HU Pirates, coach again adjusting

This week, the Daily Press takes a look at a few spring questions facing local and state football programs. Today, Hampton University.

1Will new coach Donovan Rose improve on predecessor Jerry Holmes' 6-5 record?

On paper, it's possible. The Pirates have plenty of experience back on both sides of the ball and get 2008 MEAC champion South Carolina State at home. But HU got off to a quick 5-1 start in Holmes' only season as head coach before losing four of its last five games in a head-scratching implosion.

2How is Rose adjusting to his new job?

Rose, the Pirates' defensive coordinator last season after 17 years as their secondary coach, ascended abruptly to the top job when Holmes and Hampton parted ways in January. A week into spring practice, he's focusing on more details than ever before, monitoring players' on- and off-field actions. "You put in a lot of time and you want to make sure that everything is right," Rose said. "When you're in this position and you see it — I don't think, as a whole, coaches get enough credit, because they're the ones that do all the work."

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