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Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Q&A with Coach Allen about spring practices
The SBU Bearcats football team will start the 15 NCAA allowed spring practices on Monday March 14th. Keith Allen, entering his 5th year as the Bearcats Head Coach, talks about the upcoming spring sessions.
How has this off-season training been going as compared to 2010?
"The biggest difference I see as the head coach is that these guys are becoming students of the game, they are coming over during their free time watching film from last year and asking a lot of questions! These guys are beginning to understand what it takes to win and have been putting in the extra work this off-season to earn the right to expect to win each game they play. For the first time in school history everyone on our roster has a winning record at SBU, their expectations have changed from hoping to win to expecting to win." Allen added " The cohesion we have as a coaching staff is showing in the cohesion of team. The kids know our standard of performance and level of expectations which is crucial to the overall progress of the team."
How Excited are you to finally start Spring Practice?
It's the best part of what we do in the Spring! I enjoy recruiting and the off-season conditioning, but I really love being around our players and have a chance to see them improve on the field and gel as a cohesive team. It's nice to focus on the game of football without the pressure of anyone worrying about a Saturday and how their performance will be. We can just work on the game of football and not be rushed trying to put in certain plays. I just love teaching and coaching."
What to you hope to accomplish with the 2011 spring practices?
"Our first goal is always to become fundamentally sound in every aspect, offense, defense, and special teams. We will focus on footwork, alignment and assignments. Our coaches have tweaked what we do both offensively and defensively, so it will be great for our kids to get those 15 opportunities to learn and improve. Our second goal is to challenge our kids to define our two-deep on both sides of the ball. The Third goal as a program is to keep changing the atmosphere and mindset of what the Bearcat football program is all about- our guys need to expect and believe that they can execute every play and win every game in 2011.
You lost 8 starters last year. What are your concerns and are you excited to see who steps up in the leadership roles?
"We had 14 seniors last year, 8 of which were starters, which is a great compliment to the program that we're able to keep seniors around each and every year. This off-season we have been meeting twice a week to discuss character, leadership and what it really means to be a Christian leader on and off the field. Our concerns are just like every coach in America, we need more linemen. We lost a monster in graduating Ino Vitale, but we have addressed that in recruiting and will continue to develop the depth we need at offensive and defensive line. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback position, and losing Steve Gachette is definitely a concern. We have 5 guys this spring going to compete for that role, so I expect to see them all have a great Spring. Everyone on our roster will have to compete every practice. They will have to prove and earn their leadership role on our team during these 15 practices, I am excited about the great character and leadership these kids will display. "
Key Returners?
How has this off-season training been going as compared to 2010?
"The biggest difference I see as the head coach is that these guys are becoming students of the game, they are coming over during their free time watching film from last year and asking a lot of questions! These guys are beginning to understand what it takes to win and have been putting in the extra work this off-season to earn the right to expect to win each game they play. For the first time in school history everyone on our roster has a winning record at SBU, their expectations have changed from hoping to win to expecting to win." Allen added " The cohesion we have as a coaching staff is showing in the cohesion of team. The kids know our standard of performance and level of expectations which is crucial to the overall progress of the team."
How Excited are you to finally start Spring Practice?
It's the best part of what we do in the Spring! I enjoy recruiting and the off-season conditioning, but I really love being around our players and have a chance to see them improve on the field and gel as a cohesive team. It's nice to focus on the game of football without the pressure of anyone worrying about a Saturday and how their performance will be. We can just work on the game of football and not be rushed trying to put in certain plays. I just love teaching and coaching."
What to you hope to accomplish with the 2011 spring practices?
"Our first goal is always to become fundamentally sound in every aspect, offense, defense, and special teams. We will focus on footwork, alignment and assignments. Our coaches have tweaked what we do both offensively and defensively, so it will be great for our kids to get those 15 opportunities to learn and improve. Our second goal is to challenge our kids to define our two-deep on both sides of the ball. The Third goal as a program is to keep changing the atmosphere and mindset of what the Bearcat football program is all about- our guys need to expect and believe that they can execute every play and win every game in 2011.
