South Alabama Football “Signing Day” Social with Head Coach Joey Jones
The South Alabama Athletic Department and Head Coach Joey Jones will have a Signing Day social Wednesday, February 1st at 5:00 p.m. in the John Counts Room at the Mitchell Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama. Head Football Coach Joey Jones will announce the Signing Class for the 2012 South Alabama Football season. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
There will be a meet and greet with Joey Jones and his staff from 5-5:30 p.m. with a video presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m. when Coach
Jones will present the recruiting class that have signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of South Alabama. There will be an opportunity for a question and answer segment with Coach Jones following the video presentation. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages
will be available to the guests with a cash bar.
Description of Events for Signing Day: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
- 4:30 p.m. – John Counts Room doors will open for guests.
- 5:00 p.m. – Joey Jones and his staff arrive for meet and greet.
- 5:30 p.m. – Coach Jones will speak and include a video presentation
- 6:15 p.m. – Event ends
For more information please call 461-1USA or visit www.usajaguars.com.
Go Jags!
WR coach Ron Antoine accepts position at Fresno State
According to CoachingSearch.com and FootballScoop.com, Wide Receivers coach Ron Antoine has been hired to fill the same position at Fresno State.
Tim DeRuyter was hired to replace long time coach Pat Hill. CBS47 in Fresno California reported this on their newscast with the video clip below. It is unclear when Coach Jones was informed of this and who if anyone he has spoken to about the open position. DeRuyter and Antoine coached together at Ohio from 2002-2004.
Jags get verbal from Hueytown WR Cameron Broadnax
Head Coach Joey Jones received a verbal commitment from Hueytown receiver Cameron Broadnax that he will sign with the Jaguars in early February. Cameron’s measureables are listed as 6’3″ 195lb and runs the 40 in around 4.58 with a 34″ verticle.
Cameron has offers from Middle Tennessee State, Samford, UAB as well as South Alabama. He said that he likes the Jaguars offensive approach and that it is a rising young program. He hopes to play quickly with the Jags.
They Hueytown head coach commented on Cameron saying, “The thing about Cam, he’s real long, he’s a full 6-3, and his leaping ability and his ball skills are phenomenal. A lot of guys are super fast, but they may not have the ball skills to make those types of catches. He is a leaper. That’s his biggest strength – his body awareness and when he twists around he makes some phenomenal catches. I told some guys, there’s nobody who runs routes better than he does or gets off the jam and has his kind of hands and ball skills. Depending on how much depth they have there now, I believe he’s a guy who can plug in there pretty quickly.”
Verbal commitments are non-binding and there is no early signing period for football recruits. Student-Athletes may begin to sign National Letter-of-Intents beginning February 1.
Former Southern Miss coach could be named OC Wednesday
Coach Matthews photo from southernmiss.com
Reports are going around that the University of South Alabama will announce the hiring of Robert Matthews as it’s next offensive coordinator. This announcement could come as soon as Wednesday.
Matthews was formerly the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for Southern Miss. He was also the recruiting coordinator under Coach Fedora in Hattisburg. In 2010, he helped the Golden Eagles offensive line which gained a school record 5,894 yards and averaged over 200 yards per game both rushing and passing.
He played three seasons at the University of Georgia from 1996-1998 while being a member of the Outback and Peach Bowl teams. He then went to Oconee County high school as tight ends and special teams coordinator in 1990, Camden County as Wide receivers and special teams coordinator in 2000, and North Gwinnett as offensive coordinator in 2001-2002.
Matthews was the head coach at Shiloh High for three seasons where he guided his team to playoff runs in Georgia’s largest classification while also leading a facility upgrade which included a new strength center, locker room and coaches offices.
