23 2007 Choctaw Football 23 Head Coach Norman JOSEPH Head Football Coach [email protected]

Norman Joseph enters his third season as the head football coach at Missis- sippi College after becoming the 17th head coach in Choctaw football history in 2005 Two years ago the Vicksburg native took over a struggling program that had pro- duced records of 4-6, 3-7 and 1-9 in the three previous seasons. He has rebuilt the program in the two years since taking the job and has the Choctaws again mentioned among the conference's elite. The team has shown steady progress under Joseph's guidance with a 2-8 first year record and 5-5 season last year. The 2007 Choctaws return 16 total starters including record-setting quarterback Adam Shaffer, preseason All-American wide receiver Jake Allen and All-Ameri- can punter Jonathan Russell. Joseph led the Choctaws to a .500 record in the tough American Southwest Conference last year despite the loss of quarterback Adam Shaffer in the first game of the season. The Choctaws did not miss a beat offensively as the team went on to rank 11th in the nation in total offense (420.3) and passing yardage (276.6). All-American wide receiver Jake Allen produced the best statistical season for an MC wide receiver finishing with a school record 1,024 yards. Quarterback Brad Madden passed for 2,025 yards, the 5th highest total in school history. Under his tutelage a two seasons ago, freshman quarterback Adam Shaffer set all of MC’s freshman passing records including passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Shaffer also set a school record in the season finale with seven touchdowns against Belhaven College. After just one rebuilding season, Joseph returns a team poised for a breakout season with ten returning starters on defense and seven returning starters on offense. Three seasons ago as the head coach of College, Joseph quickly turned around a struggling Wildcat program. The Wildcats enjoyed their best season since 1962 (5-5) and set 38 team and 41 individual LC records. Under Joseph's tutelage the Wildcat offense ranked among the best in the country finishing seventh in passing of- fense, 15th in total offense and 28th in scoring offense. His team led the American Southwest Conference in total receptions, total receiving yards and all-purpose yards. Three of their five losses were by a com- bined eight points including two overtime losses. His team also exhibited excellence in the classroom with 14 players earning ASC All-Academic status, the most in school history. Prior to his year at , Joseph spent the 2003 sea- son as the offensive coordinator at Midwestern State University. There he built his offense around a punishing ground attack finishing second in the Lone Star Conference in rushing and leading the league with the fewest sacks allowed. Their 5.3 yards per carry average set a new school record. During the 2001 and 2002 seasons Joseph served as the offensive coordinator at San Jose State University of the Western Athletic Confer- ence. During his first season in 2001 his Spartan offense helped set a new Western Athletic Conference record for total offense in a single game with 849 yards. They also helped set a new NCAA record for com- bined total offense in a game with 1,640 yards. The Spartans ranked 18th in the country that season in passing offense. The Spartan offense followed that season with another breakout year in which they ranked 24th in the country in passing offense and total offense, second in the WAC in individual passing efficiency and third in the WAC in team passing efficiency and scoring offense. 24 2007 Choctaw Football 24 Head Coach Norman Joseph

