Troy AD Abruptly Announces Resignation
Troy University is prepping a search committee after the abrupt announcement by Athletics Director Steve Dennis of his plans to resign from his position effective September 30, the day after South Alabama plays their first Sun Belt game versus Troy in Mobile.
Dennis did not give a reason for his announcement which was released via a short statement by the University’s athletics media relations department.
Troy University is a special place and I have been privileged to play a role in the growth and development of its athletic program over the past seven-and-one-half years. The University will always hold a special place in my heart and my family will always be a TROY family.
I have presented my resignation as Director of Athletics to Chancellor Hawkins effective September 30. Our athletic department has accomplished a great deal at TROY, and I believe this is the right time in my life to explore other opportunities. In announcing my departure, I thank the members of the coaching and support staffs of the Department of Athletics and I cannot thank Chancellor Hawkins enough for giving me this opportunity. He is a tremendous leader but most of all he is a great human being and it has been a privilege to work for and learn from him. I am sure that great things lie ahead for Trojan athletics and I look forward to watching the growth and maturity of the program in the years to come.”
Dennis played football at Georgia where he was a defensive captain in 1978, is a former assistant coach at Auburn where he was on the staff with Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney.
Coach Joey Jones Radio Times Today
Head Coach Joey Jones is scheduled to be on the radio twice today. First he will be on the “News Sentinel Sports Page” on WNML FM/AM in Knoxville at 9:30am Central Time.
Then at 2:15pm he will be on the “Southern Sports Tonight” which is aired on WTKE 100.3 FM in Pensacola and WTKP 93.5 FM in Tallashassee.
WTKE and WNML are both available to listen to through TuneIn Radio app on your smart phone.
Go Jags!
Erdmann Appointed To NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament Selection Committee
USA Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann.
The University of South Alabama Athletics Director Dr. Joel Erdmann has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament selection committee. Dr. Erdmann will begin his first term with the committee on September 1, 2012 and runs through September 1, 2016.
Committee members are selected by geographical location to assure equal representations across the nation. THeir responsiblities are the oversight of the College World Series which is held in Omaha, Nebraska each year and the continual exposure of the sport nationally. They also select and seed the field for the NCAA Tournament each spring.
Erdmann was notified of his appointment to the committee this past spring but had to go through a lengthy process to become a member. He was first nominated to be on the 10-member Sun Belt Conference committee, then in conjunction with a nomination, each potential candidate must then submit a justification as to why they would be qualified to server on the committee. They must also list any applicable past experience in a role or some type of knowledge or expertise in the sport that would be beneficial.
Erdmann has previously served on both the NCAA Division II Football Committee while at the University of North Alabama during 2006-2007 academic year. He also co-chaired the NCAA Division II Football Southeast Region Advisory Committee during his time with UNA. he was also an assistant coach at USA in 1996-1997 and a graduate assistant before that for the Jags during the 1992 season.
“I’m very humbled and honored to be nominated and selected to be on the committee,” Erdmann stated. “I think part of the benefit is to try and make sure the game itself is healthy and the championships are healthy and good. Any time a person can represent a university and a conference, that’s also a benefit and has some intangible benefits to it. I’m looking forward to serving on the committee. I think it will be a great experience. It’ll be a bit of work and a lot of time, but it’ll be well worth it.”
South Alabama Set To Add Four To USA Hall of Fame
Four former Jags are set to be inducted into the South Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame. Three of them are former All-Americans and another is a nationally ranked women’s tennis player.
Former Jaguar baseball players P.J. Walters and Juan Pierre, former men’s tennis player František Babej and Cindy Summers will be the four added to the 57 former players who are currently in the South Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame.
The first weekend in November will be the school’s Hall of Fame weekend with a formal ceremony on Saturday, November 3 at 10 a.m. at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on campus. They will then be recognized at Ladd-Peebles Stadium during halftime of the Jaguars game versus Florida International.
