Mills looks to continue success

Charleston Southern head football coach Jay Mills says he can't remember having this much fun coaching football. With a veteran group of players returning, one can easily see why the coach is downright giddy.

Mills enters his sixth season at CSU, taking an upstart program and leading it into respectability over the last five years.

His first season ended with a 1-11 record. The Bucs then had three consecutive non-losing seasons before slipping to 5-6 a year ago. Included in the recent accomplishments are a Big South Conference title (2005) and a school-record nine wins (2006).

"I guess we can tell the improvement we have made based on the type of questions I get from people," said Mills, who has a 27-28 record at CSU. "First we were asked about when we would be fully funded in terms of

scholarships on the FCS level. Once we took the program to that level, people asked about when we might have a winning season. Now people ask about upgrading our schedule and we are doing that by playing two Division I schools (University of Miami and Miami of Ohio) this season.

"It certainly has taken a lot of commitment and effort from a lot of people on this campus, and we're obviously pretty happy with the way we are growing as a program."

That progress shows on the team's depth chart.

"We have more depth at every position than we've ever had," Mills said. "I'm having as much fun as I have ever had here through the spring and summer because of the group we have this year. It's a very dedicated, committed football team, and they have put in a lot of work since last season. It starts with senior leadership and we have plenty of that here."

CSU's offensive line has more depth than ever this season. Competition for playing time is steep, which is serving to make everyone better.

Seniors Donald Fondren (right tackle), and Alex Bragg (center) are returning starters. Starting right tackle Jarrett Johns is a junior, as is starting tight end Clayton Coffman.

Redshirt freshmen Levi McFatter and B.J. Baker are the starting guards, but lurking close behind are Wes Houston and Zach Mitchell — both with starting experience. All of the backups have at least two years in the program.

"The big question on the line is health because we still have a few who were injured last year that are not completely healthy," Mills said. "At the same time, we have a lot of linemen who have played a lot of football for us, so having some depth is certainly a plus."

The quarterback position is stocked with good talent, but with very little experience. In fact, none of the top three quarterbacks have taken a game snap in Mills' system.

Clemson senior transfer Tribble Reese has earned the starting nod and brings maturity to the position. Junior A.J. Toscano is a junior college transfer and redshirt freshman Gabe Gilmour is running third but could see action.

"Certainly a key to our success will be the development and production of our quarterbacks — all three of them," said Mills. "If they can move the football and avoid mistakes, we have a chance to be a very good offensive football team. Our receivers are a very talented group and we have some quality depth there as well. If we can get them the football, we have some playmakers."

The biggest playmaker is returning all-conference performer Dee Brown, a senior from Whiteville, N.C. In his first season as a receiver, Brown led the Big South in receptions (69) and yards (898). Brown scored at least two touchdowns in three games last season.

Senior Markus Murry also returns, as does junior athlete Tim Jones.

The running back position is a tad thin, but does return sophomore DeMarcus Moon, who led the team with 382 yards last season. Freshman Antwan Ivey and sophomore B.J. Hackworth are expected to see time as well.

The Bucs allowed just under 400 yards and 35 points per game last season. Mills hired an entirely new defensive staff, led by coordinator Thielen Smith, formerly of Clemson and Marshall.

The defensive front is deep, led by end Jake Killeen, an all-conference pick last season, and nose tackle Justin Witzmann. Both are seniors. Senior Quinton Johnson is at one tackle and senior Ryan Ard, an all-conference tight end last fall, is starting at the other end. Junior Dorein Perkins is one of the team's top pass rushers at end.

Senior Josh Mitchell missed all of last season at linebacker but returns this fall for his final season. Mitchell was an all-conference selection in 2006 and ranks among the school's top 10 in career tackles. Junior Andrew McKain is a transfer from Air Force and starts at the other linebacker, while bandit Josh Warrior and spur Okeba Rollinson each return as starters.

The secondary took a hit to graduation, but junior corner Philip Ashley returns as one starter.

