Bulldogs’ football staff changes create opportunities

HUNTSVILLE – There will be a "new" look and a brand new level of energy when the Bulldogs take the field for the 2016 football season.

And it won't be limited to the field. There will be some new faces on the sidelines and in the coaches' box this season.

Head Coach James Spady sees the staff changes as a "blessing in disguise."

"We lost some coaches (since the end of the 2015 season) and others took opportunities elsewhere," he said. "This is a blessing in disguise in that it created opportunities for other coaches and allowed us to tweak our chemistry."

Travis Pearson comes to The Hill from South Alabama as the new defensive coordinator while Clifton Herbert (recruiting coordinator/cornerbacks coach) and Marlon Watson (defensive line coach) moved up on the A&M staff.

"Clifton paid his dues as an assistant for a year and a half," Spady said. "And Marlon had been part-time."

Spady said the wholesale defensive changes are for the best, too.

"Coach Pearson brought Tracy Buckhannon (linebackers coach) with him," he said. "We went through the spring in the new defense … the players loved it and the system is suited for the talent we have here."

Changes came in a major fashion on the offensive side of the ball, as well.

Former offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Phil Dorn left recently to be the athletic director/head football coach at Fort Walton Beach High School – creating another opportunity.

"With Phil going to Fort Walton Beach, this gave me the opportunity to hire Keith Wagner," Spady said. Wagner, who coached most recently at North Carolina A&T, will be the offensive line coach for the Bulldogs.

"These two hires (Pearson and Wagner) are going to be the biggest and most important changes we were able to make. These two coaches bring a super-charged energy to our staff along with a wealth of football knowledge."

The Bulldogs' staff includes James Spady, head coach; Andy Fuller, assistant head coach/tackles and tight ends; Travis Pearson, defensive coordinator/secondary; Keith Wagner, offensive line; Willie Totten, quarterbacks/running backs; Marlon Watson, defensive line; Ryan O'Hara, wide receivers; Clifton Herbert, cornerbacks/recruiting coordinator; Tracy Buckhannon, linebackers; Matt Gladden, offensive assistant; Lonnie Brown, head strength and conditioning coach.

The Bulldogs report to training camp on Aug. 2 and open the season Sept. 3 at Middle Tennessee State.

The seventh annual Louis Crews Classic kicks off the home part of the schedule Sept. 17 when Prairie View A&M visits. Kickoff is 6 p.m. For ticket information, visit aamutix.com or call 256-372-4700.

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