A Journey in the Coaching Career of Kentucky Native Samuel King
I have completed a multitude of dynasties, but never took the time and effort to track one on OS. But I have faith this will be the one. I will begin my career as the Head Coach of Western Kentucky University, with a young and desiring coach whose only goal is to lead the University of Kentucky Wildcats to become a national powerhouse, but he has to start somewhere.
Beginning Sliders are Guru's NCAA 11 Heisman Sliders from the forums on Gaming Tailgate. I love this game, (and NCAA 14 is currently $80 and I have a baby on the way... so do the math). I am attempting to do HTML as much as I can, and graphics and artwork may improve and look different along the way, so bare with me.
Here goes nothing.
__________________ Psalm 118:17 "I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done."
All Hail The King June 13th, 2010
WKU hires local Kentuckian Samuel King as new head football coach.
BOWLING GREEN---A position that has been highly sought in the last few months in the NCAA world is now filled. The thirty year old Georgetown, KY native is now leading the helm for the Hilltoppers coming into the 2010 season. “I am overwhelmed...it feels like a dream,” King told a reporter at the preseason press conference on monday, “I have always day-dreamed of the day I would coach a division one football school, and now I am lucky enough to do it in my home state.”
King was born and raised in Central Kentucky, attending and graduating from Georgetown College in 1999, a prominent NAIA Football program in the state. He immediately became a graduate assistant under Head Coach Bill Cronin, winning back-to-back titles in 2000 & 2001, before moving up quickly to Offensive Coordinator for the last eight seasons. He has been highly sought after for his ridiculously high football IQ, and knowledge of football history. WKU Athletic Director Todd Stewart told the press while having his arm around Coach King, “I can not believe we landed a guy like this, an NFL caliber coach in our little ol’ Kentucky town.” The joke nodding to the press release that came out in the Lexington Herald-Leader in May that King was being contacted by the Miami Dolphins to be the new Offensive Line coach this year. Miami ended up going with John Thompson, former Texas Tech coach, but the discussion drew huge media attention in the area.
What will come next for the Hilltoppers remains unknown, but fans and alumni nationwide are optimistic. “It may take time, but I will build this program, and I will make sure nothing stops me from reaching the goals we have set as a staff.”
__________________ Psalm 118:17 "I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done."
Strong in the Backfield---Sophomore QB Kawaun Jakes has what it takes to lead this team to major success before his career is up. His speed is out of this world, though he may lack some throwing accuracy he can make defenses miss on his feet. Junior RB Bobby Rainey is going to light up the MAC in rushing this season. His incredible speed and agility in a stocky 5’7”, 203 build will leave defensive backs in the dust, but the first issue lies in his ability to make power runs through the D-Line. Senior WR Quin Cooper will be Jakes’ 1st, (and only), throwing option. His ability to catch the ball may be sub-par, but his speed and elusiveness once he gets a hold of the football will bode him well this year.
Center Sean Conway
Read Between the Lines---Sophomore TE Jack Doyle is the pristine all-around tight end. His blocking is good enough to make a difference, but his catching ability will be what wins games this year. The offensive line is dominated with seniors, but starting Redshirt Freshman center Sean Conway will be an anchor for this run game this year, and for many years to come. (Expect some All-American nominations coming this guy’s way). The one and only standout in a vast array of mediocre defensive lineman is Senior nose tackle Nick Hartnett. His success will be the deciding factor in whether the opponent is going to put up 10 or 100.
Safeties Ryan Beard (Left) and Mark Santoro (Right)
Barely Secondary---The All-Senior starting linebacking core will be headed by Chris Bullard, a fast moving ROLB ready to prove himself to Coach King. With no standout Cornerback this year, the Hilltopper secondary will be hurting unless they see some major improvement very rapidly during the season. Juniors Mark Santoro and Ryan Beard will be heading the safety core downfield, and will have to work overtime to make up for the disastrous situation at corner.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Depth Chart - 2010
Regular Offense
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
WR
Wenquel Graves, RS SR (67)
John Garrett, JR (65)
Jamarielle Brown, RS FR (53)
Anthony Sheppard, FR (46)
TE
Jack Doyle, RS SO (65)
Tristan Jones, RS JR (58)
Ed Hazelett, RS FR (49)
LT
Wes Jefferies, RS JR (67)
Cameron Clemmons, FR (54)
Paul Millay, RS JR (41)
LG
Derrick Elder, RS SR (67)
Luke Stansfield, RS SO (57)
C
Sean Conway, RS FR (70)
William Berner, FR (49)
RG
Michael Peterson, RS SR (66)
Adam Smith, RS SO (59)
RT
Preston King, RS SR (68)
Jacob McLaurin, RS SR (54)
Seth White, RS FR (43)
WR
Quin Cooper, SR (71)
Derrius Brooks, RS JR (67)
Antoinne Lightfoot, JR (59)
Rico Brown, FR (46)
QB
Kawaun Jakes, RS SO (64)
Tyler Bruce, RS JR (56)
Marcus Vasquez, RS SO (50)
Brandon Doughty, FR (47)
FB
Rod Johnson, SR (58)
Nick Baisch, RS FR (49)
HB
Bobby Rainey, RS JR (74)
William Simmons RS SO (69)
Keshawn Simpson (67)
Avery Hibbitt RS JR (58)
Base 4-3 Defense
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
LDE
Rammell Lewis, RS SO (61)
Kenny Martin, RS SO (52)
LDT
Nick Hartnett, RS SR (69)
Brandon Whitty, RS SO (56)
James Hervey, RS FR (49)
RDT
Jarmarcus Allen, RS SO (60)
Korentheus Bailey, RS SO (49)
RDE
Jared Clendenin, RS JR (63)
Johnathan Scott, RS SO (59)
Bo Adebayo, JR (52)
WLB
Mike Gothard, RS SR (60)
Marquise Burns, RS SR (49)
Baree Boyd, FR (47)
MLB
Thomas Majors, RS SR (65)
Darius Baughman, RS SR (62)
Cole Tischer, RS FR (51)
Andrew Jackson, FR (49)
SLB
Chris Bullard, SR (66)
Josh Carter, RS FR (52)
Tye Golden, SO (50)
CB
Trent Calhoun, JR (57)
Dexter Taylor, RS SR (46)
Xavius Boyd, FR (40)
SS
Mark Santoro, RS JR (63)
Clint Mitchell, RS SR (53)
Jerome Speights, FR (51)
Kareem Peterson, RS SO (46)
FS
Ryan Beard, RS JR (67)
Cam Thomas, FR (59)
Orlando Misaalefua, RS SR (55)
CB
Erik Jones, RS SR (52)
Denton Allmon, RS FR (43)
Special Teams
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
K
Monte Merrick, RS FR (73)
P
Casey Tinius, RS JR (71)
2010 WKU Hilltoppers Schedule Week 1- @ USC Week 2- @ Ohio *MAC Conference Opener* Week 3- @ Western Michigan Week 4- *BYE* Week 5- @ Oklahoma Week 6- @ Louisville Week 7- vs. Kent State *Home Opener* Week 8- vs. Ball State Week 9- @ Eastern Michigan Week 10- *BYE* Week 11- @ Northern Illinois Week 12- vs. Bowling Green State Week 13- vs. Central Michigan Week 14- vs. Idaho *Senior Night* Week 15- Conference Championship Week *Conference Game
The Future is Bleak---The scheduling crew in Bowling Green, KY will be in need of new jobs after this season. The Hilltoppers begin the season with six straight away games, two of which against Power-5 teams in USC and Oklahoma. Ohio is a tough matchup for a MAC season-opener, as the Bobcats are projected to win the MAC East in 2010. Fortunately, five of the last seven games for WKU will be at home, which will help tremendously. Facing Idaho at home in week fourteen will definitely be the easiest game of the season, as it will be mandatory for Coach King to win that game, and take some conference games as well. Projection: 3-9 (2-6)
Around the NCAA
Preseason Top 25
Spoiler
NCAA Preseason Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Aug 30, 2010
RK
LW
TEAM (VOTES)
W
L
POINTS
1
--
Alabama
0
0
0
2
--
Ohio State
0
0
0
3
--
Texas
0
0
0
4
--
Oregon
0
0
0
5
--
Boise State
0
0
0
6
--
Florida
0
0
0
7
--
Virginia Tech
0
0
0
8
--
TCU
0
0
0
9
--
Nebraska
0
0
0
10
--
Iowa
0
0
0
11
--
Wisconsin
0
0
0
12
--
Georgia Tech
0
0
0
13
--
USC
0
0
0
14
--
Miami
0
0
0
15
--
Oklahoma
0
0
0
16
--
Pittsburgh
0
0
0
17
--
LSU
0
0
0
18
--
Penn State
0
0
0
19
--
Oregon State
0
0
0
20
--
Arkansas
0
0
0
21
--
Florida State
0
0
0
22
--
UNC
0
0
0
23
--
Utah
0
0
0
24
--
Cincinnati
0
0
0
25
--
Houston
0
0
0
Preseason Heisman Watch
Spoiler
Heisman Watch - Updated: Aug 30, 2010
NAME
POS
SCHOOL
SEASON STATS
Mark Ingram, JR
HB
Alabama
Case Keenum, RS SR
QB
Houston
Kellen Moore, RS JR
QB
Boise State
Terrelle Pryor, JR
QB
Ohio State
Jake Locker, RS SR
QB
Washington
Conference Predictions
Spoiler
ACC (Atlantic)
1. Florida State, 2. Clemson, 3. Boston College, 4. NC State, 5. Wake Forest, 6. Maryland (Coastal)
1. VA Tech, 2. Georgia Tech, 3. Miami, 4. UNC, 5. Virginia, 6. Duke Big 12 (North)
1. Oklahoma, 2. Oklahoma State, 3. Missouri, 4. Kansas, 5. Iowa State, 6. Kansas State (South)
1. Texas, 2. TCU, 3. Nebraska, 4. Texas Tech, 5. Baylor, 6. Texas A&M Big East
1. Pittsburgh, 2. Cincinnati, 3. West Virginia, 4. Rutgers, 5. UCONN, 6. Notre Dame, 7. Louisville Big Ten
1. Ohio State, 2. Iowa, 3. Wisconsin, 4. Penn State, 5. Michigan State, 6. Michigan, 7. Minnesota, 8. Purdue, 9. Illinois, 10. Northwestern, 11. Indiana C-USA (East)
1. ECU, 2. UCF, 3. Southern Miss., 4. Marshall, 5. Memphis, 6. UAB (West)
1. Houston, 2. Tulsa, 3. SMU, 4. UTEP, 5. North Texas, 6. Rice Independents
1. Navy, 2. Air Force, 3. Army MAC (East)
1. Ohio, 2. Toledo, 3. Buffalo, 4. BGSU, 5. Miami (OH), 6. Kent State, 7. Akron (West)
1. Central Michigan, 2. Western Michigan, 3. Northern Illinois, 4. Ball State, 5. WKU, 6. Eastern Michigan MWC
1. Utah, 2. BYU, 3. Colorado, 4. Wyoming, 5. Troy, 6. Colorado State, 7. Idaho, 8. Arkansas State, 9. Utah State Pac-10
1. Oregon, 2. USC, 3. Oregon State, 4. Cal, 5. Stanford, 6. Fresno State, 7. Washington, 8. UCLA, 9. Washington State, 10. San Jose State SEC (East)
1. Florida, 2. Georgia, 3. South Carolina, 4. Tennessee, 5. Kentucky, 6. Vandy (West)
1. Alabama, 2. LSU, 3. Arkansas, 4. Auburn, 5. Ole Miss, 6. Mississippi State Sun-Belt
1. USF, 2. Temple, 3. MTSU, 4. FAU, 5. LA Tech, 6. UL-Monroe, 7. Tulane, 8. UL-Lafayette, 9. FIU WAC
1. Boise State, 2. Arizona, 3. Nevada, 4. Arizona State, 5. UNLV, 6. Hawaii, 7. SDSU, 8. New Mexico, 9. New Mexico State