SFA Football Fall Camp Report | Coaching Staff
8/4/2018 10:55:00 AM | Football
The ‘Jacks hit the practice field in helmets, jerseys and shorts for the final time of fall camp before putting on shoulder pads Sunday
The 2018 Stephen F. Austin football season is just around the corner and the Lumberjacks have begun fall camp, beginning the countdown to the 92nd season of Lumberjack football in Nacogdoches. Throughout the preseason camp, SFAJacks.com will break down each position or area of the team, beginning with the SFA coaching staff.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Day two of Stephen F. Austin football's 2018 fall camp got underway Saturday morning as the Lumberjacks returned to the grass of the two practice fields behind the SFA athletics fieldhouse. The 'Jacks worked out in helmets, jerseys and shorts for the final time of their preseason camp and continued to work on the fundamentals of the game and playbook install.
"Another great day out here for us", said SFA interim head coach Jeff Byrd. "Plenty of excitement, moving around, guys playing fast. I challenged them a bit towards the end of practice, I thought we lost some our focus, had some fatigue set in a little bit, and that's to be expected on day two, but that adrenaline's gotta kick in so they can lock in and take care of what they're supposed to do."
A warm and sunny Saturday morning greeted SFA as it began its warmup and stretching routine, before the team into ball drills and some special teams situations. After each position group broke out into its own drills for run and pass emphasis, the team came back together to run some full team plays. The team then broke back out into groups for drills, including ball security drills, blocking exercises and 1 on 1 play with the wideouts and defensive backs.
"We had a good day out here throwing and catching the ball", Byrd said. "I thought the quarterbacks had a much better day today and if we can continue to improve there we're going to be okay."
The offense then got together to run approximately 24 plays in third down situations, before adding in the O-line for another 40 plays of different varities, meant to further install the Lumberjack playbook with this season's squad. Following the conclusion of the team plays session, Byrd huddled the group together to close out practice, praising the team's improved effort and focus.
"Without question we were much cleaner today, we got less penalties and while we had some bad snaps out here and we've got to clean that up, overall I'm very pleased with where we were today", Byrd explained. "Tomorrow we get to put shoulder pads on, so we get to play a little more football so we'll put more emphasis on blocking and getting off blocks."
The Coaching Staff
With head coach Clint Conque being suspended on Monday, June 18, pending an investigation into alleged violations of university policy, defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd was named interim head coach on Tuesday, June 19.
Coach Byrd enters his second year with the Lumberjack football program after serving as SFA's defensive coordinator during the 2017 season. A coaching veteran known for aggressive defensive play, Byrd has spent the last 15 seasons in the defensive coordinator role and came to Nacogdoches after serving as the University of Tennessee at Martin's defensive coordinator for five seasons. Back in early March, Byrd was promoted to assistant head coach.
Although the Lumberjacks' coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball remains intact from the 2017 season, SFA's offensive leadership has changed. Three new faces appear for the Lumberjacks' offensive coaching staff in 2018 as several of SFA's needs were addressed with the addition of Kevin Barbay, Jeff Bowen and Dan Clark.
The trio bring a variety of experience and success to Texas' oldest town, while each is an expert in their respective positions. In addition to being named offensive coordinator prior to the start of fall camp, Barbay handles coaching the quarterback position as Bowen coaches tight ends and Clark is responsible for the offensive line. Barbay was most recently at the University of Florida, while Bowen served as Northwestern State's offensive line coach in 2017 and Clark the previous two seasons as Illinois State's co-offensive coordinator.
Other staffing changes for the program include fifth-year assistant coach Jeremy Hammock, who handled the tight end corps for the previous four seasons, making the switch to overseeing the Lumberjack running backs. Hammock returns to coaching that position after serving in the same role as an assistant at Central Arkansas. Additionally, seventh-year assistant coach Jeremy Moses, who coaches SFA's wide receivers group, was named co-offensive coordinator prior to the start of fall camp.
With Barbay as the offensive coordinator and Moses the co-offensive coordinator, the 'Jacks will have plenty of leadership in their offensive play calling after the departure of 2017 offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and offensive line coach Bill Best, who took a position with Rice football in Houston.
Defensively, Byrd will continue to be assisted by Tom Howe, who begins his fifth season on the SFA coaching staff as the Lumberjacks' defensive line coach. Ben Beasley (safeties), Tony Gilbert (cornerbacks) and Josh Lawson (linebackers) all enter their second year in Nacogdoches as defensive coaches.
