Colonels ready to begin Stubbs era

The waiting is almost finished.

The practice and long hours of preparation are just about complete.

It’s finally time to start the Charlie Stubbs era of Nicholls State football – an era that has virtually everyone in the Colonels’ family excited after the team’s 3-8 year in 2009.

“Things are really going well,” Stubbs said. “And I can tell you, I’m very excited to play. You can practice all you want, but there comes a certain point where you’ve just got to play games … You’ve got to play to be able to see ultimately where you’re at. We’re at that point now. We’re very anxious to get on the field and see how much progress we’ve made after what’s been an extremely long summer of work.”

Where the Colonels were at in the past few seasons is not where the team hopes to be, which is why Stubbs was hired in January, replacing former coach Jay Thomas, who was relieved of his position after two-straight three-win seasons.

Stubbs landed the position after 22 years coaching on the collegiate level, mostly as an offensive coordinator.

The coach has fielded high-powered offenses at virtually all of his stops, which include prestigious programs like Tulsa, Louisville and Alabama.

At Nicholls, players tout he has already instilled that winning frame of mind into the program.

“Our attitude as a team is a lot more positive since Coach Stubbs got here,” said senior defensive end Marquis Russell. “Everyone is on the same page, working toward a united goal, which is competing annually for the Southland Conference Championship.”

In addition to a new attitude will also come a new offense, as Stubbs is in the process of implementing his wide open system to what was predominantly a triple option team during Thomas’ tenure.

Sophomore quarterback LaQuintin Caston and true freshman Landry Klann are expected to take the majority of the snaps when the season starts with neither player having the clear title of “starter.”

“We definitely envision more than one quarterback seeing action,” Stubbs said.

Caston was the Colonels’ top passer a year ago, completing 45-of-100 passes for 779 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Probably a more decorated pocket passer, Klann landed a scholarship at Nicholls after throwing for 52 touchdowns and rushing for 34 more during his career at McCollum High School in Texas.

But despite both players competing hard at practice, Russell said there’s no division among the locker room, and the team’s No. 1 quarterback is simply the guy in the game during any given play.

“We’re comfortable with both of those guys,” Russell said. “Whoever’s in the game at that time, that’s who we’re rallying behind. There’s no rivalry. It’s just friendly competition.”

Protecting the quarterbacks while they learn the in’s and out’s of the new offense is going to be critical, and the Colonels are well staffed up front heading into the 2010 season.

Returning on the offensive line are a pair of All-Southland performers, Bart Roussel and Brandon Ward.

A slew of other able bodies are all expected to compete for playing time – a mix that might not be fully decided until conference play begins.

But both quarterbacks believe the Colonels are deep on the offensive front.

“We already know what they can do,” Caston said. “We’ve already told the offensive line that they’re going to be the anchors of this team if we’re able to get that championship we want to get this season.”

The Colonels are also deep in the backfield and along their receiver corps. Nicholls has 12 receivers on their roster after employing just three last season.

The team also returns Corey Buchanan, Brandon Johnson, Earvin Moore, Byron Jones, Kendrex Salter, Jesse Turner and Tyler Collins in the backfield.

Like on the line and with the quarterbacks, starting sports are still up for grabs with the position players, as well.

“Those guys are learning, too,” Stubbs said. “We’re still trying to get a feel for the personnel that we have.”

On defense, Russell is one of five returning starters for a unit that got eaten alive in 2009, allowing more than 38 points per game.

Despite the struggles, Stubbs retained defensive coordinator Jeremy Atwell.

But Russell said even though the scheme is the same, Stubbs has tweaked a few things – moves he believes will improve the team’s chances this year.

“The defense is looking pretty good this year,” he said. “We’re working hard, trying a few new plays, and we’re just looking to get after it this year. We’re not going to hold anything back.”

The Colonels will be tested early in the Stubbs’ era, as their first three opponents are all Division-I football programs (San Diego State, Western Michigan and South Alabama).

But despite the tough start, change is in the air in Thibodaux and Stubbs said he believes people will be surprised with the way the Colonels will compete early in the season.

“We’re going to have to come right out of the gates firing with that schedule we play,” Stubbs said. “But I have a lot of confidence in the work we’re doing, and I believe our young men will compete very well, even against that quality competition.”

Nicholls State halfback Corey Buchanan knocks sweat into the air as he trucks his teammate, defensive back Chika Madu. Under new coach Charlie Stubbs, the Colonels hope for an improvement coming off two-straight sub-par seasons. CASEY GISCLAIR TRI-PARISH TIMES