CONWAY — Steve Campbell’s coaching staff at Central Arkansas was transformed for a myriad of reasons this offseason.
Five coaches left Campbell’s staff since UCA’s 7-4 finish — three left coaching to go into private business and two others left to become graduate assistants at major college programs. While rebuilding his group, Campbell was looking for a specific attitude more than any philosophy or expertise in a certain recruiting area.
When the whole staff finally got together just before fall camp began, Campbell was quick to relay what he likes best about his new group of coaches.
“They bring a lot of enthusiasm, and effort and just a high juice level,” he said.
Campbell said the enthusiasm level wasn’t necessarily a problem last season, but given an opportunity to remake a staff when five left on their own accord, he chose to pick replacements with an attitude level that won’t make for boring or quiet practices.
Among those are running backs coach Larry Warner, tight ends coach Ryan Howard, assistant defensive line coach Tony Davis, defensive line coach Larry Hart and cornerbacks coach Josh Jones.
They take the places of running backs coach Mike McCarty, who went into family business; D.J. Looney, who helped with the offensive line and went to be a graduate assistant at Georgia; Harland Bower, who coached outside linebackers but left to be a graduate assistant at Notre Dame; defensive line coach Dan Augustine, who went into private business, as did defensive backs coach Ron Carpenter.
All of the newcomers are relatively young, with most of them having played college football in the last 10 years.
“Football is a game of energy,” Campbell said. “Steps, technique, all that stuff is very, very important. But none of it is more important than your energy level, your enthusiasm level, your body language. What do you bring? I wanted people who were energy infusive.”
Campbell singled out Warner, who was a running back for him at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before playing at Troy.
“Larry was the most high-juiced guy that I ever coached,” Campbell said. “He’s on the go from the minute he’s out of bed doing back flips.”
Warner said he got to campus in January knowing that was almost as important as tutoring running backs.
“Exciting, running around, just bringing energy — that’s my base philosophy,” Warner said. “Just have fun and enjoy what you’re doing.”
The Bears will if they can improve on their 2015 season even slightly.
They went 7-2 to finish third int he Southland Conference last year, losing only to FCS playoff participants McNeese State and Sam Houston State at home.
The Bears return a quarterback who started eight games last year in Hayden Hildebrand and their top three receivers, but lost their top three rusher and four starters on the offensive line. Still, they like a group, particularly with running backs led by Antwon Wells, Darrien Daniels and Kelton Warren.
Even if a few unfamiliar faces, it’s a confident offensive group, said receiver Desmond Smith, a Bentonville native who led the Southland in catches per game last season.
“Darrien, he’s ready, he’s hungry, he wants it,” Smith said. “He’s been on the sideline for three years and he’s saying ‘Give me the ball, I’m ready to take over this team and lead it.’”
On defense, the Bears lost defensive end Jonathan Woodard, a seventh-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Campbell has spoke openly about his like for linemen Terrence Partee and Jordan Tolliver. Linebackers George Odum and cornerback Tremon Smith, a second-team all-American also return.
It’s a mix of returning talent and new faces on the staff that Campbell hopes leads to another year near the top of the Southland.
“I think we’ve gotten better. I love our staff, I love our enthusiasm,” Campbell said. “We like the way we do things, but we’re always looking for a better way to skin a cat.”
About the Bears
COACH Steve Campbell (13-10 in third season at UCA, 126-38 in 16th season overall)
LAST YEAR 7-4 overall, 7-2 in Southland
RETURNING STARTERS 11 (five on offense, six on defense)
OFFENISVE PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Hayden Hildebrand, RB Darrien Daniels, RB Antwon Wells, OL Stockton Mallett
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH DL Terrance Partee, DB Tremon Smith, LB George Odum
2016 SCHEDULE
DATE;OPPONENT;TIME
Sept. 1;Houston Baptist;6 p.m.*
Sept. 10;Samford;6 p.m.
Sept. 17;Northwestern State;6 p.m.*
Sept. 24;at Arkansas State;6 p.m.
Oct. 1;at Abilene Christian;2:30 p.m.*
Oct. 15;at McNeese State;6 p.m.*
Oct. 22;Lamar;6 p.m.*
Oct. 29;at Southeastern Louisiana;7 p.m.*
Nov. 5;at Stephen F. Austin;3 p.m.*
Nov. 12;Nicholls State;3 p.m.*
Nov. 19;at Sam Houston State;6 p.m.*
*Southland game
2015 RESULTS
DATE;OPPONENT;RESULT
Sept. 3;at Samford;L, 45-16
Sept. 12;at Oklahoma State;L, 32-8
Setp.26;at Northwestern State;W, 49-21*
Oct. 3;Abilene Christian;W, 42-14*
Oct. 10;at Houston Baptist;W, 43-7*
Oct. 17;McNeese State;L 28-13*
Oct. 24;at Lamar;W, 35-17*
Oct. 31;Southeastern Louisiana;W, 21-16*
Nov. 7;Stephen F. Austin;W, 36-24*
Nov. 14;at Nicholls State;W, 34-31*
Nov. 21;Sam Houston State;L, 42-13*
*Southland game