Before coaching at San Jose State, Joseph took on the task of College Head Coach starting the football program at Belhaven College in 1997 where he 2005-Present spent three seasons as the head coach of the Blazers. In his first two • Led an offense last season (2006) that ranked 11th seasons he was the only NAIA coach in the nation to produce a 1,000 nationally in total offense (420.3 ypg) and also 11th in yard rusher and 1,000 yard receiver in back to back seasons. In his passing offense (276.6 ypg). second season (1999) he led the Blazers to a Top 25 national ranking • Junior wide receiver Jake Allen set a new school record for six consecutive weeks. That season his team had ten First Team All- with 1,024 receiving yards (2006). Conference players and ten Second Team All Conference players. His • Coached quarterback Brad Madden to the 5th-most teams combined to go 16-15 in three years playing against teams who passing yards in school history (2,025 ypg) (2006). had been in competition for several years. • Freshman quarterback Adam Shaffer set seven school During the 1994-1996 seasons Joseph served as the offensive passing records including yards, completions and coordinator at the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1996 his touchdowns (2005). Golden Eagle offense ranked second in the conference in scoring and • Seven players earned All-ASC honors including two led the nation in turnover margin. He also coached a quarterback to a All-Americans (DT Eric Morris, P Jonathan Russell) in #4 NCAA ranking in passing efficiency. He helped USM go 20-13 over 2005. his three years with most of the losses against nationally ranked SEC and ACC teams. Louisiana College Head Coach Prior to his coaching job at USM he was the offensive coordinator (2004) at Northeast Louisiana University. His NLU offense became the first • Last year led Louisiana College to best season since NCAA offense in history to produce a 2,000 yard passer, two 1,000 1962 (5-5). yard rushers and a 1,000 yard receiver in one year. He helped NLU to • Passing Offense ranked #7 in NCAA and #2 in ASC four straight winning seasons ranking #1 in the conference in scoring, (301 ypg). passing and total offense. His offense ranked eighth in the country • Total Offense ranked #15 in NCAA. in scoring offense in 1992 and third in the country in 1993. NLU won • Scoring Offense ranked #28 in NCAA. conference championships in 1990 and 1992. They also received Divi- • Set 38 team and 41 individual school records. sion IAA playoff berths in 1990, 1992 and 1993. Before Northeast Louisiana University, Joseph was the passing Midwestern State Offensive Coord. game and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern State University (2003) in 1988 and 1989 where he won a conference championship and • Rushing offense ranked #2 in Lone Star Conference earned a #8 NCAA national ranking. They also led the conference in (204 ypg)(2003). scoring, total offense and rushing offense. In 1987 he was the passing • Set school record averaging 5.3 yards per carry (2003). and recruiting coordinator at Louisiana Tech University. He was a posi- tion coach at Northeast Louisiana University from 1978-1986. He also San Jose State Offensive Coord. served as a volunteer coach at Vanderbilt University in 1977. (2001-2002) Joseph played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs • Passing Offense ranked #24 in NCAA (2002). and gained Churchman All-American honors in 1976. He earned his • Total Offense ranked #24 in NCAA (2002). Master of Education Degree from Northeast Louisiana University in • Passing Offense ranked #18 in NCAA (2001). 1979 and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi State in • Total Offense ranked #23 in NCAA (2001). 1977. Belhaven College HeaD Coach (1997-2000) • Only NAIA team in history to produce a 1,000 yard rusher and 1,000 yard receiver in a school's first two seasons of existence. • Led Belhaven to top 25 ranking for six consecutive weeks in second season of play (1999). • Ten First Team All-Conference players and ten Second Team All-Conference players (1999).

Southern Miss. Offensive Coord. (1994-1996) • Scoring Offense ranked #2 in CUSA (1996). • Coached Quarterback to #4 ranking in NCAA in Passing efficiency (1996). • Teams went 20-13 during three years.

Northeast Louisiana Offensive Coord. (1990-1993) • Delivered a 2,000 yard passer, two 1,000 yard rushers and a 1,000 yard receiver in the same season (first time in NCAA history). • Four straight winning seasons being #1 in conference in scoring offense / total offense. • Helped lead Northeast Louisiana to three Division I-AA championship playoff berths (1990/1992/1993).

25 2007 Choctaw Football 25 Assistant Coaches Brian YOUNG Assistant Football Coach Defensive Coordinator Recruiting Coordinator [email protected]

Brian Young enters his third season on the Choctaw staff but assumes a new role as the defensive coordinator. He will continue in his role as the recruiting coordinator. Young earned the promotion in the off- season after two solid years coaching the defensive secondary. Under his leadership, the young Choctaw secondary turned into one of the ASC's best with two players earning All-ASC selection. Last year the Choctaws surrendered just 205 yards through the air per game and fin- ished second in the league with 15 pass interceptions. Junior cornerback Keith Haydel and sophomore safety Ryne Davison each earned All-ASC honors. Davison has flourished under Young's coaching with ten intercep- tions in his first two seasons. He is on pace to set a new school record for career interceptions. Young joined the Choctaw coaching two year's ago after working with Coach Norman Joseph at Louisiana College. Young's addition to the staff was a huge boost to the program considering his impressive resume and experience as a standout at Georgia Southern and former player in the National Football League. He still has NFL ties routinely working team camp with the Buffalo Bills as an invited guest coach. Young's first season was challenging working with mostly underclass- men in the starting defensive backfield. After losing the team’s leading tackler to injury, Young started three freshmen and one sophomore the final six weeks of the season. Despite the youth, he kept the young group near the top of the ASC in allowed passing yardage for most of the season. Under his leadership, freshman safety Ryne Davison earned All-ASC honors by picking off an ASC-high six passes. Sophomore Keith Haydel also became one of the top cover corners in the league. The defensive backfield will be among the ASC’s best this season with everyone return- ing. Before joining the Choctaw staff Young served as the head coach of the Canton Legends of the Atlantic Arena Football League. With the Legends he worked as both the offensive and defensive coordinator. His team set a league record with 96 points in a win over the Carolina Ghost Riders and he led the team to the second round of the playoffs. He also filled the role of Player Personnel Director and handled football opera- tions. Prior to working with the Legends he was already heavily involved in both Arena League divisions with several coaching stops. Young served as the defensive coordinator of the Grand Rapids Rampage, the defensive back coach of the Georgia Force and the defensive coordinator of the Pensacola Barracudas. Three seasons ago he worked on Coach Joseph's staff at Louisiana College as the defensive back coach and special teams assistant. In just one season he put together a secondary that led the American Southwest Conference and ranked second in the country in pass breakups while also picking off thirteen passes. Under his tutelage, two Louisiana College defensive backs received All-American honors, Clay Matchett and Justin Charles. Three Wildcats ranked among the ASC's best in pass breakups. Young spent his playing career at Georgia Southern University where he played three years as a defensive back. After graduation, he spent one season with the New England Patriots going through team camp and mak- ing the practice squad. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks and Recreation from Georgia Southern. 26 2007 Choctaw Football 26 Assistant Coaches Chris FANCHER Offensive Line Coach Running Game Coordinator [email protected]

