Greetings, Lion fans, and the time that we as football fans have been eagerly awaiting since November of 2022 is drawing ever closer. With the 2023 season just over three weeks away, it’s time we here at The Wire break it all down now that the roster has somewhat settled, with incoming freshmen now on campus, and players brought in via the transfer portal have arrived.

Former quarterback (no matter when you leave the program, you’re still a Lion) Clint Dolezel takes over after a long and distinguished career in the indoor game, both as a player and coach. There have been questions ever since the hire was announced, and continue to a degree, about how Dolezel and his staff would adapt to the regular outdoor game.

The new faces on the Lion football staff are mainly on the offensive side of the ball, and have followed Dolezel from the arena leagues. One name should be very familiar to Lion Nation, however. Bob Bounds was one of the all time great quarterbacks in program history and part of that endless debate about who was better (Bounds, Perez, or Wilson). After a steady career in the CFL as well as the arena leagues, Bounds was making a career in private business when the opportunity came along to assist Clint Dolezel with the Frisco Fighters. in the IFL. When he took the reins in Commerce, Clint didn’t hesitate in calling on Bounds again. His knowledge of offense, and creativity works extremely well with Dolezel. That creativity and imaginative thought process was apparent this spring.

Dave Ewart was the defensive coordinator in Frisco, and now in Commerce , will take over offensive line coaching duties. He has had a long career in the indoor game, as well as East Tennessee State.

Jarrett Boykin comes to Commerce from Murray State, where he coached wide receivers. He will have the same responsibilities in Commerce. Boykin had a solid career as a player at Virginia Tech as well as NFL stops with Jacksonville, Carolina, Green Bay, and Buffalo.

Michael Smith joins defensive coordinator Kyle Williams’s staff as a defensive line coach, Smith played for former Lion head coach David Bailiff at Rice, and has served on Tom Herman’s staff at Texas, as well as Bob Davie’s staff at New Mexico.

Probably one of the least noticed, but one of the most valuable members of the Lion staff is special teams coordinator Dr. Jack Welch. A legend in the Texas high school coaching ranks at Copperas Cove, Welch has tons of knowledge and innovations in the kicking game. His greatest value, though, is in the network of friends and associates in the high school coaching ranks. Familiarity such as that can make the difference in landing or not landing a recruit.

Jay Williams comes to Commerce after a stop at UT-Permian Basin, where the Falcons always seem to have had a stingy defense.

With a good group of holdovers, and adding some new faces, this staff, judging from their efforts in the spring game, appear to have a wealth of experience and creativity to bring to the table. It should be exciting to watch them work together.

There is an issue that must be addressed here, because if Brian and I have heard it once, we’ve heard it countless times. “Why did we hire someone from the Arena League?” “I don’t think he can transition to 11 on 11.” “Why are there so many assistants from the Arena League?” Once and for all , let’s put that issue to rest right here.

First, head coaches new to a job bring along assistants they know and are familiar with. Example: When Jimmy Johnson took over as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, he brought along Dave Wannstedt, Butch Davis, Tony Wise, Dave Campo, and Joe Brodsky. Johnson brought along just about everyone from his University of Miami staff except for offensive coordinator Gary Stephens. Like Johnson, Dolezel is familiar with assistants like Bounds and Ewart.

Finally, football is fundamental. Blocking. Tackling. Throwing. Catching. Everything else is window dressing. If there is one thing that Clint Dolezel knows, is the game of football, and how to get the most out of his talent. He and the rest of the coaching staff will have the Lions prepared. Count on it.

OFFENSE- The bane of the existence of Lion fans the past two seasons, including Brian and I. A majority of the reason for the hiring of Clint Dolezel is that he knows offense. If the Lions can have even mediocre improvement on this side of the ball in 2023, they’ll be a dangerous team.

It all starts with the quarterback. Injuries and inconsistency hamstrung the Lions season in both 2021 and 2022. Returning starter Eric Rodriguez was injured towards the end of the 2022 season, and was held out of all contact during the spring. A very smart move by the coaching staff, and it allowed transfers Peter Parrish (East Mississippi CC, LSU), and Josh Magana (Reedley College), to get significant work with the first and second units they might not otherwise have gotten. Freshman A.J. Abbott (Oregon, Montana), comes back home to Texas after playing his high school ball at Stratford HS in Houston. Abbott broke Andrew Luck’s single-season record for touchdowns at Stratford. A late addition to the Lions, but one that looks very promising, is freshman Lake Bennett from Rockwall. He has a strong and accurate arm, is a tough runner, and not afraid of contact. He appears to have the potential to come in and play right away.

Sophomore Reggie Branch returns off of a solid freshman season, rushing for 429 yards and five touchdowns. He is joined by senior Spencer Long, who seems to have been in a Lion uniform for an eternity. The only way to describe Spencer Long is “football player.” Run the ball, catch the ball, cover kickoffs and punts, return kickoffs. He does whatever is asked of him, and does it well. Shamenski Rucker, who comes to the Lions from Southeast Missouri State, was a pleasant surprise in the spring at both receiver and running back. After a summer of the Lions strength and conditioning program, he looks to build on that early success.

