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Hello Black Hat Nation! It is officially gameday. The team and I are heading to UVA-Wise for tonight's game, and I wanted to take a moment to send you a few program updates as we kick off the 2022 season.
When the dust settled we returned 90 plus upper-classmen and brought on 70 newcomers. As a program we met and exceeded our retention and recruiting goals, which was a testament of all the hard work my coaching staff has put in from January 2022 to present. Like always there are always anticipated losses during training camp and this year was no different. As a staff we designed and coordinated a training camp that required a mental and physical toughness that was representative of the traditions of Black Hat Football.
We began training camp with 164 potential Black Hats and broke camp with 159, which was a 97% retention rate for what was a physically demanding training camp. I have no doubt that the effort we put into our team during the recruiting process and summer call-list provides us with a foundation that makes it hard for our young men to easily walk away.
I’m sure there will be additional losses along the way as we move into the competition season. The game of football can only be played with 11 players at one time and everyone will not be happy. As a coaching staff it is our job to prepare Team #68 and create an expectation and level of competition that requires every member of this team to maximize his potential daily. We have established a roster foundation that will allow us to establish depth and accountability.
As we transition into week one we are in a solid position as a team. Because our training camp was so physical, we are dinged up a bit, but are quickly getting healthier by the day. As a head coach there is a delicate balance between managing team health, but one thing is for certain, there is no substitute for physicality! We have a theme around here now, that we will establish the toughness calluses required to compete at a high level!
Key Program Highlights
Offense
I’m pleased with the progress we have made to date. The offensive unit has grown in ways that I could only imagine from January to present. Our search for an identity of toughness is coming together. We are committed to running the football with a physicality that is easily recognized as intentional. Our offensive personnel will provide us with the ability to be flexible when necessary. The QB position is very promising, our stable of Running Backs is encouraging, our Wide Receiver unit could be very special, Tight Ends are developing daily, Super Back (FB) has provided our offense with a unique addition, and our Offensive Line is getting better by the day. The key is to provide this unit with realistic goals in the early stages of the season and commit to flawless execution of our foundation and not focus on variety. We need to establish game day experience and confidence during the non-conference schedule and prepare for the Old Dominion push.
Defense
This group has worked extremely hard during training camp. It has been a huge advantage to begin training camp being familiar with the system unlike last season when the introduction of the system happened during the 2021 training camp. Our defensive personnel arrived with a far better schematic foundation and have gotten better every day. The defensive line has been very impressive with the return of three starters and has set the tone for what we want to look like at the line of scrimmage. Our linebacker unit has a wealth of talent led by returning senior and team captain Drew Hill. We have established some much needed depth, but still require the experience of the non-conference schedule to build the game day confidence we will need prior to starting league play. Our secondary is getting better daily and with the help of Coach Dave Davis as another set of eyes, we are establishing a foundation of detail and ownership to execution and technique. We have the raw talent and will continue to work at the little things. The defensive unit is a close knitted group that plays extremely hard at all times. The goal is to harness that aggression and take our execution to the next level.
Special Teams
Our specialist group is led by returner Seth Deaton who will be taking on the bulk of the place kicking responsibilities as we begin the 2022 season. QB Josh Luckett will still be handling the punting duties providing us with a right now threat every time we line up to punt. Parker Watkins returns and provides us with consistency at the long and short snapping position. We have established a solid specialist roster and each player continues to grow with the help of Co-Coordinators Sam Martin and Scott McConnell along with the analyst and coaching support of Pete Shaw. Special Teams will be critical to the success of Team #68 and we have committed a great deal of time during training camp to stabilize our units.
Currently we are in the second week of classes and as a staff we are putting in the off the field work to establish our academic tracking systems. In my experience as an assistant coach and head coach, the commitment to academic success has always been a priority. The off the field commitment to academic success and strength development requires an enormous amount of man hours! Our success with retention and recruiting requires our staff to work just as hard off the field as we do on the field.
My goal is to provide a winning program on the field and off the field, creating a product that players and families see value in. To do what we do, the WORK HAS TO BE DONE!!! My goal is always clear: find a way to make 40 West the place to be for our guys and to take over the Old Dominion Conference and to be the top small college program in this region. To do so the house must be taken care of – “A bird in the hand is worth two on the bush.”
Important Program Information
Season Tickets
Ferrum Football is offering season tickets! $40 provides one ticket to each home game in Adams Stadium for the 2022-2023 season. Purchase yours on the Football page at Ferrumpanthers.com or by clicking here.
Upcoming Games
- September 1: Game #1 on the road v. D2 UVA-Wise; kickoff at 7:00 PM
- September 10: Home opener v. Muskingam University; kickoff at 1:00 PM. Come early for tailgating beginning at 8:00 AM and the Black Hat Walk at 11:00 PM.
- October 15: Homecoming: v. Washington & Lee; kickoff at 2:00 PM.
- Come early for tailgating beginning at 8:00 AM and the Black Hat Walk at 12:00 PM.
Local Hotel Information
Bottom Line Reminders
The question I ask you is the same question I asked the Athletic Director when I arrived, what do we really want Ferrum Football to be?
- Simply competitive in the Old Dominion .500
- Old Dominion contenders every other year
- Old Dominion front runners every year
- First round of the NCAA playoff caliber
- or National Championship worthy?????
Men there are true levels of expectations and you all know what my initial target is and that is to take over the Old Dominion. To do so it requires more than just what’s on the surface. There are so many more challenges within these walls that go beyond nice facilities and I need you all to ask the right questions as well as be ready to step up as much as you can and as little as you can. EVERYTHING MATTERS AND EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. Big time programs require a hardworking committed staff, and relentless support from our alumni, families and friends of the program.
Your support will help us grow the program and provide critical needs such as a full-time strength and conditioning coach, and additional field coach, and academic support staff member and help with improvements to the stadium, such as a new scoreboard and paving of the press box lot.
I’m also looking for class representatives to help with program outreach. The True Black Hat Club Council Group needs representatives from the 60s,70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Please let me know if you are interested.
I want Ferrum Football to be significant in this region and to do so it takes support and understanding of our advantages and disadvantages. Any support you can provide no matter how large or small is greatly appreciated. Many hands make for lighter work!!! With your support I truly believe we can get Black Hat Football to the level we all expect. THE WORK HAS TO BE DONE IF YOU WANT THE RESULTS!
My goal is to create as much exposure to Ferrum College and our storied football program as possible. It means something to be a Black Hat and we have something special going on back here on 40 West! We will find a way!! I’m all about finding Ferrum Guys and Ferrum Families and with your help we can get it done. We will find a way to Take Over the Old Dominion Conference and to do so I need The Black Hat Nation behind me!
I look forward to seeing each of you in the stands soon.
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