Southern coach Pete Richardson went years without a losing season, but now has had two in a row and pressure is mounting on the coach to turn it around.The Jaguars finished the 2006 season 5-6 overall, 4-5 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Richardson has added a new offensive coordinator, Mark Orlando, who held that same job under Richardson from 1993 through 2001. Also rejoining the coaching staff are Damon Nivens as offensive line coach and Elvis Joseph as running back coach.
Southern returns 45 lettermen from last season's team -- 22 on offense, 18 on defense and three on special teams. The Jaguars will also return 17 starters.
But since the spring, seven players were declared academically ineligible and two left. Also, free safety Randy Thomas and wide receiver Corderious Gregory had knee surgeries in the spring and are likely out for the year.
"It hurts the depth, which is going to be crucial the first two or three games," Richardson said.
The Jaguars will return all three quarterbacks from last season and add Warren Mathews to the battle for starter.
The Southern running game suffered through an injury-filled season in 2006, with quarterbacks Bryant Lee and C.J. Byrd the top returning rushers.
With Orlando in charge, the Jaguars are expected to be a little more balanced on offense this year.
Running back Darren Coates returns for his senior year, and the ground game should receive an additional boost from Southern Illinois transfer Kendrick Smith.
Southern led the SWAC in pass defense last season and ranked second in tackles for losses. The top five tacklers from last season will be back.
Southern's defense will be led by first-team all SWAC selection Jarmaul George. George finished sixth on the team in tackles last season with 51 and led the secondary with five interceptions.
The Southern secondary should be one of the strongest units on the team.
Joining George in the secondary will be the leading tackler on the team from last season, safety Glenn Bell.
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