Quinn To Face Rebuilding Year

Magnolia, AR—New Southern Arkansas University head coach Steve Quinn faces a major rebuilding year in 2001. Quinn is familiar with the Muleriders program—he was the assistant head and offensive line coach at SAU from 1997 through 1999 when Steve Roberts directed the ‘Riders to a Gulf South Conference championship and a 26-4 record over the three-year period. Quinn followed Roberts to NCAA Division 1-AA Northwestern State University in 2000 and returned to SAU to replace John Bland, who joined his former coach at Arkansas, Ken Hatfield, on the staff at Rice University.

Quinn looks to retain at least most of the staff but must replace 16 seniors, nine starters on both sides of the ball that includes a three-year starting quarterback, the kicker and punter and deep snapper. Five of the starters played offense and four defense.

The ‘Rider staff feels good about their young players who will inherit starting roles. Center Trey LaValle has earned All-Conference and All-American honors and guards Shane Clancy and Rory Green are two-year starters. Halfback Forrest Curry and fullback Scott Schroeder also return. Defensive starters returning include tackle Chad James, ends Joey Robinson and Michael Webb, linebackers Eddie Key and DeVares Campbell, and secondary players Brian Davis and Jordan Babineaux. Key was All-GSC last year.

Sophomore Ted Williams will have to step up big next year at quarterback, Jason Bennett at wide receiver and Ryan Baker at tight end. Sophs Rodney Evans and Larnelle Sinegal are ready for big roles in the offensive backfield. On defense, end Kenny Pettway has a chance to be All-Conference material, Aaron Goodman and Ellis Lockett will play as down linemen, All-GSC Atheius McCoy returns after a two-year absence and Tim Rose will compete at linebacker. Austin Taylor and Charles Rollins will compete for starting roles in the secondary.