Climbing the Ladder - Jason McVee Coaching Legacy (CFB 25)

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Jacksonville State Gamebirds
Head Coach - Jason McVee (0-0)

Historical Records:

*Note - I know that Jacksonville State is not called the Gamebirds, but for the sake of the profanity filter I'll address them (and South Carolina if the need arises) as such.

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Jason McVee
Coaching Journal - Page 1
The Introduction

Inches short. These stories live on in the pantheon of sports in ways that little others can. One of the most memorable circumstances of coming up short is Kevin Dyson outstretching the ball for the endzone but being drawn short in 1999 in what would prove to be a tough super bowl defeat to the Saint Louis Rams. It's a memory that will undoubtedly live on. While my story doesn't rise to the heights of the superbowl. The sting of being on the wrong side of an inches debate live on.

In High School I was a 3-star quarterback, leading my high school to the Illinois State playoffs both years, my junior year we were run out of the park in the second round, a beating that we took to heart. Lead up by several players that were also getting scholarships from FBS schools, my senior year we were poised to make a run.

And we did.

Up until the state semifinals, our pride was high having won a 17-3 game in the round prior, only to fall just short.. or rather I fell just short. On a 4th and two late in the game down by two, I scrambled outside and was stuffed. Turning the ball over and sealing the loss. It was a tough one to stomach, one that hung on me even as college loomed.

It was melancholy as I announced my signing with the University of Kentucky. There I was a starter my fifth year at the program. We weren't impressive, a 6-7 finish with a loss in our bowl game. I had no NFL buzz and the draft came and went without my name being called. I was able to sign on as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, but I was cut my first year and spent a year bouncing around practice squads.

It was stark, plenty clear that I could continue this life of bouncing around, hoping that one day I catch on as a back up and maybe do something, or I could settle down and build my career.

Football was my passion and while I wasn't ready to give it up, I found an opportunity to be revitalized as a graduate assistant. I returned to Kentucky University where I worked on the sidelines learning the ins and outs of coaching. By the time I was 4 years out of football, I decided to join the coaching ranks.

I stayed local, a Lexington area Highschool had a head coaching vacancy and it seemed like a perfect fit. Tates Creek High School. There I was able to get my first opportunities as a coach, spending two years as the JV coach before the varsity coach retired giving me a chance to be the varsity head coach.

It was a perfect fit.

We caught fire and while there were no state championships, we were competitive for the state playoffs on a regular basis. After six years at the high school level, I had a winning percentage of .600%.

But my eyes were elsewhere. As much as I enjoyed the experience I wanted greater opportunity. It all changed with a phone call.

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Looking forward to this.

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Jason McVee
Coaching Journal - Page 2
The Start

One phone call. A talk of dreams beyond the walls of the high school that I was looking for. As a child I grew up dreaming of the opportunities that laid well beyond my grasp. Always told to lower my expectations.. and when it came time to put up.. it seems liked I needed to. I couldn't cut it in college or in the league but things work out in a funny way.

I was talking to one of my good friends, Jerry Ryerson who's son I had couched his senior year. He mentioned having friends at the college level and one thing that came up that came pretty interesting.

There was an opening.

I wasted no time in putting in my intent to interview and thanks to Jerry's guidance I was able to get an interview. With that I packed by bags and went south. To Jacksonville.. Not the one you're probably thinking of. Jacksonville, Alabama. A school that recently made the jump to FBS play and was now looking for a new head coach.

I interviewed, I could remember my hands being clamy. It was an opportunity to make a leap, it felt like my college days jumping to the professional level. I talked about the system I'd install and the desire to grow these athletes into proud graduates of the school.

Thus I went a week or two without any word The flight home quiet and already preparing for my next season at high school, when my phone lit up.

"Coach McVee, we've decided to move forward with you on a three year deal. I'll send the information to your agent.. but you didn't leave us the details..?"

The call was unexpected, but beyond that going into it without an agent I was completely offguard. Then I made a decision that undoubtedly impact me. Why not make the one that made the connection my agent? With that I passed along Jerry's contact information and waited for the fax to sign off.