Mississippi College offensive line coach Chris Fancher is entering his second season with the Choctaws after a three-year stint at Midwestern State University. Fancher was a huge addition to Head Coach Norman Joseph’s staff bringing with him a total of ten years experience coach- ing on the collegiate level and another six years in high school. Last year Fancher made an immediate impact with the offensive lineman putting together one of the top units in the American Southwest Conference. The o-line surrendered just seven sacks all season, the 8th fewest number of sacks allowed in the nation. The o-line also helped pave the way for a Choctaw offense that ranked 11th in the country in total offense. Senior running back Kalvin Smith earned First Team All-ASC honors rushing for 840 yards. Offensive tackle C. J. Herring earned Second Team All-ASC honors in just his freshman season with the Choctaws. Senior center Kern Hoff also earned Second Team All-ASC honors. At Midwestern State, Fancher teamed with Coach Joseph to build one of the most successful offenses in the Lone Star Conference. With Joseph as the offen- sive coordinator and Fancher the offensive line coach, Midwestern averaged over 200 yards rushing including a school record 5.7 yards per carry average in the 2003 season. In two seasons with Joseph at Midwestern, the offense produced surrendered just 13 sacks and produced a 1,000 rusher. A total of six offensive linemen earned All-Conference honors including one All-Midwest Region lineman. In 2004, Fancher was elevated to Co-Offensive Coordinator as well as Running Game Coordinator. Midwestern went 8-2 that season and earned the school’s first ever berth in the NCAA Division II National Playoffs. Two more lineman earned All-Conference honors. Before joining the Midwestern staff, Fancher spent one season at Missouri Southern and four years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College from 1997- 2001. At Northeastern Oklahoma, Fancher helped the team win two Southwest Junior College Conference championships and coached a total of 16 offensive lineman and tight ends to Division I scholarships. Before joining the staff at Northeastern Oklahoma, Fancher coached for six years In the high school ranks at Midwest City, Duncan, Claremore and Tulsa Memorial. He served as the offensive line coach at each stop in addition to the title of offensive coordinator at Claremore High School. In addition to his coaching stops, Fancher has worked football camps at the University of Tulsa, the University ofState University and the University of Ne- braska. He has also owned and operated the Mid-America Offensive Line School in Tulsa, OK, and the Mid-State Offensive Line School in Oklahoma City, OK. Before his coaching career began, Fancher spent five years as an offensive lineman at the University of Tulsa where he received his Bachelor of Science de- gree in Business Administration. He later earned a Master of Science in College Teaching in Health & Human Performance at Northeastern State University. Fancher is married to wife Rena and together they have two children, Abigail and Alayna.

