blur2005
August 12th, 2005, 02:43 PM
"A Lot Less Gray Hair"
By MIKE BARBER
Daily News-Record
Jeff Bourne stood on the sideline during James Madison football practice with a lot less on his mind than in recent years. With his program coming off the school’s first NCAA championship in a men’s sport and his head coach signed through 2010, the athletic director can just enjoy watching a little football.
"I have a lot less gray hair," Bourne said, laughing while the Dukes ran conditioning sprints Thursday.
After a string of disappointing seasons forced JMU to weigh coach Mickey Matthews’ future before the 2003 campaign, last year’s Division I-AA championship has made life far less stressful at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Matthews is now the toast of I-AA football, and his bosses at Madison have nothing but praise for where the Dukes are headed. On Thursday, Bourne said the program is strong – not just for this year’s team, but for the future as well.
"You look at the kids that are returning from last year, they bring a lot of talent to the team," Bourne said. "If you look deeper than that, you see a lot of young kids that have come in that are new that are very good athletes."
As he has in past, more tumultuous years, Bourne refused to make a prediction for the Dukes, who play a weak non-conference schedule but a brutal Atlantic 10 slate, including out-of-division games at Massachusetts and Hofstra and divisional road games at Delaware and William & Mary.
But he did say returning to the playoffs after the Dukes’ 13-2 season and I-AA national championship is a reasonable goal.
"Oh I think so. I think it’s certainly our goal," Bourne said. "There are a lot of ifs in any season, but I think in terms of their talent level, we look, I think, very promising."
Before Bourne gave Matthews a three-year extension after the 2003 season, he talked about wanting his coach to build a successful program, one that could consistently challenge for A-10 championships. Evaluating the talent of the underclassmen in the program, Bourne said, shows Matthews, who got a new five-year deal after winning the national title, is on his way to doing that.
"We’re looking for good, strong, competitive play and watching these young kids grow up and be able to compete at the level where we have our upperclassmen right now; that’s the secret," Bourne said. "You do that year in, year out, you’ll have good football teams."
Madison’s fans apparently agree, Bourne said. JMU set a school record for season-ticket sales for the upcoming year.
"I think it shows a strong belief that this team and future teams will continue to do well," Bourne said. "You’ve got to have that to grow your program."
The Dukes also have moved into their new home – the Plecker Athletic Center – complete with state-of-the-art weight room, training room and locker rooms.
Bourne and Matthews said returning the entire coaching staff from last season helps build continuity for both current and future players.
"Good football programs keep their coaches year after year," Matthew said. "I think it shows in our recruiting, I think it shows in our practices."
Last year, JMU hired a new offensive coordinator, Jeff Durden, from Virginia Military Institute. Durden installed a spread offense, but the Dukes remained a run-oriented team. This year, Matthews and Durden expect to pass the ball more. Matthews said having Durden together with returning quarterback Justin Rascati for a second straight year will make the team’s passing attack more effective.
"I think the biggest improvement will probably be our passing game," Matthews said. "The fact that we’ve had Rascati here for an entire year and a summer, he and Jeff have been together, I think you’ll really see a lot of improvement."
Bourne isn’t the only one enjoying a preseason without persistent questions about Matthews’ future. The newfound stability has made things more enjoyable for the assistant coaches as well, associate head coach Curt Newsome said.
Newsome is "enjoying" a preseason of worrying about replacing three starters on his offensive line instead of questions about the staff’s future.
"It’s a lot more fun," Newsome said. "It’s a lot more enjoyable. There haven’t been as many distractions."
NOTES: Linebackers Akeem Jordan (foot) and Justin Barnes (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, but freshman linebacker Trae Kenney, whose lacerated left biceps required eight stitches Wednesday, was bandaged and back on the field Thursday… Receiver D.D. Boxley tweaked his perpetually sore hamstring and sat out most of the day’s workout … Freshman tight end Mike Caussin made the catch of the day, pulling in a long seam pass with his fingertips… Matthews delivered the line of the day, telling a misaligned fullback, "I can’t coach stupid players."