You lost 8 starters last year. What are your concerns and are you excited to see who steps up in the leadership roles?
"We had 14 seniors last year, 8 of which were starters, which is a great compliment to the program that we're able to keep seniors around each and every year. This off-season we have been meeting twice a week to discuss character, leadership and what it really means to be a Christian leader on and off the field. Our concerns are just like every coach in America, we need more linemen. We lost a monster in graduating Ino Vitale, but we have addressed that in recruiting and will continue to develop the depth we need at offensive and defensive line. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback position, and losing Steve Gachette is definitely a concern. We have 5 guys this spring going to compete for that role, so I expect to see them all have a great Spring. Everyone on our roster will have to compete every practice. They will have to prove and earn their leadership role on our team during these 15 practices, I am excited about the great character and leadership these kids will display. "
Key Returners?
"We return 16 starters from last years 7-4 team, so we are very excited!"
"Offensively, we have 3 starters on offensive line returning with 2 guys coming back with substantial playing time. That is huge for us up front. We return our entire running back core with Thad Everson, Justin Duhaney, Tiras Harris and Chris Culbreth, so I am definitely excited about our running game! At Wide Receiver our loan returner Charles Johnson will be returning for his Senior year after leading the team with 81 receptions in 2010. It seems that every year we lose an entire WR core, but every year we've had a great group of guys to meet the challenge and I expect 2011 to be no different."
"Defensively, we are returning 8 starters. Six of our entire back seven and two linemen. I expect great things from our Linebackers Shaquille Shedd, Andre Hicks and Austin Otwell. Our secondary should be more experienced with Anthony Wiggins, Chris Muhammad, Chris Hawkins and Karre Wallace. Our Defensive line is anchored by seniors Casey Smith and Ben Tautola. We expect a lot of our younger guys to step up this spring and become impact players this fall."
"In the kicking game we return our Long snapper, J.T. Brown, and kicker Andrew Kocurek. With our recruiting class and returning talent at the specialists position I expect us to dramatically improve in the kicking game. We return all of our return specialists which went 2nd in the nation last year in Punt returns!"
"Again, overall I am excited about the players we have returning and going through Spring Drills!"
Can you complete this sentence: Come the end of the spring practices, the Bearcats will be better at ...?
"Playing the game of football as a team. It's not about the offense and how many points they can score; and it's not about the defense and how many sacks and picks they can get; it's about the football team coming together as a whole, all phases and playing and winning together."
Any comments for the Bearcat fans and alumni out there?
"We hope to see you at some of our practices and our 3rd annual Spring game. I also hope everyone will participate in our First Annual 5 on 5 flag football tournament the day of the Spring Game on April 16th. We need your support to take this team to a higher level. I know our fans, alumni, student body and community will be proud of this first class group of young men that wear the purple of the SBU Bearcats."
"Playing the game of football as a team. It's not about the offense and how many points they can score; and it's not about the defense and how many sacks and picks they can get; it's about the football team coming together as a whole, all phases and playing and winning together."
Any comments for the Bearcat fans and alumni out there?
"We hope to see you at some of our practices and our 3rd annual Spring game. I also hope everyone will participate in our First Annual 5 on 5 flag football tournament the day of the Spring Game on April 16th. We need your support to take this team to a higher level. I know our fans, alumni, student body and community will be proud of this first class group of young men that wear the purple of the SBU Bearcats."
Thursday, February 3, 2011
2011 Recruiting Class
Recruiting Class Recap:
“With SBU having back to back winning seasons for the first time in 23 years, we had very specific goals for our 2011 recruiting class. After the last game of the record breaking 2010 season, we had a team meeting and explained our goals and expectations for 2011. We told our players that everyone has a job to do to prepare for 2011. Our coaching staff’s job was to recruit players to replace everyone on our roster and their job was to work so hard that it would be tough for any newcomer to beat them out. I feel that our coaching staff has done a great job this year of signing the student-athletes that can contribute to our team immediately, either by playing in a starring role or providing competition and quality depth at their position. Our immediate needs on offense were at the offensive line, wide receiver and quarterback positions. Defensively, we had immediate needs at the defensive line. In the kicking game we needed to find a punter. We are very excited about the guys we have signed and the mid-year transfers that are already on campus. These guys are not only great football players, they are quality people off the field as well. This recruiting class is exemplified by young men with great character, hard work ethic, solid academics and a burning desire to compete on the football field.
