A lot has changed since the UTM football team finished the 2005 season but the overall goal and system have remained the same. With head coach Matt Griffin resigning last December to accept the top position on the Murray State coaching staff, former UT-Chattanooga offensive coordinator Jason Simpson is the new man in charge of the Skyhawk program.

Simpson played a key role in transforming the UTC program into a successful member of the Southern Conference in Division I-AA. For the Mocs, the 2005 season was very similar to that of the Skyhawks. UTC also finished 6-5, completing its first winning season since 1997.

He indicates that he plans to use parts of the existing system, which should benefit returning players and increase the team’s chances of repeating its achievements of last year.

“The foundation is in place for this team to win immediately. The system of play that the previous coaching staff implemented showed promise last year and I think that is something we can build on,” he says.

As a result of the graduation of starting quarterback Brady Wahlberg, Simpson has had to audition several young players for the vacant position. Based on their spring performances, three have separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

“At this point, if the season started today, James Pritchard would be our starting quarterback. Both Greg Preston and Dexter Anoka have also showed us some things and will see time at quarterback,” Simpson said.

The new coach has already seen improvements in his squad in the short time he has supervised practice sessions.

“We had a very good spring practice. This is really a great group of guys. The previous coaching staff already had a system in place that showed some improvement last year, so we feel like we can move quickly without making a lot of changes. That makes the transition a lot easier for the returning players,” he says.

As a backfield complement to the quarterback, the starting tailback position will once again belong to senior Donald Chapman, who led the team with 1,396 total yards rushing and an average of 4.6 yards per carry and nearly 127 yards per game. Sophomore Josh Chapman returns after accumulating 202 yards on the ground in only eight games played. While this pair was nursing injuries during recent practices, senior Justin Glover and a pair of freshmen picked up the slack.

The Skyhawk receiving corps will get its leadership from senior Taurean Stephens. The Cincinnati native enters the season needing 35 catches and 475 yards to claim the top spot in both categories for his career. Supporting Stephens will be three returning wideouts and four new additions. Jordan Cain returns after missing the entire 2005 season with a knee injury. E.J. Daniel joins the team as a transfer from Louisville, while Jesse Burton is a junior college transfer and Bryant Craig is a true freshman from Memphis.

“We have definitely upgraded at this position,” Simpson says. “Several of these players have the potential to be very good in the OVC.”

Not to be outdone, the Skyhawk defense also put on a show in camp. With sophomore lineman Michael Jasper making the switch to the offensive side of the ball, seniors Joel Kilpatrick and Will Grant provided consistent defensive play and leadership. The cornerback position features solid seniors Rayvon Sims and Brandon Cooper. Sims led the team with four interceptions a season ago while Cooper returned a punt on special teams duty. Departed players Jack Greenwood, Dante Harrold, Chad McMahon and Jason Hockaday leave the defense without its statistical leaders from a year ago.

The Skyhawks will be challenged by a 2006 schedule that features a season-opening trip to Ohio University followed by a three-game homestand.

“Our schedule will provide a challenge,” Simpson says.

“We open at Ohio, which is a tough team. Also, that trip will be a homecoming for several of our players who are from that area and they will be able to play in front of friends and family.”

The Skyhawk roster includes 11 Cincinatti, Ohio, natives. Following their game against the Bobcats, the Skyhawks will have a three-game homestand, their longest of the season.

After a game against Urbana University, Gardner-Webb will make a visit to Graham Stadium. Last year, the Skyhawks traveled to Boiling Springs, N.C. and shocked the top offensive team in Division II, 31-28.

Within the OVC, the Skyhawks will have home games against Jacksonville State on Sept. 23, Eastern Illinois on Oct. 28 for Homecoming, and Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 11.

Although they are picked to finish near the bottom of the conference, Coach Simpson believes the Skyhawks have a chance to challenge for the OVC crown this year.

“The way the conference is this year, there is not much difference between the bottom five teams. We have a good chance of competing for one of the top five spots this year,” Simpson says.

With a new coach at the helm and youth at the quarterback position, the Skyhawk offense will need major production from seniors D. Chapman and Glover.