After his stint in the high school ranks, he went to Oklahoma State for four seasons. In 2006 he was the coordinator of football operations then promoted to director of recruiting for the 2007-2008 seasons. Then in 2009 he joined the full-time staff as quarterbacks coach. While at OSU, the Cowboys went to three bowl games and a top-25 recruiting ranking in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
He also oversaw the walk-on program and other internal operations within the program while serving as the director of recruiting.
His addition should help to improve the Jaguar offense and recruiting with his ties in Georgia.
Breaking: OC Greg Gregory gone from USA
Greg Gregory
According to Pete Roussel at CoachingSearch.com he found out that offensive coordinator Greg Gregory will not return next season. As soon as we learn more we will update you with further information.
Link to post here.
Update 12/5/2011 7:30 a.m.: Official announcement from South Alabama later today.
Monday November 21, 2011 press conference
Captains Jon Griffin, Paul Bennett, Anton Graphenreed and Kevin Helms at mid-field for the pre-game coin toss.
Head coach Joey Jones along with senior cornerback Anton Graphenreed spoke to the media on Monday to reflect on Saturday’s loss to Cal Poly as well as the entire 2011 season.
Coach Jones said that he had mixed emotions about the season in his opening statement: “Looking back at the season, there are mixed emotions about it. We did some good things, and we probably could have done some things better. Obviously that last game didn’t end up on a good note. That’s the first time since I have been here that we got whipped up like that. They (Cal Poly) are a very good football team and we knew it. When you look at the season ahead of time – the N.C. State, Kent State and Cal Poly games – you knew they would be tough games to win. But I thought it was a good season. Our seniors have done a good job of leading this team, and I am proud of those guys.”
“We do have some work to do in the offseason. I told the kids this morning that we have great challenges ahead of us – 13 ballgames and 12 of them are Division-I programs. Obviously that’s where we want to go, and we knew where we were going and that it is going to be a challenge. I think somehow and some way this last game reminds me of what we need to do to get back to where we were fundamentally, and that means getting after it and being extremely tough – tough mentally and physically. That starts in the offseason, and we’re going to get that done.”
“I think when you win a lot of ballgames sometimes you soften up a little bit. I don’t think we got soft, but I do think there was a point where we didn’t cross every T and dot every I like we were two years ago. So we have to fight through that, especially with what we have coming up the next couple of years. We’re going to find some leaders and some discipline in our program. We obviously had too many turnovers this year, and we can’t win ballgames with that. Things like that are where we have to be a more disciplined football team, and we’re going to start working on that next Monday.”
When asked about the most important thing to focus on now that the season is over, Coach Jones said: “We want to focus on discipline. For the most part, it was a year where we didn’t play well but it was because of our mistakes and discipline. We have to correct that. The second thing is I think we have to develop more leadership as we go. We have freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are going to move up a class, and they have to learn to lead. We’re going to develop leadership in the offseason by the way we handle our workouts and by the way we approach everything. Those two areas are probably the biggest things we are going to focus on. We’ll obviously look at X’s and O’s as a staff, but I’m more concerned about the other two.”
Coach Jones answered a follow up question about developing leadership. “Most people say leaders are born, that they don’t develop that much in their lifetime. I disagree with that somewhat. We’re going to put the expectation on them now that they have to lead for next year. I told them this morning that we have until next August to develop leadership and discipline. If we can do that and we can put that expectation on them, then we will have some guys rise up. I also think we have to put them in situations where they can lead. In the offseason, that’s all you have. But the way we develop those guys is in offseason workouts, and that’s going to be a real critical time for us. One thing we’re going to do different is when we (coaching staff) get back off the road, the coaches are going to get back in that weight room. We’re going to be in there and motivate those guys. (Strength and conditioning head) Coach (Justin) Schwind is doing a great job already, but I think our staff needs to be in there as well, and that’s one thing I’m going to change.”
Anton Graphenreed’s opening statement: “The season didn’t really go as planned, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a great program. I enjoy being around my teammates and coaches. There were a lot of mental errors, and those are things that can be fixed. The team is young and has a lot of growing to do, and I think they will do that.”