Again, our coaching staff did a great job recruiting and I applaud their hard work and effort. I also appreciate all the support and help our athletic administration, faculty and staff gave us in recruiting such a strong class. We will be finalizing this recruiting class over the next few weeks with a few more talented student athletes. Our fans can expect another great season with this signing class.”
2011 Signees Mid Year Bios
Kortney Bennett (Los Angeles, CA ) – DE, 6’3, 260, JR
College : LA Peirce College
Coach Allen: “Kortney is a big body edge player that we believe will wreak havoc on opposing QBs. His size and strength allows him to control the corner in the run game as well. Having him this spring will be a great benefit to learning our system inside and out before this season.”
Daniel Connors (Monterrey, CA) – QB, 6’6, 202, JR
High School : Pacific Grove High School / Monterrey Peninsula C.C.
Head Coach : Coach Roggeman / Coach Rasmussen
Planned College Major : Sports Management
Coach Allen: “Dan is a monster signal caller with his 6’6 stature. His ability to see everything and run the offense will be a huge advantage for us this spring. His size and strength is a big plus, but it his ability to run the ball is the main reason we see him competing for the job this spring.”
Chuck Stevens (New Orleans, LA) – OL, 6’6, 325, JR
High School : McDonough 35 College Prep / Arizona Western
Head Coach : Coach Reese / Coach Minick
Planned College Major : Sports Management
Coach Allen: “Chuck is a physical presence on our campus this spring. He is a technician who can overpower defender at times taking over the game. Having him this spring will beef up our already impressive line-up. His physique and aptitude will allow us to play him a multiple positions on our line.”
Brandon Colainni (Moon Township, PA) – OL, 6’3, 300, JR
High School : Moon Area High School / Valley Forge Military College
Head Coach : Coach Capuano / Coach DiCarlo
Planned College Major : Psychology
Coach Allen: “Brandon comes to us from the Steel City and brings that blue collar attitude to our team. From the moment he stepped on campus people have responded to him. His eagerness to finish his blocks is his highest quality. He wants you on the ground if at all possible and when you see his film that is what you get. We expect big things out of him this spring and fall.
Eddie Shields (Shawnee, KS) – WR, 5’7, 150, JR
High School : Shawnee Mission North High School / Coffeyville Community College
Head Coach : Coach Majors / Coach Dulin
Planned College Major : Sports Management
Notes: 18 catches, 193 yards, 2 TDs
Coach Allen: “Eddie is a quick jitter bug type athlete that joins us this spring from Coffeyville CC. He has a great attitude and has been working hard everyday to compete in our offense. Once we put the pads on this spring we look to Eddie has have an immediate impact for our wide receiver corp.”
Charles Bolden II (South Holland, IL) – WR-DB, 6’2, 189, JR
High School : Seton Academy / Grossmont College (San Diego, CA)
Head Coach : Coach Jordan
Planned College Major : Business Management
Coach Allen: “Charles is a big time athlete that we see starting somewhere either on offense or defense for us once spring ball is all said and done. His skill catch and run with it excite us about him at wideout, but ability to cover people has us wondering which position well be the final resting place for him.”
Collin Pape (Peoria, AZ) – FS, 5’11, 182, JR
High School : Sunrise Mountain / Glendale Community College
Head Coach : Coach Bell
Planned College Major : Sports Management
Coach Allen: “Collin is a great cover man that we can see competing for being the leader in the back end for us this spring into the fall. He was a standout player Glendale CC, and we don’t look for that to change while he plays for us.”
2011 Signees Bios
Tyler Park (Keller, TX) – QB, 6’1, 185, FR
High School : Keller High School
Head Coach : Coach Atkinson
Planned College Major : Athletic Training
Notes: Team Offensive MVP, 1560 Yards Passing, 128-198 64.5% Completion Percentage, 11 Passing TD’s and 4 Rushing TD’s on 358 yards rushing.
