Tough schedule requires tough Tigers, says U of M new football coach

by Dr. Jesse F. McClure
Special to the Tri-State Defender

When Larry Porter, the new University of Memphis head football coach, met with members of the media on Tuesday, he outlined his goals for Spring practice, which began the next day.

Larry Porter

Porter, the first African American to lead the Tigers as head coach, stressed that he wanted his team to be “tough.”

At the same meeting, when the new season’s football schedule was made public, it became clear that Porter’s team had better be tough because the schedule is very tough.

Memphis opens its season Sept. 4, traveling to Mississippi State, an up-and-coming team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

The Tigers next travel to Greenville, N.C., to face perennial Conference USA powerhouse East Carolina. The Pirates are led by first-year coach Ruffin McNeill, who also is African American.

On Oct. 9, the Tigers travel to Kentucky to face their historic rival, the University of Louisville. The Cardinals are led by Charlie Strong, yet another first-year coach who is African American.

The  home schedule does not ease up for Porter’s crew with  games against Tulsa, Southern Mississippi and the University of Houston. Kevin Sumlin, an African American , is in his third year as the Houston head football coach .

On Nov. 6, Porter and his Tigers host the Tennessee Volunteers at the Liberty Bowl Stadium.

The Tigers will also face off against Middle Tennessee, UTEP, Marshall, UAB and the University of Central Florida in the course of the season.

Ready for the Challenge

Meeting with the media, Porter and his assistant coaches expressed confidence in their ability to steer the Tiger football program.  Porter, who was a star running back for the Memphis Tigers during his college career from 1990-93, has had success as an assistant coach at Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State, Oklahoma State, and at Louisiana State University.

The Tigers’ new headman has hired assistant coaches with a wide variety of backgrounds.  Heads turned when Porter announced that former University of Alabama head coach Mike Dubose would be his defensive line coach. Dubose came to Memphis from Millsaps College in Jackson Miss., where he was both head coach and defensive coordinator.

Dubose said he is excited to be in Memphis. “I have a lot to give to the  Memphis program,” he said.

In contrast to Dubose, Porter added former Michigan State and NFL star Sedrick Irvin to his staff as the running backs coach. Irvin served as an intern with the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide. This is Irvin’s first full time coaching position.

Unlike Irvin, offensive line coach John McDonell is a veteran of coaching staffs, including Washington State, Stanford, Purdue and most recently, Bowling Green.

Somewhere between the experience of Irvin and McDonnell, linebackers coach Galen Scott has had several years of coaching experience at Illinois State and Tulsa.

“I am really excited to be here, in part, because I have family in Byhalia, Miss.,” said Scott, who met Porter when they were both recruiting the same area.

Porter added Eric Price to his staff as offensive coordinator. Price, the son of former Washington St. and current UTEP head coach Mike Price, has both the pedigree and experience to stand out among conference coordinators.

Porter reached out to the University of Michigan to get Jay Hopson as his defensive coordinator. Hopson, an Ole Miss alumnus, has a lengthy coaching resume.

Porter said the Tigers will use a pro style offense, with his quarterback under the center most of the time. The defense, Porter said, will operate with a four-man front.

Asked about the details of the offense, offensive line coach McDonell said players – not the scheme – win games.

“It’s not the X’s and O’s, it’s the Jimmy and Joes.”