Long road ahead for Southern Jaguars

Coach Stump Mitchell

Baton Rouge, LA - A year ago at this time, Southern University second-year coach Stump Mitchell made the bold preseason prediction the Jaguars could go 12-0, nabbing a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and possibly a Black College National Championship.

Mitchell's hopes for a stellar inaugural season on the Bluff, however, never came to fruition. Instead, the former NFL running back coached SU to a 2-9 record, its worst season in school history. Since then, Mitchell and his coaching staff only have asked for one thing: change. And, as Mitchell says, it starts with him.

As the 2011 season approaches, there have been no such statements. No predictions. Only hard work.

"We look different academically. We look different in terms of the attitude of players. We're just a whole new team," Mitchell said. "This year our guys understand no one can stay pat and expect to retain their position. Same thing with me. I can't stay pat and expect to maintain my job. That's just the way life is, and everyone is doing things in order ...

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