Jackson, MS -- Jackson State has scheduled a Friday press conference, at which time it is expected Rick Comegy will be named the university's 11th head football coach.

Comegy will replace James Bell, who was fired in late October during the Tigers' third consecutive losing season. Bell was just 8-23 with just a pair of home victories in two-plus seasons at Jackson State.

Comegy guided Tuskegee University at the Division II level to a 90-26 record in 10 seasons. He was also the school's athletic director. Comegy joined Tuskegee in 1996 after nine years at Central State University, three at Millersville University and seven at Colgate University.

The Tigers finished with a 2-9 mark this season, including a 2-7 record in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Jackson State is the alma mater of perhaps the greatest NFL running back of all-time in Hall of Famer Walter Payton.