Both Howe and Hammock oversee SFA's special teams as co-special teams coordinators, while Lawson is in charge of kickoffs. Kail Kaiser also begins his fifth year as the program's director of football operations.
Coach Barbay and Moses will have help from first-year offensive assistant Hayden Wall and coach Byrd will rely on help from first-year defensive assistant Dylan Swarers.
Fall Camp Continues
SFA's 20 total practices of preseason camp continue tomorrow with the Lumberjacks' first afternoon practice in shoulder pads at 3:15 p.m. Monday, SFA will return to its morning practice schedule with an 8:15 a.m. session once again in shells, before the 'Jacks host their first full-pad practice Tuesday morning.
With the exception of the Lumberjacks' three intra-squad scrimmages, all practices will take place on the two grass practice fields behind the SFA athletics fieldhouse.
The complete fall camp schedule can be found below.
2018 SFA Football Fall Camp Schedule
Practice #3 | Sunday, Aug. 5 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #4 | Monday, Aug. 6 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #5 | Tuesday, Aug. 7 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #6 | Wednesday, Aug. 8 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
OFF | Thursday, Aug. 9
Practice #7 | Friday, Aug. 10 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Scrimmage #1 | Saturday, Aug. 11 | 8:15 a.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
Practice #9 | Sunday, Aug. 12 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #10 | Monday, Aug. 13 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #11 | Tuesday, Aug. 14 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #12 | Wednesday, Aug. 15 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #13 | Thursday, Aug. 16 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
OFF | Friday, Aug. 17
Scrimmage #2 | Saturday, Aug. 18 | 8:15 a.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
Practice #15 | Sunday, Aug. 19 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #16 | Monday, Aug. 20 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #17 | Tuesday, Aug. 21 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #18 | Wednesday, Aug. 22 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #19 | Thursday, Aug. 23 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Scrimmage #3 | Friday, Aug. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
The 'Jacks open up their 2018 season Saturday, Sept. 1 with a trip to Starkville, Mississippi, to face Southeastern Conference mainstay Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, available everywhere via the ESPN app. SFA hosts NCAA Division II Tarleton State in a 6 p.m. tilt for its home opener Saturday, Sept. 8.
SFA Football Season Tickets
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the 2018 SFA football season can visit the new home for SFA Tickets at SFATickets.comor contact the SFA Athletic Ticket Office at 936-468-JACK.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Lumberjack football throughout the 2018 season.
-SFA-
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Day two of Stephen F. Austin football's 2018 fall camp got underway Saturday morning as the Lumberjacks returned to the grass of the two practice fields behind the SFA athletics fieldhouse. The 'Jacks worked out in helmets, jerseys and shorts for the final time of their preseason camp and continued to work on the fundamentals of the game and playbook install.
"Another great day out here for us", said SFA interim head coach Jeff Byrd. "Plenty of excitement, moving around, guys playing fast. I challenged them a bit towards the end of practice, I thought we lost some our focus, had some fatigue set in a little bit, and that's to be expected on day two, but that adrenaline's gotta kick in so they can lock in and take care of what they're supposed to do."
A warm and sunny Saturday morning greeted SFA as it began its warmup and stretching routine, before the team into ball drills and some special teams situations. After each position group broke out into its own drills for run and pass emphasis, the team came back together to run some full team plays. The team then broke back out into groups for drills, including ball security drills, blocking exercises and 1 on 1 play with the wideouts and defensive backs.
"We had a good day out here throwing and catching the ball", Byrd said. "I thought the quarterbacks had a much better day today and if we can continue to improve there we're going to be okay."
The offense then got together to run approximately 24 plays in third down situations, before adding in the O-line for another 40 plays of different varities, meant to further install the Lumberjack playbook with this season's squad. Following the conclusion of the team plays session, Byrd huddled the group together to close out practice, praising the team's improved effort and focus.
"Without question we were much cleaner today, we got less penalties and while we had some bad snaps out here and we've got to clean that up, overall I'm very pleased with where we were today", Byrd explained. "Tomorrow we get to put shoulder pads on, so we get to play a little more football so we'll put more emphasis on blocking and getting off blocks."
The Coaching Staff
With head coach Clint Conque being suspended on Monday, June 18, pending an investigation into alleged violations of university policy, defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd was named interim head coach on Tuesday, June 19.
Coach Byrd enters his second year with the Lumberjack football program after serving as SFA's defensive coordinator during the 2017 season. A coaching veteran known for aggressive defensive play, Byrd has spent the last 15 seasons in the defensive coordinator role and came to Nacogdoches after serving as the University of Tennessee at Martin's defensive coordinator for five seasons. Back in early March, Byrd was promoted to assistant head coach.