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Gamebirds hire Jason McVee as their new headcoach

(Jacksonville, AL) - On an otherwise quiet Saturday evening in Jacksonville, there was news bursting from the college. Jacksonville State has grown in popularity rising to the FBS ranks in recent years and it was only time until a new coach began to take the helm.

Jason McVee follows a career where he helped lead Tates Creek High School in successive years but never were able to claim the state championship. Despite this his innovative offenses caught the attention of those and the young coach will now have a home in Jacksonville.

Offensively, McVee runs a spread offense. One that employs quick hits and enjoys a mobile quarterback under center. One of the big parts of his offense is tight end involvement. McVee sees this position as a gadget position. An extra blocker when needed and a threat downfield otherwise. As such he has seen tight ends get recruited into the next level along with is own expertise at quarterback where he rose to the NFL ranks, but never beyond a practice squad position.

Defensively, McVee runs a 3-4 defense, the goal is finesse from most of the coverage unit. The linebackers are supposed to track down the exterior and help plug holes while the defensive line is focused on taking on their gaps and making assignments miserable for those across from them.

This will mark McVee's first year as a college head coach, he previously had experience at Kentucky University before going to the high school ranks where he had a 28-13 record as a head coach of the varsity program. In the coming weeks we will have previews for the Gamebirds and our predictions for the upcoming season.

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Quote: Originally Posted by cookies00

Looking forward to this.

Appreciate it! Hope you enjoy.

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Jacksonville State 2024 Season Preview

(Jacksonville, AL) - There is a fervor in the air after the departure of Rich Rodriguez to the NFL ranks, the Jacksonville State Gamebirds are looking to build on the success of their first FBS year and make a name for themselves in the Conference USA in year 2 of their FBS membership. The team will look different in their first year under coach Jason McVee.

Gone is Zion Webb who helped lead the Gamebirds in their first FBS season, and while some expected Logan Smothers to step into the starting role after playing last season, it looks that Zion Turner will be the one starting week 1. Turner. Turner is a transfer from UConn who in his true freshman year helped lead the Huskies to a bowl game, but from there he has spent his time on the sidelines as he took a redshirt year and then transferred to open up his third year Sophomore year as the Jacksonville State quarterback. He is an ace at throwing the ball and his short to medium accuracy seemed to win the job for him over Smothers.

In the backfield there will be a dual tandem of Anwar Lewis and Andrew Paul. Anwar was a junior college recruit that has spent the rest of his time under Rich Rodriguez and proved himself to be a capable back in the system, the fifth year senior will look to close out the final year of his career with a strong finish. Conversely Andrew Paul is a Georgia transfer, who should figure into the team's offense nicely. He excels at breaking tackles and making space for himself which should figure nicely into McVee's offensive system.

The Wide Receiving corp is a group that will be a heavy focus of recruiting efforts in the future as it's a very senior laden group. Their wide receiving group is spearhead ed by DeMarcus Lacey, a Northern Alabama transfer and Brannon Spector. Spector is a Clemson transfer though seeing limited time in Death Valley his experience should be invaluable. This pass attack wouldn't be complete without tight end Sean Brown. Earning all C-USA honors a year ago and on the Mackey watch list, this tight end could find himself earning playing time on Sundays with a strong performance in 2024.

The offensive line should hold up well, and there's NFL talent available in the form of Clay Webb, the fifth year senior earned ALL-FBS honors last year as the nations top guard and all C-USA honors. The Georgia transfer has proven to be a tremendous fit for this offense and especially on the left side this offense should be strong on the line.

Defensively the line is led by the edges in Curley Young Jr. and J-Rock Swain. Swain is coming off an all-CUSA season and expects to disrupt offenses off the edge. He was a heavy contributor in one of the top defensive units in the NCAA last season and hopes are that he can continue that pace.

McVee's defenses thrive with a strong inside linebacker and Laletia Hale spearheads the linebacking corp. A cerebral defender, his knowledge of the game should help position this defense and ensure they are in position. He is a strong tackler. The fifth year senior has spent every year at Jacksonville State and with is final year about to start the aim is to see the senior push for CUSA honors.

