Thursday, September 01, 2005

It's football season again...

Some of you may not know that I played football in college (fullback). A guy I played with is the new head coach of our college's football team. He is replacing a man who I had the utmost respect for (Bob Young) as a coach, and as a Christ follower. Coach Young took a weak team that most other teams considered a win on their schedule and built a football powerhouse, winning one national title (NAIA) and playing in two other title games in the past 12 years. Under Coach Young's guidance, USF had a record of 172-69-3. Kalen DeBoer has huge shoes to fill, but I think he will fill them well. Below is an article from my hometown paper that mentions him and reminded me of the coaching change.

USF's new athletic facility to be ready next week

matt zimmer
mzimmer@argusleader.com

Published: 09/1/05
After a great deal of anticipation (and waiting) the University of Sioux Falls football team should finally be digging its cleats into the FieldTurf at its new athletic facility next week.

The practice field that the school had hoped to have ready in time for camp has been slowed by early summer rains, but coach Kalen DeBoer, whose team has been preparing for the season at Howard Wood Field, says that it will finally be ready.

"We're hoping to have our last walkthrough out there on Friday," said the rookie coach. "Next Tuesday we'll definitely be out there."

As for Saturday's season opener, it'll be the first Cougar football contest with someone other than Bob Young in charge since 1982.

It might seem overwhelming for DeBoer, just 30, to be facing title expectations, but he said everything is going according to plan as he prepares for his debut.

"This week has come together real well," DeBoer said. "We've got players finding their niche, and we're really starting to see some consistency in our special teams units and our defense.

"I don't feel nervous really, just confident and anxious."

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