“There are a lot of people who have stepped up tremendously, and all they are going to do is keep getting better. Like I said, the season didn’t go as planned but we learned from it. And I think that will help going into next year. It will let them (the team) know that there are more things that need to be worked on, even when everyone else is resting. That’s just a personal commitment that each and every one of these players need to make and live by it. I believe they will do it, and next year will be a lot better. It’s going to be a lot tougher, but my teammates will rise to the challenge. I trust and believe in that.”
Finally Graphenreed spoke about what is next for him now that his collegiate football career is over. “I really don’t know what God has in store for me. I’m just going to keep training and working hard, and graduate. Whatever opportunity arises, I will jump on it. But for right now, I have to prepare myself for any opportunity. I’m not going to just sit around and wait on anything.”
Jags vs Cal Poly gameday, Senior Day
It’s senior day at Ladd-Peebles Stadium as the Jaguars host the Cal Poly Mustangs.
Thirteen seniors will be honored before the game.
#2 Jereme Roberts CB, #5 Paul Bennett TE, #7 Lamontis Gardner WR, #12 Kevin Helms TE, #14 Anton Graphenreed CB, #19 Coleman Hornaday S, #19 Jordan Means PK, #26 Donte Rome WR, #51 Chris Brunson OL, #54 Jon Griffin OL, #64 Ryan Norris OL, #69 Brian Krauskopf OL and #85 Robby Stoner TE.
These seniors came to South Alabama to build a program. They bought into a vision, because nothing existed. They played hard and they won. These guys will forever be known as the foundation and cornerstone of the South Alabama Jaguar football team. They join the first senior class who were honored a year ago in that presitgous group.
Thank you for your hard work, dedication and most of all your willingness to share a vision with the coaches, the school and the fans.
The game will kick off at 4pm and will be broadcast locally on UTV44 and nationally on ESPN3.com.
Go Jags!
Coach Joey Jones Show Recap 2011-11-15
Coach Joey Jones and Lee Shirvanian are joined by Jinni Frisbey, Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine.
The outgoing seniors will be missed, they came into this program and knew they would not be playing for bowl games or conference championships but still came in and worked hard. They showed the young players how to practice and how to prepare.
Orthopedic Group injury report: Jereme Jones has been recovering well and could be ready to play on Saturday. B.J. Scott injured his knee against Georgia State and will not play due to a partially torn ligament in his knee. Bryson James has a lower back injury from the weight room and the will miss the game due to precautionary reasons. Demetre Baker dislocated his shoulder against MVSU and has rehabbed very well and will be able to play some this weekend.
Lee asked if this has been a better than average year for injuries which she agreed with. The players have played through some injuries but overall the injury list has been shorter than others and they hope it will continue this way.
Fuego Restaurant’s Who’s Hot segment: Coach Jones was a little off guard by Lee’s question for a most valuable player on offense and defense for the Jags. He said that would be hard to say but he would have to go with the tight ends because their play is so critical for the offense. Defensively he mentioned team leader in tackles Jake Johnson and Romelle Jones as two players. He also mentioned Charles Harris but said that they have many possible MVP’s on both sides of the ball.
Caller asked about an update on Brandon Ross again and since Coach Jones said that the triple option is the best offense, why isn’t South Alabama running that offense. Jinni started with an update on Brandon and his ACL tear. He also had to have another surgery on his MCL which is unusual. He has been out practicing and is looking good but will not play this year.
As for the triple offense question, Coach Jones answered. He said it was the best designed offense because you don’t have to block two people and have double teams on some the other players. Coach Jones said they want to get to some of elements of that offense. Some teams have changed it up some to run it from the shotgun. Jones also said he has run the shotgun variation of it some at the high school level. But right now they have a throwing quarterback who can still run some but were scared to get him hurt this year and will look at adding some elements of it to the offense next year.