Copyright 2005 Daily News-Record
Hopefully this means the Dukes will live up to the hype.
By MIKE BARBER
Daily News-Record
Jeff Bourne stood on the sideline during James Madison football practice with a lot less on his mind than in recent years. With his program coming off the school’s first NCAA championship in a men’s sport and his head coach signed through 2010, the athletic director can just enjoy watching a little football.
"I have a lot less gray hair," Bourne said, laughing while the Dukes ran conditioning sprints Thursday.
After a string of disappointing seasons forced JMU to weigh coach Mickey Matthews’ future before the 2003 campaign, last year’s Division I-AA championship has made life far less stressful at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Matthews is now the toast of I-AA football, and his bosses at Madison have nothing but praise for where the Dukes are headed. On Thursday, Bourne said the program is strong – not just for this year’s team, but for the future as well.
"You look at the kids that are returning from last year, they bring a lot of talent to the team," Bourne said. "If you look deeper than that, you see a lot of young kids that have come in that are new that are very good athletes."
As he has in past, more tumultuous years, Bourne refused to make a prediction for the Dukes, who play a weak non-conference schedule but a brutal Atlantic 10 slate, including out-of-division games at Massachusetts and Hofstra and divisional road games at Delaware and William & Mary.
But he did say returning to the playoffs after the Dukes’ 13-2 season and I-AA national championship is a reasonable goal.
"Oh I think so. I think it’s certainly our goal," Bourne said. "There are a lot of ifs in any season, but I think in terms of their talent level, we look, I think, very promising."
Before Bourne gave Matthews a three-year extension after the 2003 season, he talked about wanting his coach to build a successful program, one that could consistently challenge for A-10 championships. Evaluating the talent of the underclassmen in the program, Bourne said, shows Matthews, who got a new five-year deal after winning the national title, is on his way to doing that.
"We’re looking for good, strong, competitive play and watching these young kids grow up and be able to compete at the level where we have our upperclassmen right now; that’s the secret," Bourne said. "You do that year in, year out, you’ll have good football teams."
Madison’s fans apparently agree, Bourne said. JMU set a school record for season-ticket sales for the upcoming year.
"I think it shows a strong belief that this team and future teams will continue to do well," Bourne said. "You’ve got to have that to grow your program."
The Dukes also have moved into their new home – the Plecker Athletic Center – complete with state-of-the-art weight room, training room and locker rooms.
Bourne and Matthews said returning the entire coaching staff from last season helps build continuity for both current and future players.
"Good football programs keep their coaches year after year," Matthew said. "I think it shows in our recruiting, I think it shows in our practices."
Last year, JMU hired a new offensive coordinator, Jeff Durden, from Virginia Military Institute. Durden installed a spread offense, but the Dukes remained a run-oriented team. This year, Matthews and Durden expect to pass the ball more. Matthews said having Durden together with returning quarterback Justin Rascati for a second straight year will make the team’s passing attack more effective.
"I think the biggest improvement will probably be our passing game," Matthews said. "The fact that we’ve had Rascati here for an entire year and a summer, he and Jeff have been together, I think you’ll really see a lot of improvement."
Bourne isn’t the only one enjoying a preseason without persistent questions about Matthews’ future. The newfound stability has made things more enjoyable for the assistant coaches as well, associate head coach Curt Newsome said.
Newsome is "enjoying" a preseason of worrying about replacing three starters on his offensive line instead of questions about the staff’s future.
"It’s a lot more fun," Newsome said. "It’s a lot more enjoyable. There haven’t been as many distractions."
NOTES: Linebackers Akeem Jordan (foot) and Justin Barnes (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, but freshman linebacker Trae Kenney, whose lacerated left biceps required eight stitches Wednesday, was bandaged and back on the field Thursday… Receiver D.D. Boxley tweaked his perpetually sore hamstring and sat out most of the day’s workout … Freshman tight end Mike Caussin made the catch of the day, pulling in a long seam pass with his fingertips… Matthews delivered the line of the day, telling a misaligned fullback, "I can’t coach stupid players."
Copyright 2005 Daily News-Record
Hopefully this means the Dukes will live up to the hype.