Post by Bornthrilla on Nov 20, 2004 9:21:10 GMT -5
George Small plans to do quick-fix with A&T
11-20-04
By Rob Daniels Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- For coach George Small, it might be politically expedient to pretend N.C. A&T's immediate return to football greatness is automatic. It also would be misleading at best.
Regardless of the outcome in Charlotte against South Carolina State, A&T will conclude a disappointing season today (2, C-SET Time Warner Cable Channel 126). And there is a sense of urgency to stop the bad stuff before it becomes a trend. Asked to describe his recruiting strategy for the coming weeks, Small did not take safe haven in euphemism.
"Do we hit the junior college circuit and get immediate help? I'd say the answer to that is yes," said the coach, who directed his first group of Aggies to the 2003 MEAC championship. "Whether you want to face it or not, you're in a rebuilding process."
That's chiefly on offense, where injuries and other attrition have severely limited the Aggies. Among the nation's 117 NCAA Division I-AA teams, A&T ranks 95th in rushing, 108th in total offense and 109th in scoring.
In last week's seven-turnover loss at Hampton, Micheaux Hollingsworth was the only scholarship running back to carry the ball, and he's a senior. He's also the team's leading rusher -- at 320 yards for the season.
Further competition at quarterback and wide receiver wouldn't hurt, either. Marshall Glenn has taken most of the snaps at QB, but has thrown 15 interceptions to only six touchdowns. Kenny Perry and Doug Brown are solid possession receivers, but they need a complementary presence.
"We need to upgrade" the talent, Small said. "We need faster receivers. We need playmakers."
Small said he'll evaluate things after spring practice, but he is not committed to radical change.
Defensively, the program expects nine starters back from a unit that ranks 20th nationally in yardage allowed per game. The number of returning starters does not include former High Point Central star Brandon Greeson, a lineman who transferred from Nebraska in August and played only three games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.
"He was just starting to learn the system," defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee said. "Then he went out. That did hurt us. He will be a great addition."
Lee said his group is perhaps one or two junior college players from excellence.
"I really don't think we need an overhaul," he said.
As far as junior college players are concerned, A&T probably is committing itself to out-of-state scholarships because top-notch JUCO football is confined almost exclusively to the Midwest and West. Like all but three schools in the UNC system, A&T funds an athletics department without major football television revenue and must therefore offer most of its grants to in-state players. In other words, there is little if any margin for error in the pursuit of immediate help.
The 2005 schedule will include the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis against Tennessee State, the Aggie-Eagle Classic in Raleigh against N.C. Central and a game at Elon. And, the Aggies, hope, general improvement.
"That's ultimately up to us as far as the level of commitment we make as a family in this program," Small said. "From the administration to the staff to the players, it's up to all of us to enhance the program."
11-20-04
By Rob Daniels Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- For coach George Small, it might be politically expedient to pretend N.C. A&T's immediate return to football greatness is automatic. It also would be misleading at best.
Regardless of the outcome in Charlotte against South Carolina State, A&T will conclude a disappointing season today (2, C-SET Time Warner Cable Channel 126). And there is a sense of urgency to stop the bad stuff before it becomes a trend. Asked to describe his recruiting strategy for the coming weeks, Small did not take safe haven in euphemism.
"Do we hit the junior college circuit and get immediate help? I'd say the answer to that is yes," said the coach, who directed his first group of Aggies to the 2003 MEAC championship. "Whether you want to face it or not, you're in a rebuilding process."
That's chiefly on offense, where injuries and other attrition have severely limited the Aggies. Among the nation's 117 NCAA Division I-AA teams, A&T ranks 95th in rushing, 108th in total offense and 109th in scoring.
In last week's seven-turnover loss at Hampton, Micheaux Hollingsworth was the only scholarship running back to carry the ball, and he's a senior. He's also the team's leading rusher -- at 320 yards for the season.
Further competition at quarterback and wide receiver wouldn't hurt, either. Marshall Glenn has taken most of the snaps at QB, but has thrown 15 interceptions to only six touchdowns. Kenny Perry and Doug Brown are solid possession receivers, but they need a complementary presence.
"We need to upgrade" the talent, Small said. "We need faster receivers. We need playmakers."
Small said he'll evaluate things after spring practice, but he is not committed to radical change.
Defensively, the program expects nine starters back from a unit that ranks 20th nationally in yardage allowed per game. The number of returning starters does not include former High Point Central star Brandon Greeson, a lineman who transferred from Nebraska in August and played only three games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.
"He was just starting to learn the system," defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee said. "Then he went out. That did hurt us. He will be a great addition."
Lee said his group is perhaps one or two junior college players from excellence.
"I really don't think we need an overhaul," he said.
As far as junior college players are concerned, A&T probably is committing itself to out-of-state scholarships because top-notch JUCO football is confined almost exclusively to the Midwest and West. Like all but three schools in the UNC system, A&T funds an athletics department without major football television revenue and must therefore offer most of its grants to in-state players. In other words, there is little if any margin for error in the pursuit of immediate help.
The 2005 schedule will include the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis against Tennessee State, the Aggie-Eagle Classic in Raleigh against N.C. Central and a game at Elon. And, the Aggies, hope, general improvement.
"That's ultimately up to us as far as the level of commitment we make as a family in this program," Small said. "From the administration to the staff to the players, it's up to all of us to enhance the program."