of impatient people in our program, and impatience drives you to get what you want. It drives you to do it at a level that maybe other people don’t.”
They were at large. Hampton University now prepares for a tough task, facing off against Monmouth University, who is entering the matchup ranked 5-2 with a 4-0 record in conference.