27 2007 Choctaw Football 27 Assistant Coaches Lewis Tim TILLMAN YANCY Assistant Football Coach Assistant Football Running Backs Equipment Coordinator [email protected] Lewis Tillman enters his second season on the Choctaw coaching staff after joining Tim Yancy is the longest tenured member of Coach Joseph before last season. Tillman the athletic staff as he will continue to work with the running backs enters his 26th season with the Choctaws. where his seven years experience as a run- Yancy is a 1983 graduate of Mississippi Col- ning back in the National Football League lege and has been a staple for the depart- will help improve the position. ment since graduation. During a career that Last season Tillman's running backs has extended into three decades, Yancy has finished fourth in the American Southwest handled a variety of different responsibili- Conference averaging 143.7 yards rushing per game. Senior tailback Kalvin ties. He currently serves as the equipment coordinator for the football team as Smith ran for 840 yards, the third highest total in the ASC. Smith earned First well the head of facilities for all of Choctaw athletics . He is in charge of outfit- Team All-ASC honors. ting the football team with Tillman entered the NFL in 1989 after a stellar career at Jackson State Uni- equipment and supplies as versity. He began his NFL playing career with the New York Giants and spent well as managing Robin- five years as a running back and special teams player. In 1993, he led the Gi- son-Hale Stadium and A. E. ants in rushing and was among the top ten rushers in the league. He also was Wood Coliseum. part of a Super Bowl Championship team in 1991. Overall, he enjoyed three During his under- playoff seasons with the Giants. graduate years, Yancy also He spent his two NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears. In 2004, he led the served as football and Bears in rushing and played in the playoffs in 2005. He was a four-time recipi- equipment room manager. ent of the game ball in just two years. He is heavily involved in Prior to the NFL, Tillman enjoyed a great career with the Tigers of JSU where other aspects of the he was a two-time Kodak All-American and recipient of the Walter Payton Tro- athletic department such phy as the nation's top running back. He was also a team captain and Walter as hosting championship Camp All-American in addition to being named the SWAC Offensive Player of events. He is married to the the Year. He won the Most Valued Player award in both the East-West and former Rose Cooley. Blue-Gray All-Star games. He was inducted into the JSU Hall of Fame in 2004. Since returing from the NFL, Tillman has found success in coaching and the business world. He has been the offensive coordinator at Jim Hill High School from 1997-2006 and helped turn aroudn a six-year losing streak with a 9-2 record in 2002 and 7-5 record in 2001. He has also worked training camps Johnny with the Dallas Cowboys (2005) and the Rhein Fire (2006) of NFL Europe. He is the founder and president of the Lewis Tillman Foundation, a non- BALL profit organization in Hazlehurst that sponsors and promotes free annual football skill-building camps for young athletes. He is also the owner of a Assistant Coach successful business engaged in buying, selling, renting and financing of real Linebackers estate. [email protected] Tillman is married with two children. Former Choctaw defensive tackle Johnny Ball enters his third season on the Missis- sippi College coaching staff as a graduate assistant after playing two seasons with the Choctaws. Ball has worked on both sides of the ball and will again make a position move, this time to linebackers after working with the tight last year. Two seasons ago as a graduate assistant, Ball was a defensive assistant working with all defensive positions. His experience on the defense will help him make a smooth transi- tion. Ball's biggest responsibility has been in the weight room where he is responsible for the strength and conditioning of the football program. With Ball filling the position of strength coach, he has helped prepare the Choctaws for the 2007 season through a strenuous offseason program in which a large percentage of the players saw major strenght gains. As a member of the Choctaw football team, Ball started four games during the 2003 season and saw action in nine games during the 2004 campaign. He also earned ASC All-Academic selection. Prior to his career at Mississippi College he played for Coach Don Green at Southwest Community College starting 20 games over two seasosn. He played in High School for Charlie Newlon at Parklane Academy and was a first team all-state selection. The McComb native earned his degree in Criminal Justice. He is the son of Larry and Mary Beth Black and Lane and Debbie Ball.

28 2007 Choctaw Football 28 Assistant Coaches Jake Trey HELVESTON SULLIVAN Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Defensive Line Defensive Assistant [email protected] [email protected] Trey Sullivan enters his third season working Jake Helveston joined the Choctaw coaching with the Choctaw coaching staff as a student staff last season as a graduate assistant assistant. Although a student assistant, he filling the position of defensive line coach. has maintained a high level of responsibility He will resume those duties this season in within the program as a coach and recruiter. his second year working with the defensive Sullivan has put together several standout front. recruiting classes working primarily the state Last season under his coaching, sophomore of . The Choctaws will have over 30 defensive tackle Brannon Willisson garned honorable mention All-ASC selec- players on the roster from Alabama this season due in large part to the recruit- tion. Jake has added another experienced coach to the defensive line after ing of Coach Sullivan. a stellar career at the University of Redlands in Redlands, CA, one of the pre- Sullivan spent one season with the Choctaws as a player before injuries miere Division III programs in the country. With 26 SCIAC titles, including nine forced the end of his playing career and the beginning of his coaching career. since 1990, the Bulldogs are one of the top programs in the West. The team As a high school standout, Sullivan played for Citronelle High School in Cit- has won 80% of its conference games since 1988 (78-19-0) and ranks second ronelle, AL, where he lettered in football, and track. He is the son of Lainer in overall winning percentage for all of California's colleges since 1990 with an Sullivan and Carol Sullivan and is pursuing his degree in education. impressive 100-46 mark. Helveston was a standout at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs twice earning All-SCIAC honors in addition to Defensive Lineman of the Year honors for the team. During his career the Bulldogs won three conference championships Kern and achieved a national ranking of #17 following the 2003 season, his senior season. HOFF Following his playing career, Helveston spent two years at Mt. Pleasant High Assistant Coach School where he was the head coach of the junior varsity football team and Offensive Line Assistant the head varsity coach of the wrestling team. As a high school player, Helveston enjoyed an all-star career in football as well as wrestling and . In the 189 lb weight class, he finished 10th in the state of California in wrestling and was an all-league selection on the Former Choctaw standout center Kern Hoff diamond. He also was the recipient of his high school's scholar-athlete of the will begin his coaching career this season year award. as a graduate assistant coach on Coach At the University of Redlands, Helveston earned his Bachelor of Arts in His- Norman Joseph's staff. Hoff will serve as the tory degree. assistant offensive line coach after a stellar He is the son of John and Lucy Helveston. His father is the pastor of East player career at Mississippi College. Valley Church in San Jose, CA. Hoff was a three year starter for the Choc- taws at his center position. He anchored a line that allowed just seven sacks last year and earned Second Team All-ASC honors in the process. Hoff was an honorable mention All-ASC selection following the 2005 season and made the ASC All-Academic team every year he was eligible. Hoff spent his playing career at Brookhaven High School and was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama all-star game. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration and is the son of Greg and Jody Hoff.

