UNA optimistic about title dreams despite loss of coach, 17 starters
By Staff
Scot Beard
FORD CITY – Many football programs would love to be in the position of the University of North Alabama.
The Lions are ranked fifth in the USA Today Sports Weekly College Football NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 and are coming off four consecutive years with a playoff berth.
There are also quite a few programs that are thankful they are not in UNA's position as it heads into the 2009 season.
The Lions lost 17 starters from last year, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball. They are also completing a coaching transition.
"I think the amazing thing about coaching at a place like UNA is that you just had a 12-2 season, reached the semifinals of the playoffs and finished No. 3 in the nation," said new coach Terry Bowden. "Even though that team lost 21 seniors, the expectations are even higher."
Bowden, who is replacing former coach Mark Hudspeth, will have 58 players returning to this year's team. Among those players are All-American linebacker Michael Johnson – one of only six defensive starters returning – and All-American punter Will Batson – the only starter returning on special teams.
Center Mike Horton is the lone starter returning for the offense.
Bowden is counting on these players to help UNA continue its recent success.
"The strength of this team this year is the 58 players returning," Bowden said. "They are 58 players that know how to win and know everything about UNA."
Even though there are many players returning, there is a lack of experience. That is why Bowden has been aggressive in luring Division I transfers to Florence.
Bowden expects UNA to have 20 Division I and seven community college transfers by the end of the week.
"Maybe that is more transfers than usual because we lost 21 seniors and my connections are to Division I football because of my family," Bowden said.
One of those transfers, Harrison Beck, will be thrust into action immediately. The former North Carolina State and Nebraska quarterback is Bowden's choice for running the offense as the Lions prepare for the season.
One of Harrison's biggest targets will be another Division I transfer. Preston Parker, who led Florida State with 62 receptions for 791 yards in 2007, will suit up for the Lions in 2009.
Former Ole Miss receiver Mico McSwain will also play for UNA this year.
While the Division I players will offer some much needed assistance, there is also a concern about team chemistry as many of these players went to rival schools.
There are six players from Florida State and one from long-time rival Miami. McSwain will have to practice against a former Auburn defensive back.
Bowden has not let the potential conflicts skip his attention.
"All we have right now is a team of individuals that must come together. What we must now do is decide in the next 25 days whether we can be a team," Bowden said. "We have to give up our personal pride, our colors, our school mascots, our numbers we used to wear that somebody on this team already has. If we come together as a team, we will have a chance."
While Bowden has brought in several Division I transfers to help this year's team, he insists the future of the program is in the hands of the 58 returning players and the 27 freshmen that will come to campus this fall.
All but one of those freshmen are from Alabama, and 16 of the Alabama freshmen live within a 1 hour, 15 minute drive of Florence, so they are familiar with the rich history of UNA football.
As informed as they might be about the program, Bowden still touts the importance of the returning players.
"They have set the stage for what we are trying to do for our football team," Bowden said. "They will be the reason for our success."
