Guest abovetherim Posted May 21, 2008 Report Posted May 21, 2008 BEAUMONT – Lamar University’s Athletic Department formally introduced Navarro College’s Ray Woodard as the program’s eighth head football coach since 1951 and first since the program was discontinued in 1989. Texas State University System Board of Regents approved Woodard’s hiring Friday, May 16, and the 46-year-old Lufkin native conducted his first press conference Monday afternoon in the Hall of Honor Room at Montagne Center on the Lamar campus. Woodard was chosen by a committee headed by Lamar Athletic Director Billy Tubbs to resurrect a Cardinal football program shut down 19 years ago, largely due to budget overruns and declining attendance. Woodard’s first Cardinal team may play probationary games in 2010 before it rejoins the Southland Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, previously known as I-AA) in 2011. “I want to thank Dr. (Richard) Sanchez and athletic director Roark Montgomery for giving me the opportunity to lead the Navarro football program,†said Woodard, who led the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record, the Southwest Junior College Football Championship, the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl Classic Championship, and the No. 4 ranking in the final National Junior College Athletic Association football poll during his first season. “The success of our season can be attributed to our quality assistant coaches, and without them, I certainly wouldn’t have been considered for this opportunity at Lamar,†he continued. “I had every intention of staying there (at Navarro). I was not looking to leave after one year, but this is an opportunity I couldn’t pass on at this time.†Contractual terms were not disclosed. With Lamar football three seasons away from a debut and with many other program priorities to consider, it’s unclear right now whether Woodard will attempt to take any Navarro assistant coaches as he formulates a staff. Montgomery, meanwhile, has received numerous calls and inquiries about Navarro’s head-coaching position. Current assistant head coach Brian Mayper and offensive coordinator Nick Bobeck already expressed strong interest and will apply for that job. Mayper and Bobeck spearheaded much of the 2008 recruiting process and helped to sign what is considered an outstanding, top-rated recruiting class that will mix with about 26 sophomores. Navarro’s 2008 recruiting class includes no less than eight players awaiting test scores who double-signed with Division I schools in February – and, also notably, about 20 freshmen from the Greater Houston and Golden Triangle areas. Woodard solidly endorsed both assistants. “I’d like to see either coach Mayper or coach Bobeck get the job,†he said. “Both are fine young men and fine coaches. I wouldn’t be going to Lamar if not for their work and effort this past season.†Woodard’s 2007 Bulldogs set a school single-season scoring record (428 points), as well as season offensive (5144) and total (6118) yardage marks. They finished third in NJCAA total offense (444.6 ypg) and fourth in total rushing (250.5 ypg). Navarro’s 2007 defense, led by NJCAA All-American individual tackle leader Donald Booker, was +19 in turnover ratio and made a team-record 27 interceptions during a 12-game season. The 2006 defense was +17 in turnover ratio, gave up three rushing touchdowns and an average of 113.5 rushing yards in its first 8 games, and produced 266 return yards from 24 turnovers. “I think Navarro College has a lot to offer to everyone and it is a very special place,†Woodard said. “When you leave a program, you’d like to think you left it in a better condition. I think the future is very bright for Navarro football. It has a very good returning nucleus of sophomores and an excellent freshman class coming. If it can keep some continuity with the coaches, it should be another banner year.†Woodard joined Chuck Lawrence’s staff at Navarro as defensive coordinator and head of recruiting in spring, 2006, and then succeeded Lawrence in December, 2007, as the Bulldogs’ 10th head football coach. Woodard, a two-time All-American at Kilgore College (1980-81) and two-year defensive line starter at The University of Texas (1982-83), was an eighth-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played five seasons for the Chargers, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a member of the 1986 Denver Bronco Super Bowl team. Woodard coached eight seasons at Kilgore College, and helped the Rangers claim the Texas Junior College Football Conference title in 1990. He coached professionally for the Texas Terror, Arena Football, and spent four seasons as a defensive coordinator in NFL Europe with the Frankfort Galaxy (1996-97) and the Scottish Claymores (2001-03). Some other known applicants for the Lamar opening were former Cardinal coach Larry Kennan (1979-81), Kenith Pope (recently named running backs coach at UNLV, and a former assistant at Lamar under Kennan, and also at Texas A&M and Alabama under Dennis Franchione); former Texas State coach Jim Bob Helduser; current Texas State University co-offensive coordinator Ben Norton; former Texas A&M quarterback and current Beaumont West Brook head coach Craig Stump; former Texas A&M offensive coordinator under Franchione and current offensive coordinator at South Alabama Les Koenning Jr.; longtime Southern Mississippi assistant Randy Butler; Texas State product Ronald Feldman; Robert Hargrove; and former University of Arkansas linebacker Dennis ‘Dirt’ Winston, who won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers before becoming an assistant coach at Kentucky State and The University of Toledo. Hiring Woodard is just another step in a slow rebuilding process at Lamar that’s hastened since the beginning of 2008. With 79 percent approval of 1,294 voting students on January 31, Lamar approved a fee that would fund the return of intercollegiate football on campus. The measure, starting in the fall of 2009, called for fees of $8.75 per credit hour in the fall and spring semesters and $4.50 per credit hour in the summer. All students who the pay the fee before the scheduled return of football would be eligible for free tickets through 2013. The Texas State University Board of Regents approved the athletic-fee plan to reinstate football at a meeting February 20. Lamar accepted applications until March 29 for a head football coach, and considered options to upgrade 17,150-seat Cardinal Stadium at costs ranging upward of $18 million. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the construction projects at the stadium and adjoining Higgins Field House, which virtually have been untouched since the December 14, 1989, death of football. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay a $1.5 million tab to rebuild the pressbox – a 2005 casualty of Hurricane Rita. Lamar also is addressing Title IX concerns by adding softball and one other sport for women. Lamar had a 171-225-9 record in 39 seasons as a four-year school, most notably beating Baylor 18-17 in the 1981 season opener – one year after the Bears went 10-2 and won the Southwest Conference. Lamar played junior college football on and off for 20 seasons between 1923 and 1950. http://www.ktbb.com/sportsblog/?p=1519
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