GREENSBORO, N.C. -- North Carolina A&T football is coming off a Celebration Bowl victory over Grambling State, and a perfect 12-0 season.

• Head Coach Rod Broadway announced his retirement in January
• Sam Washington is the new man in charge of the program
• The Aggies open the season on the road against Jacksonville State and East Carolina

The celebrating, however, came a sudden halt when Head Coach Rod Broadway announced his retirement in January.

Sam Washington is the new man in charge of the program, overseeing his players on the field on Monday, and he hopes to continue the run of success started by his predecessor.

"They (the players) have responded extremely well," Washington said Monday. "We had a great deal (of players) stay over this summer and work out. I think we're ready for the opportunity ahead of us."

The Aggies open the season on the road against Jacksonville State and East Carolina, before their home opener on Sept. 8, when they host Gardner-Webb.