The biggest question for the Lions in 2023 on offense was how to replace Andrew Armstrong, who was just All Everything in 2022. The Lions lost him to the Arkansas Razorbacks via the transfer portal (Please don’t get us started on that). So what do the Lions do now?

The Lions start by building around the number two receiver from last season, Jaden Proctor. The junior from Mexia had 35 catches for 398 yars and a pair of touchdowns in 2022. A 2022 transfer from the University of Colorado, Keith Miller, had a shaky and inconsistent beginning to the 2022 season, but came along quite well towards the end, and had 17 catches for 183 yards and also had a very good spring game.

Some late additions to the receiving corps came to the Lions via the transfer portal (okay, maybe it isn’t quite so awful), in the from of Michaelous Elder (Miss. GC CC), has 4.28 speed, and it’s not a exaggeration. in addition to being a good receiver, Elder is an excellent punt returner, who could carry on the tradition of great Lion returners like Shawn Hooks, Dominique Ramsey, Reggie Kincade, Buck Wilson, and Kader Kohou. Brendan Easley arrives in Commerce from Morgan State. He’s a big target at 6’5″ 192 lbs., and has 4.4 speed. He is a tough runner after the catch with soft hands. Jabari Khepera is a transfer from Illinois State, who also is returning home to Texas after a high school career at Bishop Dunne. Khepera has good speed and is a good runner after the catch. He appears to be a perfect fit at an inside or slot receiver postion. J’Den Wilson literally comes back home to Commerce after a year at Stephen F. Austin. He can play either quarterback or defensive back, but seems to be a natural fit at a slot receiver. A good athlete who could play at multiple positions.

The Lions struggled at times in 2022 with an offensive line that started all freshmen. Three of those freshmen return now as sophomores older, wiser, and significantly prepared for the season ahead. Chandler Donaway, Jadin Jones, and McKenzie Agnello. They anchor a line that, through the transfer portal (there’s that word again), has added size and more experience. Elias DeLeon (6’4″ 310 lbs.) comes from Bethune-Cookman, Isiah Carter (6’5″ 340 lbs.) from Sacramento CC, Kyle Bruce (6’4″ 315 lbs.) from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, and a pair from Stetson University- Logan Wylie (6’2″ 300 lbs.) and Kyle Lofye (6’4″ 323 lbs.). A true freshman to keep an eye on is Matthew Welch (6’4″ 275 lbs.) from Lake Worth HS. He is the nephew of Lions assistant Jack Welch and was an outstanding member of a Lake Worth Bullfrog team that had a deep playoff run in 2022. Bottom Line- The Lions got bigger and stronger along the offensive front, while adding much needed experience. If the Lion offense is to be successful, this is the position group that will drive it.

Of all the struggles Lion Football has had the past three seasons…. COVID restrictions robbing them of perhaps their best opportunity to win one more national championship at the Division 2 level, injuries that just absolutely ravaged them in 2021, and the move to Division 1 FCS in 2022, it has been the offensive side of the ball that has caused the most frustration for everyone. Clint Dolezel was hired for what he brings to the offense. He and his staff have done what appears to be very good work in addressing issues at quarterback, improving the size and experience of the offensive line, and shoring up and expanding the receiving corps. How much of an effect will it have? We’ll find out in just over three weeks.

DEFENSE- The bedrock upon which Lion football fortunes have rested in recent memory. What began under the late Bobby Fox in the early 70’s and became known as the “Blue Gang” and the “Blue Gang Mentality”, have carried on some 50 plus years later under the direction of Kyle Williams.

What is this “Blue Gang Mentality” that we speak of? It is more than just the name of the defensive unit. It is an attitude and a way of doing things. It’s about the sum of the parts being greater than the individual. It’s a belief that extends to former players, fans, and alumni that great defense is not just expected, it is demanded. Some would consider it a birthright that if you wear the blue and gold in Commerce, and line up on the defensive side of the ball, there are standards to be met. Every play is a street fight. Yards and touchdowns are not given up without confrontation that would fit inside a MMA octagon.

In the 2022 season, despite being undersized and underfunded, the Blue Gang finished #1 in overall defense, #1 rushing defense, #1 passing defense, #1 scoring defense, #1 in defensive efficiency, #1 in third down defense, #3 in quarterback sacks, and #3 in interceptions in the Southland Conference. If they had been eligible under the transition rule, your Lions would have finished in the TOP 5 OF ALL OF FCS.