29 2007 Choctaw Football 29 Athletic Training ATHLETIC TRAINing The Mississippi College athletic training department has earned a Matt reputation of excellence and looks to continue that reputation under the direction of new Head Athletic Trainer Matt Verret. Verret follows VERRET former athletic trainers Deborah Dunn, Josh Hardin and John Tillery Head Athletic Trainer and is well respected. [email protected] The Michael Howard Athletic Training Annex provides the Athletic Office: 601-925-3345 Training staff with excellent facilities and allows them to give proper Matt Verret enters his first season care to student athletes. This addition to the James Moody Adams Field house was dedicated on September 21, 1995, and was made at Mississippi College as the head possible through the generous donations of Mr. Michael Howard and athletic trainer. Verret is respon- the Howard family of Laurel, MS. The just over 1400 square foot sible for overseeing 16 different facility serves as the base of operations for most daily varsity athletic school-sponsored sports injury treatments and post-operative rehabilitation programs. The Verret joins the staff at Mississippi College after a one facility is centrally located among MC athletic venues and is directly year stint as the assistant athletic trainer at Louisiana adjacent to Robinson-Hale Stadium making it easily accessible. College where he also served as the men’s The Athletic Training department is staffed with two fulltime strength coach. Verret worked with all athletic teams with Certified Athletic Trainers. Deborah Dunn and Assistant Athletic the Wildcats. Trainer Nicole McMorris both have daily contact with the University’s student-athletes to rehabilitate existing injuries and provide Verret brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to preventative care as well. However, they also shoulder many other the Choctaw staff. Prior to his work at Louisiana College, duties within the Athletic Department. Verret worked one year as the head athletic trainer at The department also has two Certified Athletic Trainer Graduate Bishop High School through the Orthopedic Associates of Assistant positions. These two positions fill responsible roles in injury Kankakee. He also spent two years as the head athletic management and prevention for their assigned sports. trainer with the Columbus River Dragons of the NBA The department is additionally staffed with a group of development league. There he worked under head coach undergraduate students that assist in daily operating functions of Jeff Malone. delivering athletic training services. These undergraduate members As a graduate assistant, Verret worked 1 1/2 years of the staff are exposed to a wide variety of educational opportunities. The Athletic Training department has become invaluable to the at Mississippi State University as the primary trainer for everyday operations of athletics at Mississippi College. the program. He received his Master of Science degree in Sport Administration at MSU after receiving his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University. While at LSU, he worked as a student assistant with the Tigers’ training staff. Verret also has experience as an intern with the Chi- Nicole cago Bears of the National Football League and as a staff trainer with the Manning Passing Camp. He is nationally McMORRIS certified as an athletic trainer and performance en- Assistant Trainer hancement specialist by the National Academy of Sports [email protected] Medicine. Office: 601-925-3345 Nichole McMorris enters her second season on the athletic training staff at Mississippi College and her first year as the full-time assistant ath- letic trainer. McMorris will oversee the men and women's soccer teams this year along with the softball team. She will also assist with all other sports including football and basketball. McMorris Graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. She spent two years as a student trainer with the USM athletic training staff assisting in day to day responsibilities and primarily working with women's soccer. While at USM, McMorris spent one season with Oak Grove High School. She is a native of McComb, MS, and is the daughter of Pauline and Calvin McMorris.

30 2007 Choctaw Football 30