P.J. Walters lettered for the Jaguars from 2004-2006 and earned Freshman All-American accolades from Collegiate Baseball his first season with the Jags after posting a 10-1 records with 119 strikeouts in 117 innings. As a junior, Collegiate Baseball named Walters a second-team All-America while Baseball America named him a third-team honoree. He led the Sun Belt with 166 strikeouts, which was the second highest total in school history, as he earned an 11-3 mark. Walters owns the career record with 404 strikeouts and 410.1 innings pitched. He is also second all-time with 31 wins.
Juan Pierre’s only season as a Jaguar saw him lead the Sun Belt with 95 hits, 77 runs and 54 stolen bases and earning conference player-of-the-year and being named first-team all-league. The 54 stolen bases ranked 5th nationally. American Baseball Coaches Association named him to the second-team All-American team and was also named to the third team All-America team by both Collegiate Baseball and the National College Baseball Writers Association. The Jags won the regular-season title with a 42-19 overall record and went 2-2 at the NCAA South I Regional. Both losses were by one run to eventual National Champion USC.
Babej lettered for the Jags in 2004 and 2005 while earning All-America honors in singles from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association both of those seasons. In his first season with the Jags, Babej became the first Jaguar player to ever reach the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. He ended the season ranked 17th in the country in singles and 49th in doubles in 2003-2004. He would end his senior season ranked 16th in the final rankings after winning his first two NCAA singles matches. He would end his senior year with a 32-3 record with a 26-match winning streak.
Summers earned numerous Sun Belt Conference honors during her time as a Jaguar. She lead the Lady Jags to four consecutive league championships from 1994-1997. She was also included in the Sun Belt Conference 30th Anniversary All-Time Women’s Tennis Team. She was selected the MVP of the conference championships in both 1996 and 1997 while earning all-league honors in singles three times and doubles on three occasions as well. In 1996 she would finish ranked 34th nationally in singles and 40th in doubles. At the end of her senior year she was ranked 57th nationally in doubles and 65th nationally in singles.
Jags Receives Verbal From Coveted Defensive End
Fresh on the heels of picking up their 10th verbal commitment, the Jags picked up their 11th verbal of the 2013 signing class. Willie Williams Jr of Sumter County High in Americus Georgia, a 6’2″, 255 pound defensive end gave his verbal commitment to the Jaguars. Alabama, Georgia, UCLA and Arkansas were all recruiting Williams.
“This football team is very, very good,” Williams said. “I really like the coaching staff and I think it’s a real good program. It’s a good school and I believe I’ll get a good education.”
Williams was attracted to the Jaguars because he would have the opportunity to play right away and because the program was so young.
William’s coach Michael Pollock had very good words to say about his player. “He’s a very athletic defensive end,” Pollock said. “He can play tight end and defensive end, which he does for us, which gives you some idea of what kind of athlete he is. We even feel if he had to that he could play linebacker for us.”
Pollock continues, “His pass-rush skills are extremely good and he does a great job. He’s not a one-dimensional player. He defends the run well too. But he really has a nose for the quarterback on the rush game. I think his feet and his speed are two assets that he has. I believe he could play right away (at South Alabama). He’s played for us since he was a sophomore. I think he has the skills to go in and make an immediate impact for them.”
“He went to Georgia and dominated at their camp earlier this month and they were talking to him heavy,” Pollock said. “I think it’s an opportunity for Willie to go to a place – you know, they have really, really made it a point of emphasis that he is one of the main guys they are wanting. I think he feels that South Alabama really cherishes his abilities and as a person and really wants him there and I think that’s part of why he picked them.”
Coach Bryant Vincent was recruiting Williams. Pollock said that Coach Vincent did a good job of recruiting him. Even though he was getting a lot of looks from SEC schools, Pollock believes that Williams was impressed by South Alabama’s facilities and coaching staff. But most of all he thinks Williams was impressed most of all by the Jaguars interest in having Williams join the program.
Willie Williams Jr highlight reel.
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.
- Devon Earl S Hoover HS, AL 5’10” 180lb 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a Junior
- Noah Armstrong OT Lawrence Co. 6’8″ 300lb Offered by Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss.
Jags Land Big Offensive Lineman As 10th Verbal Of 2013 Signing Class
Offensive lineman Drew Dearman signals pre-snap as the Jaguars work in Spring drills.