Derek Carter (redshirt junior) was a 2nd team All-CUSA selection a year ago and the expectation is only to see him grow. Behind him is talented youngster Geimere Latimer who had 10 games experience in his freshman year and showed pops that has him slotted in nicely as the 2nd cornerback. At the safeties is Fred Perry who earned FCS all freshman honors and Ky'Won McCray. McCray had a strong game against South Carolina and looking to see him grow for his senior year lingers.

Rounding out the roster is freshman quarterback Garrison Rippa who hasn't had any experience at the college level and Jack Dawson at punter. Dawson earned honorable All-CUSA mentions in his junior year, and with a booming leg should help keep the Gamebirds out of trouble if the offense sputters.

Jacksonville State Gamebirds Depth Chart - 2024
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	DeMarcus Lacey (75) JR	Michael Pettway (73) rJR	Jordan McCants (69) rSO
TE	Sean Brown (87) rSR	Jacob Barrick (69) JR	Everett Polk (67) FR
LT	Will O'Steen (76) rJR	KD Arnold (73) SO	Jaedon Hill (55) FR
LG	Clay Webb (93) rSR	Daveion Harley (69) SO	Jamal Siler (60) FR
C	Brock Robey (77) SR	Amare Grayson (66) FR	Ryland Bragg (58) FR
RG	Cameron Griffin (68) SO	Daylan Martin (63) FR	Judson Billings (51) rFR
RT	Cam Jones (74) rSR	Marvin Lee (62) rFR	Nate Smith (50) rFR
WR	Brannon Spector (74) rSR	PJ Wells (69) rSR	Samario Rudolph (69) rSR
QB	Zion Turner (76) rSO	Logan Smothers (74) SR	Te'Sean Smoot (72) rSO
FB	Andrew Paul (74) sSO	Everett Polk (70) FR
HB	Anwar Lewis (78) sSR	Andrew Paul (78) rSO	Justus Savage (66) FR	Andre Devine (63) FR
Base 3-4 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	J-Rock Swain (81) SR	Morven Joseph (75) JR	Walter Reddick (64) FR
NT	Darrell Prater (72) rSO	Rickey Samuel (72) rSR	Jawaun Campbell (63) FR	Talan Carter (58) FR
RDE	Curley Young Jr (77) rSR	Keyon Clark (66) rSO	Nick Igebeare (63) FR
LOLB	Jibreel Al-Amin (74) rSO	Jaleel Birdsong (61) rSO
LILB	Laletia Hale (82) rSR	Aidan Thompson (52) rFR
RILB	Dajwon Deloach (67) SO	Jaleel Birdsong (60) rSO
ROLB	Reginald Hughes (73) rJR	Morven Joseph (76) JR
CB	Derek Carter (78) rJR	Jabari Mack (76) JR	Demarkus Barr (67) rJR
SS	Ky'Won McCray (75) SR	James Ziglor (73) rJR	Jake Fitzgibbons (72) rSR
FS	Fred Perry (75) JR	Jalen Bustamante (72) SR	AJ Watkins (65) FR
CB	Geimere Latimer (76) SO	Marco Baker (75) SR	Micah McCarroll (51) rFR
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Garrison RIppa (66) rFR
P	Jack Dawson (75) SR	Cade Backe (64) rJR
H	Jack Dawson (75) SR
PR	Michael Pettway	Dallan Wright
KR	Michael Pettway	Dallan Wright
LS	Clay Webb

2024-25 Schedule

(1) vs Coastal Carolina
(2) @ #20 Louisville
(3) @ Eastern Michigan
(4) vs Southern Mississippi
(5) BYE
(6) @ Kennesaw State
(7) vs New Mexico State
(8) BYE
(9) vs Middle Tennessee State
(10) @ Liberty
(11) @ Louisiana Tech
(12) vs Florida International
(13) vs Sam Houston
(14) @ Western Kentucky

Projected Record 7-5

The Gamebirds 2024 season has them set up for another bowl game, but there is some regression expected. Likely starting the season 0-2, they can expect a midseason win streak over Eastern Michigan up through New Mexico State. Two consecutive losses would follow. With the final likely loss being Sam Houston at home. That being said the season ending trip to Western Kentucky could be a trap game and drop the Gamebirds to 6-6. None the less going 2-2 in FBS Bowl appearances in as many seasons at this level is an impressive stat.