Another caller asked if Kendall Houston is a senior, which he is not. He is a redshirt freshman this year and will still has three years of eligibility left.
Jinni spoke on the radio show later that USA has 11 certified trainers which is the most in the conference. Plus they have five athletic training facilities where most schools only have one or two. Also Jinni spoke about what happens on gameday. When a player comes off the field and needs to see a trainer, she lets the position coach know and keeps them well informed about what is going on. If they are getting evaluated, taped or need to go to the locker room, she is finding the position coaches and letting them know the status of that player.
Jags face tough test in Cal Poly
Coach Turner with the offensive line, including several key seniors who will be graduating.
South Alabama’s second Senior Day will recognize 14 student-athletes playing in their final collegiate game on Saturday. The final regular season game for both schools.
But it will not be an easy contest for the Jaguars. While Cal Poly’s record is 5-5 on the season, with two of the losses against FBS (formerly Division I-A) schools and their most recent loss coming to Eastern Washington, the defending FCS (formerly Division I-AA) champion 53-51 in triple-overtime.
The Jaguar defense has not allowed a touchdown in the last eight quarters and currently ranks 20th in FCS by only allowing an average of 19.6 points per game and are among the top 12 nationally in pass (168.9 yards per game average) and total defense (302 yards per game on average).
Cal Poly will bring their unique mixture of triple and spread option attack to Ladd-Peebles Stadium. They average 257.7 rushing yards per game, which is 7th in FCS. They average 31.5 points per game as well.
The Cal Poly quarterback Andre Broadous has rushed for 617 yards and 17 touchdowns while also going 92-of-159 passing attempts for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns. Jake Romanelli has gained 966 yards and seven touchdowns rushing as well. Mark Rodgers has rushed for another 468 yards and Deonte Williams has added 357 yards as well. All three are averaging over four yards per rush.
Defensively, Cal Poly is giving up an average of 415 yards per game and 32 points per game. They also give up an average of 279.8 yards per game passing.
Jordan Means is tied for 19th in the nation in FCS averaging 1.33 field goals per game and 65th in the nation in scoreing with 6.44 points per game. While Scott Garber is 13th in the nation with a 42 yards per punt average with two downed inside the 20 yard line in three of the last four games.
Kickoff at Ladd-Peebles Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Jaguar Prowl is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. at the south side of the stadium with the gates opening at 2 p.m.
The Jaguar Seniors will be recognized at 3:35 p.m., 25 minutes before kickoff.
Monday press conference November 15 2011
The Jaguar defense lines us against MVSU.
South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones is joined by cornerback Anton Graphenreed and tight end Kevin Helms for schools Monday press conference.
Coach Jones kicked it off with his opening statement. “We have a very good football team coming in this week, they might be the best team that’s played in Ladd-Peebles Stadium against us in my opinion. It’s a very disciplined team that runs the triple option, which always presents problems. To me, it’s still the best offense ever invented because basically — without getting too deep into it — at the side of attack there are two guys you don’t have to block, so you create double teams for everybody else. Thank goodness we’ve had some time to work on it over the last couple of weeks, I don’t know how you do it when you have just one week to prepare for an offense like this.”
“They run the football a lot, but they are very diverse in what they do running it, so it will be a big challenge for our defense. They are averaging 31.5 points and 257 yards rushing per game, so they are obviously very sound. Their quarterback [Andre] Broadus runs the ship very well, and he can also throw it which creates problems as well. [Jake] Romanelli is a big, imposing fullback and is their leading rusher averaging about 100 yard per game. Needless to say, we have a challenge defensively.”
“Offensively we are going up a very sound football team up and down the line of scrimmage, they are really coached well and have good football players. In the secondary they’ve got a start in Asa Jackson; a lot of NFL teams are looking hard at him, from what I hear he is going to be a draft pick.”
“Their kicker has most of his kickoffs go to the end zone, which creates problems when you start your offense on the 20-yard line every time; that’s a big weapon for them.”