Noah Armstrong, a 6’8″ 300 pound offensive lineman from Lawrence County High has become the 10th verbal commitment to the Jaguars football program for the 2013 signing class.
Armstrong was offered a few months ago and the Jags have maintained their interest in him as other schools, like Arkansas State, MTSU, Southern Miss and Tennessee-Martin, also made offers to him. Armstrong’s first visit to campus was on July 19th and he was so impressed he have his verbal commitment quickly.
Armstrong had narrowed down his choice to three schools, all in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State and Western Kentucky were on the list with South Alabama, who was only on the short list due to their communication. However his visit to campus moved them from the bottom to the top of his list.
He said he was happy to announce his decision and complete his recruiting process so he can focus on his senior season.
“Everything that South does, they try to do the best,” said Armstrong. He also noted that the facilities are the “best of anybody else” and that the Jaguar coaches “kept great contact and made a relationship with me. They made me feel like family already.”
When Armstrong was asked if he thought he could step in and help the Jags on the field right away, he said “I’ll do whatever they need me to do. I’m here to help. South Alabama offered me long before anybody else did, months before I got my next offer. After that, they just kept coming in and coming in and coming in. It got to the point it started to be a job of its own. I’m happy to make the commitment. I put everything I have behind that commitment and it’s not going to change unless something terrible happens.”
Armstrong said that Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Robert Matthews told him that he had a good shot that he could play within the first two years and have the ability to start. The Jags always has need for a big tackle who can protect the quarterback and move defenders out of the way.
Armstrong’s school plays in one of the most competitive regions in the state and he is ready to concentrate on Lawrence County’s upcoming season. Lawrence County plays in region 5A and Armstrong is the starting left tackle for his school.
Armstrong wants to study Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.9 GPA.
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.
- Devon Earl S Hoover HS, AL 5’10” 180lb 61 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a Junior
Troy Coach Larry Blakeney Unhappy With South Alabama Football Program
Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney.
Apparently, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney isn’t too happy about South Alabama football. In an article by Adam Sparks of The Daily News Journal, Blakeney had the following to say.
About South Alabama being unclassified for it’s first two seasons and thus allowing recruits to play all five of their eligibility years instead of only having five years to play four seasons.
“I think it’s bullcrap, myself,” Blakeney said. “Anything that gives one school an advantage in recruiting like that should not be there. We’ve lost some players to them because of that. But the main thing is the game.”
Also, Blakeney thought South Alabama only played teams they could beat during their first two seasons to build a fan base.
“It will be a rivalry in this state, and I expect (the stadium) will be full. They’ve done a great job of developing fans because they haven’t played anybody that they couldn’t beat for two years,” said Blakeney, with a hint of sarcasm. “That made everybody happy. I thought it that was brilliant.”
Coach Blakeney, you lost a lot of credit with me.
Some would think that you are bitter that your run of conference championships, winning or sharing part of four of the last five titles, may be coming to an end. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but South Alabama is about to enter into it’s fourth season, it’s fifth season recruiting against you and other football programs. But those players, who in years past may have gone to Troy, may now be at South Alabama while Troy’s record last season was a mere 3-9.
Here is the link to Adam Sparks article at The Tennessean. See page two of the article.
Jags Announce Kickoff Times For First Three Games
Coach Joey Jones speaks with an NC State coach during team warm-ups.
Last week South Alabama Athletic Director Joel Erdmann announced kickoff times for the first three football games of the 2012 season.
The Jags will open the season on Thursday, August 30th at 6:30pm against Texas-San Antonio at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Jags defeated UTSA in San Antonio 27-20 in double overtime.
The next week the Jags will host Nicholls State with kickoff scheduled for 4pm on Saturday, September 8. Jags won the first game against Nicholls State in 2010 39-21, which was the Jags first game against an FCS school.
The Jags first road game against NC State will kick off at 5pm (CDT) on Saturday, September 15 and will be available on ESPN3.
Other times will be released at a later date.
