2016 SFA Fall Camp Report: Coaching Staff
8/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
The 2016 fall season is just around the corner as your Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have begun fall camp, beginning the countdown to the 90th season of Lumberjack football in 2016. Throughout camp, SFAJacks.com will break down each position, beginning with the SFA coaching staff.
SFA COACHING STAFF
Key Returners: Head coach Clint Conque, assistant head coach Demo Odems (WR), defensive coordinator Matt Williamson (LB), assistant coaches Bill Best (OL), Jeremy Hammock (TE/ST), Tom Howe (DE), Terry Mills (CB), Jeremy Moses (RB), Chris Van Horn (DT), Mike Walton (S/ST)
Key Loss: Offensive coordinator Matt Kubik (QB)
Key Newcomer: Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton (QB)
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – One of the most sought after tidbits of information for football teams across the country during the preseason is in regards to the amount of experience the team returns for the upcoming season. The number of starters and letterwinners returning and lost have become a staple in media and information guides and has become one of the barometers of predicting a team’s success.
If you were to apply that same standard to the Stephen F. Austin coaching staff, it would bode well for the Lumberjacks heading into 2016, reading 10 returners with just one lost.
For head coach Clint Conque, the advantage that consistency brings is immeasurable.
“It’s hard to state how much that consistency plays a factor,” Conque said. “For our players to see that familiar face every day for a number of seasons and know what is expected, what their style is, and build that personal relationship is huge. It is also a big advantage for our staff as we have built that familiarity with each other and have that trust and confidence.”
As coach Conque begins his third season in Nacogdoches, eight of the remaining 10 coaches are also entering their third seasons with the Lumberjacks. All five of the defensive coaches are entering season three, led by defensive coordinator Matt Williams (LB) and including assistants Tom Howe (DE), Chris Van Horn (DT), Terry Mills (CB) and Mike Walton (S).
Three of the five offensive coaches have been here for the duration of the Conque era, including assistant head coach Demo Odems (WR) and assistants Bill Best (OL) and Jeremy Hammock (TE). Ironically, the longest serving coach on the squad is also the youngest as running backs coach Jeremy Moses is entering his fifth season with his alma mater.
The lone change among the coaching staff came at the offensive coordinator position as former OC Matt Kubik assumed the same position at Louisiana-Monroe in the offseason, opening the door for coaching veteran Gary Crowton to make his way to Nacogdoches. Known for his high powered offensive scheme, Crowton’s vast coaching knowledge should prove to be another solid addition to an experienced staff.
“There is a great foundation here at SFA, and that is what intrigued me about the opportunity,” Crowton said. “Our offensive scheme will be similar to what has been done previously and I’m hoping to just be able to add to the success the program has enjoyed. It’s been a great experience thus far.”
While each coach brings his own unique style, the experience of the staff has become more and more evident in the attitude of the Lumberjack seniors, something which proved critical on day two of fall camp.
Getting underway at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the East Texas heat was out in full force with the temperature reading 98 degrees when practice got underway with a heat index over 110. With no wind anywhere to be found, it proved to be a sweltering 19-period practice, testing the ‘Jacks both physically and mentally.
As was the case in practice number one, SFA wasted little time upping the tempo as the ‘Jacks quickly began a series of two-minute drills with Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blaring over the loudspeakers. From there, the traditional positional drills, followed by situational series, consumed the majority of day two with a number of players making big plays on both sides of the ball.
But with the high temperatures lingering, a number of players battled cramps as practice began to wind down, prompting coach Conque and head athletic trainer Jeff Smith to offer a reminder of the importance of hydration.
It could become even more vital heading into Wednesday as the Lumberjacks don shells (helmet and shoulder pads) for the first time of fall camp with practice number three getting underway at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday’s practice marks the final day of installing SFA’s offensive and defensive schemes as the Lumberjacks begin preparations for the first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday at 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium.
2016 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN FALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 10 – 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, August 11 – 3:45 p.m.
Friday, August 12 – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 - 4:00 p.m. – SCRIMMAGE ONE
Monday, August 15 – 9:15 a.m. / 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16 – 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, August 17 – 9:15 a.m. / 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, August 18 – 3:45 p.m.
Friday, August 19 – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 20 – 4:00 p.m. – SCRIMMAGE TWO
Monday, August 22 – 9:15 a.m. / 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, August 23 – 9:15 a.m. – MEET THE JACKS (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 24 – 7:00 p.m. – SCRIMMAGE THREE
Thursday, August 25 – 9:15 a.m. / 3:45 p.m.
Friday, August 26 – 3:45 p.m
Saturday, August 27 – 9:00 a.m.
-SFA-