Big South schedule

CSU Coastal Carolina Gardner-Webb Liberty Presbyterian Stony Brook VMI

Aug. 30 at Miami 10/28 at Penn State at Tenn. Tech 10/28 N. Greenville at Wofford Colgate Open

Sept. 6 Wofford Colgate Tusculum Glenville St. Fayetteville St. Elon St. Francis

Sept. 13 at Miami (OH) at Monmouth at Austin Peay at W. Carolina at Elon at Maine at Wm. & Mary

Sept. 20 Open Towson Open Open W. Carolina at Brown Chowan

Sept. 27 N. Greenville at N.C. A&T Sam Houston St. at Youngstown St. at Appalachian St. Hofstra at Ohio

Oct. 4 Gardner-Webb Liberty at Chas. Southern at Coastal Carolina N. Greenville Open Richmond

Oct. 11 at Savannah St. at VMI at Ga. Tech Stony Brook N.C. Central at Liberty Coastal

Oct. 18 at Stony Brook N.C. Central Presbyterian Lafayette at Gardner-Webb CSU Open

Oct. 25 at Liberty Stony Brook VMI CSU Open at Coastal Carolina at Gardner-Webb

Nov. 1 VMI Open at Stony Brook at Presbyterian Liberty Gardner-Webb at CSU

Nov. 8 Presbyterian at Gardner-Webb Coastal Carolina at VMI at CSU at Iona Liberty

Nov. 15 Edward Waters at Presbyterian at Liberty Gardner-Webb Coastal Carolina VMI at Stony Brook

Nov. 22 at Coastal Carolina CSU Open Elon at VMI Open Presbyterian

CSU starting offense

Pos. Player Hometown Ht. Wt. Class

QB Tribble Reese Birmingham, Ala. 6-2 215 Sr.

Getting a chance to be the man after being a career backup at Clemson

RB DeMarcus Moon McDonough, Ga. 5-10 190 So.

Leading returning rusher who will be CSU's main threat on the ground

WR Dee Brown Whiteville, N.C. 5-10 180 Sr.

Led Big South in receptions and yards in 2007

WR Markus Murry Chicago 5-11 185 Sr.

Fifth all-time in CSU receiving yards with more than 1,300 yards

WR Tim Jones Townville 6-4 210 Jr.

One-time QB with big-play potential at wideout

TE Clayton Coffman St. Cloud, Fla. 6-2 241 R-Jr.

Known as a solid blocker but could catch his share of passes this fall

RT Jarrett Johns Gainesville, Fla. 6-4 290 R-Jr.

Named most improved lineman during spractice

RG B.J. Baker Moultrie, Ga. 6-5 295 R-Fr.

In heated competition with Zach Mitchell, who was injured last season

C Alex Bragg Augusta 6-4 280 R-Sr.

28 career starts at guard and tackle; making the move to center this fall

LG Levi McFatter Lake City, Fla. 6-4 285 R-Fr.

Red-shirted last season but has been impressive during fall camp

LT Donald Fondren Chiefland, Fla. 6-4 305 R-Sr.

18 career starts, including 11 last season

PK John Paglia Ocala, Fla. 6-1 190 So.

Most Improved Special teams player during spring

Pos. Player Hometown Ht. Wt. Class

LE Ryan Ard Pensacola, Fla. 6-0 230 Sr.

All-Conference TE last season but moved to defense during the spring

DT Quinton Johnson Columbus, Miss. 6-2 260 Jr.

Recorded 15 sacks in two seasons of junior college football

NT Justin Witzmann Encinitas, Calif. 5-11 280 R-Sr.

Started eight games in 2007, finishing with 30 tackles

RE Jake Killeen Reno, Nev. 6-3 240 Sr.

Earned all-conference honors last season after team-high 4.5 sacks

MLB Josh Mitchell Jacksonville, Fla. 6-2 232 R-Sr.

Missed last season with knee injury; all-conference performer in 2006

WLB Andrew McKain Tucker, Ga. 6-0 225 R-Jr.

Played two seasons at Air Force Academy, earning a letter in 2006

Spur Okeba Rollinson Dallas, N.C. 5-11 201 R-Sr.

2nd-team all-conference selection after 55 tackles and 6.5 TFL

BAN Josh Warrior Orange Park, Fla. 5-11 201 R-Sr.

2nd on the team with 86 total tackles in 2007

CB Philip Ashley Tallahassee, Fla. 5-10 180 Jr.

Has five career interceptions in two seasons as a starter

FS Mike McCann Jacksonville, Fla. 6-0 200 R-Sr.

Has played in 33 career games; missed 2005 with injury

CB Jacques Bazile Naples, Fla. 5-10 170 So.

First-year starter who had six interceptions as a senior in high school

P Andy Brown Daytona, Fla. 6-0 175 Fr.

Competing for starting job as PK as well