Navy And South Alabama Mutually Agree To Reduce Series
South Alabama and Navy have mutually agreed to cancel their dates in 2015 and 2016 according to assistant athletic director Haven Fields. Navy and the Jags had a four-game, home-and-home series scheduled back in 2008 to be played from 2013 through 2016. However, due to Navy’s agreement to join the Big East in 2015, they are eliminating several non-conference games to open up dates for a conference schedule.
Last month, Navy posted a tentative 2015 football schedule non-conference schedule and the Jags were not on that schedule. However the front half, 2013 and 2014, are still on the schedule and at this point will still be honored.
Jags Receive Verbal Commitment From Hoover Standout
Jags add another name to their growing list of verbal commitments for the 2013 signing season. Their ninth and latest high school verbal commit comes from a 5’11” 195-pound Safety from Hoover High School.
Devon Earl has been the starting safety for Hoover since his sophomore season and was selected as the 2012 Birmingham News Hoover Area Athlete of the Year while also being the starting point guard on the basketball team.
Earl had offers from UAB, Troy and Southern Miss. He was also recruited by MTSU, ULL and Georgia State. “I just felt like South would be a better place for me,” he said. “I just really liked the Mobile area. Going down there, the water being there, you just can’t not go there.”
Earl said he liked South Alabama because it’s a new school and he liked their facilities. He liked the coaches and had an enjoyable time working with them in the football camp which made his decision easier. He was also interested in being part of building a tradition at the school.
Earl looks forward to competing for playing time when he gets on campus. “At Hoover, I had to work for my spot,” Earl said. “I played as a sophomore, but I had to work for it just like I would at any other school. I feel like I can work for it and get a spot.”
Hoover High School football coach Josh Niblett had high praises for Earl. “I think the biggest thing with Devon, and he started for us back when he was a sophomore and that’s not easy to do in our program, but to be able to play safety for us, the greatest thing about him is his presence,” Niblett said. “That’s very contagious. He plays with great passion and great energy. He’s a ball hawk and a great tackler, but he’s always where he’s supposed to be. He has a knack for reading the quarterback’s eyes, and he has a knack for being around the ball. Just playing safety isn’t everything. He can return punts and he has great hands.
“I always knew he was going to be a special kid and special player, but he’s just as special off the field as he does on the field. He’s always where he’s supposed to be and doing what he’s supposed to be doing. He’s got a great family, and they’re real close. He’s been raised well and every day he looks for opportunities to get better. He’s such a competitor. I don’t care if we’re doing 7-on-7 or it’s basketball and they’re doing 3-on-3, or 1-on-1, he wants to win. The knowledge that he has of the game is great. You only have to tell him something once and he soaks it up. They got a good one, I can tell you that.”
The other verbal commits are:
- Tiquan Lang CB Lowndes GA. 5’8″ 168-lb 73 tackles, 3 int, 1 kick block, 5 KOR for 201yds and 1TD, 6PR for 113yds in 2011.
- Terrell Pinson FS Itawamba CC 6’3″ 200lb As a freshman he played WR and caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
- Xavier Johnson RB Chamberlain, FL. 5’9″ 170lb Rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 TDs in 2011.
- Caleb Hayman WR/TE Gainesville, FL. 6’1″ 193lb
- Dejon Funderburk WR Washington (Pensacola), FL. 6’0″ 175lb Caught 31 passes for 720 yards adn 7TD’s while rushing for 362 yards and 4TDs.
- Taylor Lamb QB Calhoun, GA. 6’1″ 190lb Had a 73% completion rate for 3,635 yards, 40TDs and 9Ints.
- Justin Jones RB Northeast Miss. JC 5’6″ 180lb Rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman.
- Roman Buchanan S Daleville, AL. 6’2″ 195lb 72 solo tackles, 45 assists, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered, two interceptions, four passes defended and a field goal blocked as a junior.
- Tevaris McCormick WR Biloxi, MS. 5’9″ 170lb 769 yards receiving, 213 yards rushing and 265 yards on returns with 16 total touchdowns.
- Jacob Chaffin DT Spain Park, AL. 6’3″ 260lb 38 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior.