UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

[beast10]

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Inspired by whughes and SilverBullet, I decided I wanted to do a TeamBuilder dynasty. I've done a few in the past (mostly high school, recently JUCO) but never posted them to the boards. A few days ago I looked up Division-1 schools without football teams, I pondered on Marquette, St. John's and a few others before I found UNF-- North Florida.

I feel this is a school with a lot of potential, plus it fulfills the ring of Florida's regional schools, we now have in FBS; North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida.

So, as of now I've written all 13 articles basically "building" the program through the in-game 2015 season, this being an aspect inspired by whughes. I did the walk-on edit, making all the original players seniors, but then I realized there's first season walk-ons as well, so we're very short in depth heading into year two-- but that'll only make things more fun.

I thought about downloading a few FCS teams and doing the first couple of years in the FCS division but that thought came too far down the line, although it isn't ruled out as a possibility. Just something new.

I plan on fully documenting the build-up of this UNF, we won't just jump right in with a fully loaded program, I'll reveal lots of information as we progress. I've taken a few tips that I've come across on the boards to give this more of a realistic feel, I've changed names, numbers, etc. The one thing I didn't do is implement recruiting restriction, something I never do simply because I don't like manually recruiting, instead I've let the CPU handle the responsibility, which I'm sure I'll probably regret in the future (but hopefully not)

Note: As to my Miami dynasty, I plan on running these together. I'm just starting to feel like the Miami one is becoming a chore, it's still fun but I put way too much effort in it. This will be more laid-back and won't be so graphic-dependent

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Rosters: http://www.operationsports.com/forum...0-now-ps3.html
Sliders: http://www.operationsports.com/forum...t-sliders.html
Quarter Length: 9 Minutes

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

Directory
Ospreys Archive

2015 Releases

Jan. 10, 2015 - UNF Football Program Gets Regents' Approval
Feb. 28, 2015 - UNF Hires Brian Jenkins as Program’s First Head Coach, Director of Football Operations
Feb. 10, 2015 - Flowers, Robinson Named UNF Football Coordinators
Aug. 25, 2015 - UNF Holds Tryouts
Sept. 1, 2015 - As Others Played, UNF Prepared
Sept. 26, 2015 - UNF Announces Stadium Deal
Oct. 8, 2015 - Construction Continues On UNF Venues
Oct. 8, 2015 - UNF Receives First Ever Commitment
Jan. 4, 2016 - Time Will Tell
Feb. 2, 2016 - UNF Football Signings
Mar. 2, 2016 - David Frank Athletic Center Officially Open
May. 4, 2016 - The Dream is Almost Here
May. 25, 2016 - 2016 Opponents
May. 25, 2016 - Signing Day Explanation

2016 Releases / Schedule / Roster

Schedule | Roster | Media Guide

Jul. 21, 2016 - UNF Unveils Football Uniforms for Inaugural NCAA Season
Jul. 24, 2016 - Lever Earns Preseason All-Independent Honors
Aug. 28, 2016 - Poinsette a Commanding Presence
Sept. 5, 2016 - UNF Opens Season Tomorrow!
Sept. 6, 2016 - UNF Drops Debut, 30-0
Sept. 9, 2016 - Antoine Bowers to Start Against FSU
Sept. 9, 2016 - UNF Travels to Florida State this Week
Sept. 13, 2016 - North Florida Falls to Florida State, 51-7
Sept. 16, 2016 - UNF Hosts USF for Homecoming
Sept. 20, 2016 - North Florida Loses Homecoming Showing, 23-7
Sept. 25, 2016 - North Florida Travels to Louisiana Tech this Saturday
Sept. 27, 2016 - UNF Loses Heartbreaker at Louisiana Tech, 42-41
Sept. 28, 2016 - Jerod Hearn Named Independents Players of the Week
Sept. 28, 2016 - UNF Lands First Two Signings of 2016
Sept. 28, 2016 - UNF Coach Unaware of Players-Only Meeting
Oct. 2, 2016 - UNF Focuses on Positives Leading up to Clemson Game
Oct. 4, 2016 - Clemson Downs UNF, 72-0
Oct. 9, 2016 - Serious Allegations Aimed Against UNF Football Coach
Oct. 10, 2016 - UNF Players Won’t Play, Practice until Coach is Removed
Oct. 10, 2016 - UNF Returns Home for North Texas
Oct. 10, 2016 - UNF Upsets North Texas in Historic First Victory
Oct. 12, 2016 - Deshawn Harris Named FBS Independents POTY
Oct. 15, 2016 - Jenkins Forced Out at UNF
Oct. 16, 2016 - UNF Signs Second Tight End
Oct. 16, 2016 - UNF Interim Coach Already Making Changes
Oct. 17, 2016 - Ospreys Football Prepares For No. 24 Ole Miss
Oct. 17, 2016 - North Florida Falls To No. 24 Ole Miss 38-0
Oct. 19, 2016 - UNF Receives Three Verbal Commitments
Oct. 22, 2016 - UNF Hosts UCONN This Week At EverBank Field
Oct. 25, 2016 - UNF Tops UConn, 27-14
Oct. 25, 2016 - Gaines Named Independents Defensive POTY
Oct. 27, 2016 - Myles Flanagan to Return Against Kent State
Oct. 28, 2016 - Ospreys Prepare for Kent State
Nov. 1, 2016 - UNF Drops 17-14 Decision to Kent State

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

lever

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North Florida Osprey football

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The North Florida Ospreys football team represents North Florida University, an NCAA Division-1 college football team. The Ospreys compete as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.

History

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Origins (2014-2015)

North Florida University football began play in 2016 with Brian Jenkins serving as head coach for just one month into the season.

In 2014, North Florida University announced it was pursuing the creation of an NCAA football program and that Brian Jenkins was going to lead the charge, as director of football operations and head coach. Despite a short, yet successful career at Bethune-Cookman, Coach Jenkins now undertook the role of building a program from scratch. In his first off-season, Jenkins inked the nation's 71st recruiting class including Keenan Lever, the number one ranked strong safety in JUCO rankings.

North Florida joined the NCAA Division I-A as an Independent team for the 2016 season. Its first-ever intercollegiate competition was against Texas A&M, which the Ospreys lost 30-0 in front of over 80,000 fans at Kyle Field.

Brian Jenkins Era (2014-2016)

After prepping the program up for a year, Jenkins only coached six games at North Florida before being forced to resign by the NCAA after the coach was issued a show-cause, the harshest penalty the NCAA can levy to an individual. Jenkins was brought upon in an investigation that revealed the head coach had violated numerous league regulations at both North Florida and his prior job at Bethune-Cookman including practice restraints, mistreatment, and improper benefits to players.

Jenkins resigned on October 15, 2016 with a record of 1-5 just five days after coaching his final game against North Texas which was the program's first win as they defeated the Eagles 32-31 behind a last second field goal. 20 North Florida players, including 13 starters, sat out in the game, stating they wouldn't return to any field activities until Jenkins was removed from position.

Kennard Robinson Era (2016-)


Records

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Conference affiliations:

• 2016: I-A Independent

Year-by-year

Date	Bowl	W/L	Opponent	PF	PA
Total	0 bowl games	0-0	Total	0	0

Head coaches

Seasons	Name	Tenure	Record	Bowls
2016	Brian Jenkins	1 year (6 games)	1-5	0
2016	Kennard Jenkins	Interim coach	2-4	0
Total	2 coaches	1 season	1-6	0

Bowl games

Date	Bowl	W/L	Opponent	PF	PA
Total	0 bowl games	0-0	Total	0	0

Against the State of Florida

Against nationally ranked opponents

Team	Date	Ranking	Outcome
Texas A&M	9/06/16	13	L 30-0
Florida State	9/13/16	12	L 51-7
Clemson	10/04/16	12	L 72-0
Ole Miss	10/18/16	24	L 38-0
All-time			0-4

Individual awards and honors

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Conference honors

• Player of the Week

• Jerod Hearn (2016 Independents, Week Five, OLB, Sr.)

• Deshawn Harris (2016 Independents, Week Seven, QB, Fr.)

• Jarrett Gaines (2016 Independents, Week Nine, MLB, Sr.)

• Keenan Lever (2016 Independents, Week Eleven, SS, Jr.)

• Preseason All-Confernece

• Keenan Lever (2016 Independents, SS, Jr.)

Current coaching staff

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Name	Current Title	Joined UNF	Alma Mater
Kennard Robinson	Interim Head Coach	2015	Western Kentucky
Mike Flowers	Defensive Cordinator	2015	Cincinnati
Adam Painter	Offensive Cordinator	2015	Florida

Notable alumni

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[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

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Dynasty History
NCAA Years In Review

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

Feel free to post

Edit: just realized I put edition instead of addition in the title, whoops, lol

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

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Adam Lemon, UNF President

UNF Football Program Gets Regents' Approval

Jan. 10, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The Board of Regents unanimously approved a Division I-A football program for North Florida University on Tuesday, paving the way for the Ospreys to field a team in 2016 in replacement of UAB’s now defunct program.

The board's vote ends years of planning and several delays for UNF's fledgling football program, part of the school's efforts to creating a more traditional college atmosphere. But the approval comes with a condition: UNF must have a stable stadium by 2017 that complies with the NCAA rules and regulations.

The university currently houses Hodge Stadium, which is ground to the school’s track and field matches. They have funded about $6.5 million for stadium renovation and expect to raise another $1 million in ticket sales. President Adam Lemon predicted the board's action would open the wallets of more prospective donors.

“We’ve had people begging for a football team for years,” Lemon said.

In 2012, Lemon released a letter to the UNF community saying “when the time is right, we will take another look at the topic [football].” Lemon went on to give readers background, citing financial issues as the leading benefactor as well as the school’s enrollment that wasn’t quite enough to support a football program.

The pressure grew more intense last year after North Florida University won approval for a football program. UNF, based in Jacksonville, will start play in 2016.

“It just wasn’t ideal at the time,” Lemon said. “But as promised, we revisited the idea and we were able to make ends meet and take it from there.”

Most new football programs lose money. Consultants estimate that UNF's program will be a losing venture for at least three years. They project an operating budget of about $2 million a year, not counting the cost of renovating and expanding Hodge Stadium on the UNF campus.

"This is something we've wanted for a long time," said Lukas Gaines, a UNF senior and president of the student government. "It's a really exciting time. I know I'll be coming back for games."

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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Brian Jenkins

UNF Hires Brian Jenkins as Program’s First Head Coach, Director of Football Operations

Feb. 10, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Former Bethune-Cookman University Football Coach, Brian Jenkins, has officially been named as North Florida’s inaugural head coach as well as the program’s director of football operations. Though the news came about in December, Jenkins became officially approved at university’s board of trustees meeting on Thursday, February 5.

UNF president and interim athletic director Adam Lemon stated that the university’s trustees agreed on $325,000 per year base salary and a four year contract. According to Daytona Beach News Journal, Jenkins was earning $265,000 per year at BCU. At the FBS level, Jenkins is under the average salary, but North Florida has promising perks that will soften the pay cut.

“We are excited to have him on board officially and we’re ready to see what he can do with the program,” Lemon said. “This isn’t going to be a cakewalk, and Brian [Jenkins] understands that. We have a project here that’ll take both time and patience.”

UNF’s football team was officially approved by NCAA regents two months ago. They’ll play out their program’s first season next year in 2016.

Jenkins, 43, was a three time MEAC Coach of the Year at Bethune-Cookman where he compiled an overall record of 46-14 and 34-6 in conference play through his five years of duty. He led the Wildcats to a share of four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, along with three FCS playoff berths and a pair of 10-win seasons. A number of Jenkins’ players from Bethune-Cookman have spoken out about transferring to UNF.

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

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Flowers, Robinson Named UNF Football Coordinators

Feb. 28, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Both coordinator positions have been assumed within the North Florida coaching staff, announced Brian Jenkins, recently named UNF Director of Football Operations and Head Coach.

Mike Flowers will handle the defense, while Kennard Robinson takes responsibilities of the offense

“These are both men I’ve known for quite some time. It’s easy to say that I was very happy when they agreed to come down to Jacksonville with me,” said Jenkins. “They have experience, the dedication, and all the elements needed to build up a program— which he is exactly what we’ll need here at UNF.”

Both Flowers, 42, and Robinson, 37, were on Bethune-Cookman’s staff during the time of Jenkins’ tenure, holding the same positions they were hired for at UNF. The two individuals helped assist with the program that racked up some of the best numbers in their respective conference in route to four MEAC titles within five years.

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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UNF Holds Tryouts

Aug. 25, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — North Florida University’s head coach Brian Jenkins met with over 60 students, Thursday night, as the first wave of walk-ons gathered for an orientation meeting in preparation for their attempt to land a stop on the UNF football team.

“I’m not at all surprised by the turnout,” said Jenkins. “It was pleasing to see so many young men interested in joining the program.”

UNF begins practice at the Practice Field, Monday afternoon at the UNF Jacksonville campus.

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As Others Played, UNF Prepared

Sept. 1, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — In a year of first, the North Florida University football team reached yet another milestone Tuesday afternoon. For the first time, the inaugural football team went through a full-contact practice in pads.

“They looked good out there, the enthusiasm was there and you could tell all those young men wanted to be out there,” said UNF head coach Brian Jenkins.

The number of players at Tuesday’s practice including kickers and punters totaled 110. Next year Jenkins and his staff will only get to dress 70 players in compliance of the NCAA dress policy.

“We had a lot of guys out there going hard,” said Jenkins. “It’ll be tough making cuts later on down the line but for now, we’re building a foundation here at UNF.”

North Florida will continue practice each afternoon for the remainder of the week before introducing a new series of weekly intrasquad scrimmages starting later next month.

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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EverBank Field

UNF Announces Stadium Deal

Sept. 26, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — North Florida University football now has a place to call home next season. The University unveiled an agreement with EverBank Field in which all UNF home games will be played at the Jacksonville facility beginning with UNF’s inaugural season in 2016. The deal allows for UNF to play at EverBank Field for a maximum of three years.

“Playing at an NFL venue, even if it’s a home game, is an honor to any college student,” said UNF head coach Brian Jenkins, a former Cincinnati Bearcat. “This is an addition that’ll really help us with scheduling while also giving our fan base a fantastic and comfortable stadium.”

EverBank Field is home to the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jacksonville Armada FC of North American Soccer League. The facility also plays host to the NCAA’s TaxSlayer Bowl.

“We’re excited about hosting the UNF Ospreys and being a part of their history,” said EverBank President Tom Crane. “This is a football program that’s surely on the pathway to success.”

Capacity at the stadium for UNF’s home games will be 67,164. Ticket sales will be handled on both the universities behalf as well as the EverBank box office. The Ospreys will begin intercolligate play in September 2016 as a NCAA Division 1-A Independent. Next year’s schedule will be released at a later date.

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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Hodge Stadium, Currently

Construction Continues On UNF Venues

Oct. 8, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — When North Florida University was approved of a football team late last year the main subject of discussion during board meetings quickly became the building and renovating of athletics facilities around campus. In the agreement to join FBS football, regents gave UNF a time frame of three years before they’d be penalized for not having a stadium that met NCAA requirements.

So far progress has been on tack. UNF inked a contract to play their home games at EverBank Field for those three years. Hodge Stadium, the on-campus venue, continues to hold construction but the main headline of UNF is the steady uprising of the David Frank Center, a multi-million dollar athletic facility in the process on being made thanks to a generous donation of former UNF alum.

The planned 48,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art-facility is planned to serve as a nerve center for each and every athletic team at UNF. Features are intended to include locker rooms for a number of sports, training room, weight room, meeting rooms and coaches’ offices.

“Athletic facilities are essential to opening doors in the recruiting cycle,” head coach Brian Jenkins said. “We can’t thank Mr. Frank enough for what he’s done here. This project is another big upstart for our football program.”

Meanwhile, blueprints for the Hodge Stadium have been released. The venue is expected to seat a capacity of just under 30,000 people while also featuring numerous skyboxes and luxury seating options. There is no scheduled completion to the stadium as of now. See below the blueprints:

[thesportsguru11]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

Too bad to hear you feel that way about your Miami dynasty. I can say that I've felt that way about my UConn 'chise at times as well, a good break can help, or simply making changes to how you operate (I changed up my Around the NCAA format over the past two seasons for this reason). Hopefully you'll find it in you to keep it up. Looking forward to this one!

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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Josiah Thomas

UNF Receives First Ever Commitment

Oct. 8, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Five thousand percent.

That’s how much easier North Florida football coach Brian Jenkins believes recruiting will be this year.

“When I say 5,000 percent I’m exaggerating, but not by much,” Jenkins said.

UNF nabbed its first football commitment, Tuesday, in school history. Josiah Thomas (Port Charlotte, FL), a two-star offensive lineman, handed the inaugural program his verbal. Thomas mulled over the chain of regions; North Florida, South Florida, and Central Florida. At the end, the Ospreys came away with the in-state recruit.

“The idea of coming out to play football for a brand new program is one of the most intriguing things to many of these young men,” Jenkins said, a main benefactor in the recruiting circuit so far. “They’re all thinking ‘hey, I could be a star here’, and quite frankly at this point, if they work hard enough that can very well be the case.”

Josiah Thomas, of Port Charlotte High School, is a hulking prospect at 6-foot and 297 pounds. The all-conference nose guard earned the attention of multiple Division-1 programs over the summer after turning in notable numbers in multiple combines. Not only did Thomas squat 620 pounds, but the near-300 pound lineman also clocked a 4.72 forty, the fastest amongst all lineman recorded in the Sunshine State.

“That’s the type of young man that shows, not tells,” said Jenkins. “You look at his tape and it’s not hard to see the improvement. He’ll be a big piece for us moving forward.”

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Edition to the Sunshine State

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Head Coach, Brian Jenkins

Time Will Tell

Jan. 4, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The 2015 college football season is now complete as Ohio State routed Georgia Tech 47-20 in their second straight BCS National Championship victory. In Florida, we find the chain of teams within the Sunshine State on top of things as four of its seven universities finished the year with a winning record as well as bowl appearances. Now, all the attention goes to recruitment of the UNF 2016 football team.

North Florida University is in a much different situation than one year ago. For the first time, they're working with a full deck: a full coaching staff, a first year schedule, EverBank Field, the David Frank Center, and a 68-member football team. All are in place where none was a year ago, giving confidence that this recruiting class will outstrip the wonderful first class.

Of 16 commitments in hand, five students are enrolled this spring semester and eight will arrive on campus in August 2016. They'll make up part of the 25 to 30 players to be signed in February.

The team's goal, according to Coach Brian Jenkins, is to sign two tight ends, three offensive linemen, seven defensive linemen, two linebackers, three defensive backs, three running back, and four wide receivers. Anticipation grows as the team lost no recruits over the holiday break. Jenkins has spoken out about his plans to of the recruiting trail. In the next three weeks, the first-year coach will visit 15 homes weekly, Sunday through Thursday.

“This is our first class, it’s going to be the foundation of this program,” Jenkins said. “We may lose one or two players, we may pick up one or two where we didn't think we had a chance.”

[beast10]

Re: UNF Ospreys Football: The Newest Addition to the Sunshine State

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Caleb Poinsette, Highest Rated Signee

UNF Football Signings

Feb. 2, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The countdown to North Florida University's first football season continued Wednesday with the announcement of the team's second recruiting class. Head coach and Director of Football Operations, Brian Jenkins, announced 25 scholarship student athletes have been added to the UNF football roster.

“Today was great day for us at UNF, this was a tremendous class we put together,” said Jenkins. “I feel even more confident because we’ve got men coming in that really want to play for our program. Their arrivals next fall is something we’re all looking forward to.

In all, eight of the 25 players are from outside of the state of Florida. The class was good for the #71 ranking, according to ESPN. It features nine three-star recruits, 13 two-stars, which is the most of any FBS team, and just a single one-star.

Jenkins credits the work of his coaching staff in the success the program has made in bringing in some of the region's top talent.

“I’ve gotten most of the credit on the [recruiting] trial but my assistants have put in a lot of work over the last couple of months,” he said. “They know more about every kid in the North Florida territory than Miami, Florida, Florida State, South Florida, or anybody else. For that reason we are going to be successful over the years.”

"We are fully loaded and fully prepared to start this journey now, said Jenkins.

UNF begins play in September against Texas A&M after years of preparation.

The list of UNF recruits signed Wednesday:

Spoiler

North Florida also lost four players to decommitments (due to recruiting glitch):

Spoiler

In addition, UNF received the word from two transfers as well as 10 former Bethune-Cookman players who played under coach Jenkins, all 10 of the BCU players will be eligible to play in 2016 per NCAA transfer exceptions (these players are glitches from the TeamBuilder file):

Spoiler