By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — It’s not just the players on the gridiron for the Firmly Founded that will be fresh faces — the coaching staff will be bringing in multiple new staff members to the sidelines, as well, in a what feels to be a rarity for a staff that has mostly had continuity in Head Coach Jerrod Baugh’s tenure.
In all, four coaches and the video coordinator from last year will no longer be on the sidelines. Former defensive coordinator Kyle Williams is now with LSU, former O-Line Coach Josh Mote recently married and has down to South Mississippi, former D-Line David Taylor is now at West Monroe, and former freshman coach and Interim Head Coach for Basketball Corey Deans has taken a head job at a different school. Gregg Hawkins, the former video coordinator, has left the sidelines to pursue his private business.
Even if the churn feels higher than normal, for Baugh, it’s business as usual, as he will lean on his hiring philosophy to keep the program headed in the right direction.
“I tell the kids and I truly believe this football program is bigger than any one player, one coach or one head coach,” Baugh said. “All the coaches that have been through and everybody that has played are a very big part of getting this football program to where it is. But I’ve also told them, when someone leaves, we wish them the best. This is part of life, part of growing up, so we move on as best we can.”
Baugh has already either hired or reshuffled existing coaches into these positions — Marcus Yanez is now the defensive coordinator, Bryan Beck and B.J. Phillips (Ouachita) will co-coach the offensive line, and Anthony Freeman from Bastrop will take over defensive line with Frasier Hogan’s help. While Deans’ spot with the freshmen and cornerbacks has not been filled quite yet, both Colt Dunbar and C.J. Gatlin will take over for Hawkins as video coordinators.
But internal or external, it always comes to hiring the best “man” for the job for Baugh as he is able.
“I just try to find the best men to start with, and then we figure out how it is we can adjust,” Baugh said. “We want them to have things they’re knowledgeable in, the things they’re comfortable in, and to be able to find out what secondary sport they can help with. Of course, sometimes, the open teaching position dictates the whole thing.
“There are a lot of things that go into it, but I think first and foremost, I’m looking for a good person and a good leader for the kids. In interviews, I don’t get on the marker board and ask anyone to draw up plays or this and that. Usually, I’ve already do my background work on them before they even walk in the door — I’ve asked around to guys whose opinions I respect.”
Baugh said that the newcomers are already transitioning in well to the staff and to the school, and they are making things easier on the kids who have lost a position coach.
“These kids are resilient,” Baugh said in conclusion. “They’re sad to see these coaches go, because they’ve built close relationships together. But I remind them, too, that they’re going to graduate one day and leave, and I just can’t quite coaching when you move on. It doesn’t do anything to the relationship that we’ve developed with you based off whether I leave or anyone else. I try to pass that along, and I think they understand whenever a new coach comes in.”