Although the Lumberjacks' coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball remains intact from the 2017 season, SFA's offensive leadership has changed. Three new faces appear for the Lumberjacks' offensive coaching staff in 2018 as several of SFA's needs were addressed with the addition of Kevin Barbay, Jeff Bowen and Dan Clark.
The trio bring a variety of experience and success to Texas' oldest town, while each is an expert in their respective positions. In addition to being named offensive coordinator prior to the start of fall camp, Barbay handles coaching the quarterback position as Bowen coaches tight ends and Clark is responsible for the offensive line. Barbay was most recently at the University of Florida, while Bowen served as Northwestern State's offensive line coach in 2017 and Clark the previous two seasons as Illinois State's co-offensive coordinator.
Other staffing changes for the program include fifth-year assistant coach Jeremy Hammock, who handled the tight end corps for the previous four seasons, making the switch to overseeing the Lumberjack running backs. Hammock returns to coaching that position after serving in the same role as an assistant at Central Arkansas. Additionally, seventh-year assistant coach Jeremy Moses, who coaches SFA's wide receivers group, was named co-offensive coordinator prior to the start of fall camp.
With Barbay as the offensive coordinator and Moses the co-offensive coordinator, the 'Jacks will have plenty of leadership in their offensive play calling after the departure of 2017 offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and offensive line coach Bill Best, who took a position with Rice football in Houston.
Defensively, Byrd will continue to be assisted by Tom Howe, who begins his fifth season on the SFA coaching staff as the Lumberjacks' defensive line coach. Ben Beasley (safeties), Tony Gilbert (cornerbacks) and Josh Lawson (linebackers) all enter their second year in Nacogdoches as defensive coaches.
Both Howe and Hammock oversee SFA's special teams as co-special teams coordinators, while Lawson is in charge of kickoffs. Kail Kaiser also begins his fifth year as the program's director of football operations.
Coach Barbay and Moses will have help from first-year offensive assistant Hayden Wall and coach Byrd will rely on help from first-year defensive assistant Dylan Swarers.
Fall Camp Continues
SFA's 20 total practices of preseason camp continue tomorrow with the Lumberjacks' first afternoon practice in shoulder pads at 3:15 p.m. Monday, SFA will return to its morning practice schedule with an 8:15 a.m. session once again in shells, before the 'Jacks host their first full-pad practice Tuesday morning.
With the exception of the Lumberjacks' three intra-squad scrimmages, all practices will take place on the two grass practice fields behind the SFA athletics fieldhouse.
The complete fall camp schedule can be found below.
2018 SFA Football Fall Camp Schedule
Practice #3 | Sunday, Aug. 5 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #4 | Monday, Aug. 6 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #5 | Tuesday, Aug. 7 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #6 | Wednesday, Aug. 8 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
OFF | Thursday, Aug. 9
Practice #7 | Friday, Aug. 10 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Scrimmage #1 | Saturday, Aug. 11 | 8:15 a.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
Practice #9 | Sunday, Aug. 12 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #10 | Monday, Aug. 13 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #11 | Tuesday, Aug. 14 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #12 | Wednesday, Aug. 15 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #13 | Thursday, Aug. 16 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
OFF | Friday, Aug. 17
Scrimmage #2 | Saturday, Aug. 18 | 8:15 a.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
Practice #15 | Sunday, Aug. 19 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #16 | Monday, Aug. 20 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #17 | Tuesday, Aug. 21 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Full Pads
Practice #18 | Wednesday, Aug. 22 | 3:15 p.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Practice #19 | Thursday, Aug. 23 | 8:15 a.m. | Practice Fields | Shells
Scrimmage #3 | Friday, Aug. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Homer Bryce Stadium | Full Pads
- Practice time and location subject to change dependent on weather
The 'Jacks open up their 2018 season Saturday, Sept. 1 with a trip to Starkville, Mississippi, to face Southeastern Conference mainstay Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, available everywhere via the ESPN app. SFA hosts NCAA Division II Tarleton State in a 6 p.m. tilt for its home opener Saturday, Sept. 8.
SFA Football Season Tickets
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the 2018 SFA football season can visit the new home for SFA Tickets at SFATickets.comor contact the SFA Athletic Ticket Office at 936-468-JACK.
Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com, as well as SFA's social media platforms, for complete coverage of Lumberjack football throughout the 2018 season.
-SFA-
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