Coach Allen: “Tyler is a dynamic player that comes from a program that runs a very similar offense to ours. We expect to see him compete for playing time right away.”
Trey Schucker (Clarksville, AR) – QB, 6’3, 215, FR
High School : Clarksville High School
Head Coach : Coach Banning
Planned College Major : Physical Therapy
Notes:
Coach Allen: “Trey is a versatile player that can come in a play a multitude of positions. Under Coach Banning at Clarksville Trey ran the offense from the QB spot and played defense as well. With his natural size and strength we expect him to compete at quarterback but is physical enough to play any number of positions.”
Jon Hawes (Springdale, AR) – WR, 6’3, 205, FR
High School : Shiloh Christian School
Head Coach : Coach Floyd
Planned College Major : Undecided
Notes: 4.51 40 Yard Dash, 907 Yards Recieving on 48 Catches, 8 Interceptions and 4 Fumble Recoveries in Senior Season with 13 TD’s. Ark.Sports.360 Best of Class 2011, Northwest Arkansas All Area Team, All Conference, 3 Year Record 40-3, 3 Time Arkansas 4A State Champions, 3 Straight Years Nationally Ranked. Also was Arkansas 4A State Champion and Arkansas 4A State Runner-Up in Track 4x400 meters.
Coach Allen: “Jon is a winner plain and simple. Jon played for the Arkansas power Shiloh Christian where he won three State Championships in a row. He is a big play threat that attacks the ball when it is in the air. His size and stature allows him to out position defenders and has the speed to get over the top.”
Stephen Carr (The Woodlands, TX ) – OL, 6’4, 275, FR
High School : The Woodlands High School
Head Coach : Coach Schmid
Planned College Major : Business
Notes: 1st Team All District 14-5A Offensive Lineman, 2008 Freshmen Wrestler of the Year.
Coach Allen: “Stephen is a big physical lineman that has the ability to take over games up front. He was a standout while at The Woodlands one of Texas’ finest schools. His size and strength allows him to overpower defender creating run lanes, and has excellent feet while pass blocking.”
Blake King (Duncanville, TX ) – OL, 6’4, 235, FR
High School : Duncanville High School
Head Coach : Coach Dicus
Planned College Major : Sports Management
Notes: 2010 All-District Team
Coach Allen: “Blake is a dynamic athlete upfront that has the speed and quickness to compete at TE as well. He has long arms and fast feet which allow him to handle edge runners, along with having the ability to get down field in the screen game as well.”
Austin Molitor (Bentonville, AR ) – WR/Punter, 6’5, 190, FR
High School : Bentonville High School
Head Coach : Coach Lunney
Notes: All Conference 7A West Wide Receiver
Coach Allen: “Austin has one of the best legs for a high school kid I’ve seen in awhile. He is not your typical punter however because he also played wideout for the State Championship Tigers as well. He actually had more big plays there because he wasn’t called upon to often to punt. We hope that trend will be the same for us this fall.”
David Layman (Prairie Grove, AR ) – LS, 5’11’, 205, FR
High School : Prairie Grove High School
Head Coach : Coach Abshier
Coach Allen: “David is a product of hard work and determined effort. His ability to snap the football wear it needs to be excites us. We feel fortunate to have signed a ranked Rubio Snapping product. We look for David to compete for all our long snapping duties.”
Alex Bartlett (Harrisonville, MO ) – SS, 6’0, 180, FR
High School : Harrisonville High School
Head Coach : Coach Lliteras
Planned College Major : Criminal Justice
Coach Allen: “Alex comes from one of the best High Schools in the state. He knows how to work and what it takes to win a championship. His instinctive style of play allows him to be around the ball at all times. Alex is a great addition to our team.”
Blake Poncio (Katy, TX ) – SS, 5’11, 185, FR
High School : Seven Lakes High School
Head Coach : Coach O’Keefe
Planned College Major : Business / Law School
Notes: 1st Team All District 2008 and 2010 / 245 Tackles and 3 Blocked Kicks in three years.