When asked on whether Cal Poly is similar to anyone the Jags have faced this season, Coach Jones answered, “No, they are just totally different. The analogy would be to look at the service academies or Georgia Tech with what they do offensively. They are very disciplined an know what they are doing.”
The next question posed to Coach Jones was about the senior class. “The seniors, in my opinion, have been as crucial to the success of this football program as anything that you could think of. You can talk about facilities or a lot of different things that we’ve done to get this program going, but these seniors have come in and paid a dear price. They have done things the right way — we always talk about fundamentally building a strong foundation — and their leadership has been tremendous.
“I think we will go on for years and years because of what they have done the last three seasons, so my hat is off to them for what they have done for this program.”
Coach Jones then spoke about how important is is to end the season on a good note. “You always want to end the season on a good note, I think that is very important because I always think it kind of carries over to the next year. I don’t know if it’s any different than any other year, I just think the fact that these guys have been working their tails off and these seniors who have been around for three years — the guys who helped start this program — I’m sure they don’t want to leave on a bad note. And our younger guys want to send them off on a good note because they appreciate what those guys have done.”
“Our guys have been focused last week and this week, they understand we have a real good team coming in here and it’s going to take all we can do to beat them.”
Senior cornerback Anton Graphenreed spoke about playing his final collegiate game. “It really means a lot to me. I have put in a lot of time and my teammates have as well, especially the guys who came in with me. We worked really hard and tried to give our all this season. I just want to go out on a good note and leave one more lasting impression on the younger guys so they can carry that with them throughout their careers.”
Graphenreed spoke about the importance to him and the team about finishing undefeated at home in your career. “It’s extremely important because we work really hard to say that we never lost period. Things happen and that’s life, but we could always hang our hats on the fact that no one could say they came into our house and took it. When you say this is your home and you have great fans – we have awesome fans – you just don’t want to disappoint. I just want to continue that tradition, going out with another win at home and making sure that lasts for a very long time.”
Graphenreed next spoke about preparing for a run-oriented offense. “Our scout team is great. They prepare us for every game, and they work hard and keep bringing their all to practice. We need the closest thing to the real thing as possible before we get to the game. You don’t want to just go through the motions at practice and then you’re shocked when the game begins because you aren’t ready for it. But there is a lot of preparation that goes into it.”
Senior tight end Kevin Helms spoke about his final collegiate game as well. “It means a lot to me as well. When anything comes to an end in your life, you know you’re going to miss it no matter how hard it was. I am going to miss it every day, I’m sure. But all we can do is go out there and get this one last win to help the program out as much as we can before we are gone. I love my teammates, so of course I want to win.”
Helms also spoke about the importance of finishing undefeated at home in his career. “I like the streak of not being beaten at home. It makes you feel good – like no one can come into your house and mess around with you. You don’t like having that feeling that someone can come push you around. I would like to keep a goose egg in the loss column.”
Helms also spoke about the state of the program when he arrived. “When I got here it wasn’t much of anything. I came from a junior college that won a national championship my freshman year. I only lost two games in two years. Then when I came here in the beginning, you hardly had anyone who was going to be a college athlete. There were a few that were there and some are still here, but most of them are gone. I knew it was going to be better. But the first season we played, we were just a completely different team. We had a lot of good athletes, and we played good football. Then we got more transfers in the next year, and we had some freshmen come in and it was even better. We were just confident. And this third year, it has been even better. We have had some injuries along the way, but we have improved 100 percent every year, and I can only imagine that it will keep improving with the coaches recruiting and all of our facilities. It has been a fun experience. I love playing football, and I love playing here. It is a great place with great coaches who really do care about you. And we have great fans – people always show up to the games.”
South Alabama will host Cal Poly on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium with kickoff set for 4 p.m. This Senior Day game will be aired locally on UTV44 and nationally on ESPN3.com depending on your ISP for access.