Harding Coaching Staff

[Bisonfan from FLA]

On the SAC Forum there was a post about a "way too early prediction of teams" ranking in that conference. A post in that forum mentioned Harding and I wrote this reply. Thought I would share it on the GAC page.


Wallst wrote: Harding kinda lost their coach too. Still there, but now in administration position. Both Harding and Pitt breaking in new Qb's.

Harding has a new coach - yes, but not really. Harding coaching staff is a lot of "next man up".

When Ronnie Huckeba stepped aside as HC head coach in 2007 for an admin job, he had been on the HU coaching staff since 1986, working in various positions.

Paul Simmons succeeded him in 2017 after having been on the HU coaching staff beginning in 2006 as DL and DC coach, before taking an admin job with HU earlier this year.

Next up is Roddy Mote. Coach Mote has had a LONG history with Harding after his playing years with the team. In 1994 he joined the team as RB and DB coach through 2004 when he transitioned to become the head coach of the Harding Academy football team, a position he held for 10 years; the Harding Academy Wildcats wone 2 state champions and was a constant playoff team. In 2016 he rejoined the university staff as LB and then DC before moving to the head coach position in January.

So yes, the person now listed as the HU Head Coach is new to that position, but he is not new to football or new to Harding. He, like those who came before, have a long connection and relationship with the school, the coaching staff and the players.

Harding is still in good hands.

As to breaking in a new QB, yes, but he is a senior with three years of history on the field.

[TheWonderBoy]

If I'm not mistaken, the core pieces for the offensive staff are gone as well (Wheaton, Underwood & Chism). I believe on not great terms as well. I think this year will be an interesting transition year for that program.

As for a QB, they go through this every 2-3 years. It'll take 3-4 games of some sloppy offense and then they'll start to hit their stride. Fingers crossed they don't this year.

[Mulerider]

Will be interesting to see if they slip at all. My guess is no for the most part. The SAU and OBU game in week 3 and 4 will be a good indication on how the rest of the season should go.

[Divisiontwo]

If I'm not mistaken, the core pieces for the offensive staff are gone as well (Wheaton, Underwood & Chism). I believe on not great terms as well. I think this year will be an interesting transition year for that program.

As for a QB, they go through this every 2-3 years. It'll take 3-4 games of some sloppy offense and then they'll start to hit their stride. Fingers crossed they don't this year.

Yes. Happens every time they make an inevitable qb change. Takes a bit to get going. That and losing the most dynamic outside skill player they've ever had will lead to a bit of a step back. I think that will be the larger "issue." I don't think there will be sustained issue past that.

[Blockandtackle]

They actually lost Ryan Derrick, an offensive coach also. In total, four of last season’s five offensive coaches are gone.

[ReddieMade]

Yeah, we’ve all heard the company lines at this point about how all is well, nothing will change, everyone is happy, etc.

At this point, we’ll just have to see. I remain incredibly skeptical that you can lose your HC, OL coach, play caller, recruiting coordinator, 4-year starting QB, and best slot back ever and be anywhere close to as good as they’ve been the last 2-3 years.

That’s not to say they won’t be “good.” When you pump that much money into a program at the D2 level, you’re never gonna be bad. But there’s a difference between good and what they’ve been.

My official prediction is they will be a lot more like HSU, OBU, and SAU this year than Ferris State. We’ll see. This fall is certainly the most vulnerable they’ve been in a long time. I don’t think that’s really even debatable.

[Bisons10]

We all wait in anticipation. The one thing that has not been discussed is the defensive side. Has not changed from a coaching standpoint. All who have shared an opinion, does your offense perform better than they have against Harding’s defense this year? Does the Harding offense also contribute to the defense?

[OBUGrad]

We all wait in anticipation. The one thing that has not been discussed is the defensive side. Has not changed from a coaching standpoint. All who have shared an opinion, does your offense perform better than they have against Harding’s defense this year? Does the Harding offense also contribute to the defense?

Well there is a new defensive coordinator, right? Sure Mote is still around, but there are some changes. They also lost some very key guys. Still be good, sure. We will see how good.

[Bisons10]

Well there is a new defensive coordinator, right? Sure Mote is still around, but there are some changes. They also lost some very key guys. Still be good, sure. We will see how good.

I definitely get your thought process. Yes new defensive co-coordinators.. both on staff for a while but I get it. OBU losses theirs to an in conference team and the next year end up with the same record. And like I said we shall see.