Coach Allen: “Blake is a hitter there is no doubt about that. As soon as you turn on his highlight tape and see play one you know this kid can play. He is a downhill player that will strike you every chance he gets, but has great awareness to put himself in position to defend the pass as well. We are looking for big things out of Blake this Fall.”
Josh Caver (Pasadena, TX ) – DL, 6’3, 280, FR
High School : Pasadena Memorial High School
Head Coach : Coach Snelson
Planned College Major : Education
Notes: 1st Team All District DL, Most outstanding DL Award, 50 Tackles, 12 Tackles for Loss.
Coach Allen: “Josh is a product of SBU Alumni Coach Snelson at Memorial High in Pasadena. He plays big in the middle and disturbs offensive attacks with his effort to get in the backfield. When we look for defensive lineman we want guys that will cause havoc on the other side of scrimmage and Josh is our man for that.”
Nathan Mourik (Pasadena, TX ) – WR, 6’2, 185, FR
High School : Pasadena Memorial High School
Head Coach : Coach Snelson
Planned College Major : Criminal Justice
Coach Allen: “Nathan is another determined athlete that is a result of Coach Snelson’s tutelage. Playmaker is the only description suitable for Nathan. When Memorial needed a play it was Nathan they called on. His ability to attack the ball at its highest point and come down with it is one trait we love about him, but it is his YAC yard capability that we are most excited about. We look for him to be an immediate impact for us here.”
2011 Signing Day Interview
1. Coach, talk about your overall 2011 recruiting class:
“With SBU having back to back winning seasons for the first time in 23 years, we had very specific goals for our 2011 recruiting class. After the last game of the record breaking 2010 season, we had a team meeting and explained our goals and expectations for 2011. We told our players that everyone has a job to do to prepare for 2011. Our coaching staff’s job was to recruit players to replace everyone on our roster and their job was to work so hard that it would be tough for any newcomer to beat them out. I feel that our coaching staff has done a great job this year of signing the student-athletes that can contribute to our team immediately, either by playing in a starring role or providing competition and quality depth at their position. Our immediate needs on offense were at the offensive line, wide receiver and quarterback positions. Defensively, we had immediate needs at the defensive line. In the kicking game we needed to find a punter. We are very excited about the guys we have signed and the mid-year transfers that are already on campus. These guys are not only great football players, they are quality people off the field as well. This recruiting class is exemplified by young men with great character, hard work ethic, solid academics and a burning desire to compete on the football field.
Again, our coaching staff did a great job recruiting and I applaud their hard work and effort. I also appreciate all the support and help our athletic administration, faculty and staff gave us in recruiting such a strong class. We will be finalizing this recruiting class over the next few weeks with a few more talented student athletes. Our fans can expect another great season with this signing class.”
2. What was the biggest difference you noticed this year recruiting?
I believe we were able to recruit a higher caliber player than years past. I think back-to-back winning seasons and a great coaching staff that enjoys recruiting has helped us be more competitive when it comes to recruiting. Recruits are coming to our campus and are getting a first hand look at our team, coaches, and campus and realize we are a tight knit group!
3. What excites you the most about this recruiting class?
Besides the overall talent this recruiting class has is their individual desire to be at SBU. We put a premium on finding student athletes that wanted to be a part of what we are doing and what we are about. When you find a kid that can play and wants to be at your program, then you have a special athlete. I understand most kids at the age of 10 aren't dreaming to play football at SBU or any other NCAA D2 program they are dreaming about the DI schools. With that being said, I always tell our recruits that if you end up playing football at SBU then you were purposed or destined to be here. It's that special of a place.
4. Any signee stand out above the rest?
They all will play an intregal part in this program, otherwise we wouldn't have signed them. Ask me the same question in 3-4 years and I'll have a better answer.
5. Why so many recruits from out of state?
Believe it or not, we have a huge alumni base in the Dallas and Houston area , especially former football players that are now high school coaches. Those guys had a great experience at SBU are really help us in locating great players in their areas!
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