Ternes Comes Through . . . and Renteria

David Ternes comes through on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that I issued.  I think he went a little small with his bucket, but at least he completed the challenge!  Sounds like he has called out the other three captains of the team, Pierce Gustafson, Richard Renteria, and Sam Poulos.  Can't wait to see them accept the challenge.

Here it is, David Ternes:  David Ice Bucket Challenge

And Renteria follows: Richard Renteria Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Sunday afternoon I was issued an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from former colleague Art Link, now an assistant coach at Lafayette University.  I had seen clips of other coaches and athletes accepting the challenge, but didn't really know much about it.  All I knew was, I had 24 hours to accept the challenge and to post the video to youtube.  Well, mission accomplished.  Coaches Martinez and Plato took great joy in aiding in the process.  Check it out!

Before completing the challenge I decided to look into it a little.  It was started by a former Division 1 athlete who has been living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since 2012.  The idea was to help raise awareness and to help increase donations.  According to the challenge, if you don't complete it in 24 hours you are encouraged to make a donation to the ALS charity of their choice.  Though we've completed the challenge, the Pioneers will be making a donation once the season is complete.  Proceeds from gameday t-shirt and hat sales will go towards the donation.

As the final step of the challenge, I've passed it on!  Director of Athletics Greg Wallace, Assistant AD and head tennis coach Andy Hamilton, and senior student-athlete and team captain David Ternes now have 24 hours to complete the challenge.  Good luck!

Pioneers Complete Their Coaching Staff

Cortney Roberts and Gene Blalock

The 2014 Pioneers have completed their coaching staff with the additions of Gene Blalock and Cortney Roberts.  Blalock most recently coached at his alma mater, Robinson High School, in Tampa, FL.  This will be Roberts first season in coaching, having just finished graduate school at Austin Peay St. in Tennessee.

I will be in my fifth season as the head coach, once again coordinating the offense and coaching the offensive linemen.  Head baseball coach Tim Hollibaugh will be the assistant head coach and will work with the defensive line.  Jason Martinez returns for his fifth season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, while Nick Plato will be in his third season as the special teams coordinator and wide receivers and quarterbacks coach.  Nate Smith will also be in his fifth season, working with the linebackers and kickers.  Tom Brinkman '13 returns for his second season working with the defensive backs.  Blalock will also work with the defensive backs and Roberts will coach the running backs.

Blalock was an outstanding defensive lineman at Upper Iowa University and had made several coaching stops before landing back at Robinson High School.  Roberts was a walk-on defensive back at West Alabama.  He also served as a student trainer at West Alabama, and completed his Masters Degree as an athletic trainer at Austin Peay.

I'm excited to add both of these guys to the staff.  Excitement is high for 2014.  It's Time!

Autumn's Here!

Well, maybe not quite, but with the mild weather of the past few weeks, the start of NFL training camps, and the turning of the calendar to August it sure feels like autumn and football!

Our schedule is a little different this year, our bye week is technically week 1, so we don't report to campus until August 18.  Our guys are chomping at the bit to get back and get started, but fortunately for us coaches we've still got a full two weeks of preparation.  We've got a great group of guys coming in this year, and we've recently finalized the staff (more on that on Monday) and we're as excited as can be.

Regardless of your level of official involvement in the game, this video should get you in the right frame of mind.  The 2014 season is right around the corner.  For the Pioneers, It's Time!