How do they improve upon this? Let’s start with the strength of last season, the secondary. The Lion secondary is a physical, punishing group, that will, as the saying goes, “bring the wood.” In the press box at Sam Houston last season, if Brian and I heard it once, we heard it ten times. Aside from the “oohs” and “aahs” from the Bearkat media group, it was mentioned that “your guys like to HIT.” They were (and are) so much more than that. They are fast and their technique is solid. They always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

Only Darrius Williams is gone due to graduation, so the core returns. Max Epps brings size and speed to the safety position. Kendall Paul is a vicious hitter from the corner. Jordan Polk can play multiple positions and excels at them all. Dariyon has proven to be an outstanding cover corner, and Sean Krystoff-King, is also an outstanding kick returner in addition to being in the rotation in the Lion secondary. Add to this Prudencio Calderon, a transfer from Rice University, and it seems that the secondary has reloaded.

The defensive line will have to replace Celestin Haba (now in the CFL), and they seem well on their way to doing that. Junior Clifford Funderburk was a very disruptive force up front in 2022, with 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. Junior Bryson Stewart returns after a 2022 season that saw him finish with 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and an interception. Levi Drake Rodriguez was a solid contributor and made great progress in the spring. McNeese transfer Leon Young had 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.

The linebacker group has faced the biggest rebuilding task, and seniors Dee Walker and Michael Noble have graduated. Sophomore Kion Hurd, despite being only 5’8″, played much bigger in the spring and showed great improvement. Jaheim Lowe, a speedy sophomore from Cedar Hill hasn’t slowed down, and also showed considerable improvement this spring.

The transfer that is drawing a lot of attention is Ja’sion Greathouse, a 6’3″ 240 lb. transfer from Southern. While spending a year at Division 3 Itasca College, Greathouse was named 2021 NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year with 20.5 sacks… That is not a misprint, that is twenty- and one-half sacks. That is Harvey Martin level production, no matter what level it’s at. He has the speed and agility to fit at either defensive end or outside linebacker. And he’s only a sophomore.

The Blue Gang will certainly be tested this season. The four-game stretch to open the season brutal. UC-Davis, Sacramento State, Old Dominion, and Stephen F. Austin, plus conference matchups with Incarnate Word, and Southeastern Louisiana. It will not be easy. However, if they can stay healthy, and get some help from the offense being able to stay on the field a respectable amount of time, the defense should be able to keep the Lions in the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS- Probably the most established and steadiest part of the team. Senior Emmanuel Adagbon, who has been nothing short of brilliant, returns for one last season and continue the tradition of great Lion place kickers, one that began with Billy Watkins. Sophomore Aiden Martin showed great leg strength and seemingly put every kickoff in the end zone. He could be very useful in a long field goal situation and is just waiting his turn.

Mitchell McGarry. What can we say about Mitchell McGarry? After a shaky start in Colorado during the 2021 season McGarry has continually improved and has made the position his own. Not only can he bail the offense out of trouble with a big leg, McGarry is equally adept at pinning the ball deep in opponents’ territory.

Sean Krystoff-King did a fine job returning kicks during the 2022 season and is carrying on the tradition of Lion returners such as Reggie Kincade, Buck Wilson, J.T. Smith, and Dominque Ramsey.

THE VERDICT- So, where does The Wire see the 2023 season going? We have a saying here that I give Brian full credit for. Fortune Favors The Bold. Bold, we will be. In the 2022 preview, we both came to the conclusion that, if we stayed healthy and got a break or two, we could be 9-2. I mentioned to local media member Gentry Little that the Lions could achieve this, and my sanity was openly questioned, to say the least. Upon closer examination, however, the Lions stood at 5-2 just over the halfway point, and if not for several unforced errors against Tennessee Tech, and playing a converted tight end at quarterback with two days practice against Sam Houston, the Lions could have easily been 6-1 or 7-0. The only games in 2022 that the Lions were just beaten were Incarnate Word and Northwestern Louisiana. Injuries and unforced errors cost the Lions in games against Nicholls St. and Tennessee State. So the 9-2 prediction was not out of the realm of possibility.

As for the 2023 season: Best Case Scenario: The offense begins to produce, maintains some time of possession, and gives the defense a rest. 9-2 Worst Case Scenario: Injuries take their toll, the Dolezel offense takes longer to implement, and the defense shows signs of wear….6-5.

Admittedly, the Lions are going to need the ball to bounce right and get some breaks against the likes of Sacramento State. Graduation has taken its toll on teams like SFA, Southeastern Louisiana (SELA comes to The Hawk), and Old Dominion, a game that the Lions have a real opportunity to shock the nation.

Bottom line is, games aren’t played on paper, or in a computer simulation. They’re played by men. They’re played with ball that looks like anything but a ball. It is, as the fictional coach Shoat Cooper said in the Dan Jenkins classic novel Semi Tough, said:

“That ***** ball ain’t round. It’ll bounce funny on you.”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and the Massey Ratings both believe anything over 3 wins in 2023 will be a miracle. Fine. That’s the kind of talk that would make the Wizard of the Blacklands, Ernest Hawkins, knowingly smile, go back to work, and then beat you.

For the final word, we’ll leave it with head coach Clint Dolezel:

“Our motto is: Nobody Cares. The fans expect us to win, and that‘s the way we live.”

Well said, Coach.

Three weeks. We’re almost there.

See You at the Hawk.