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**loper legionnaire** · 02-02-2023, 12:46 PM

Here are my thoughts on signing day.

- Good balance in terms of offense, defense and special teams
- Good numbers in key areas of need - all levels of defense and pass-catchers
- Love the focus on Lincoln and Omaha. Need to establish a strong presence there that hasn't always existed
- Despite my previous point, I hope the lack of recruits from Central and Western Nebraska and Colorado is an anomaly rather than the new norm. Those have been strong recruiting bases in the past
- Poor execution by the social media team. Rather than Tweet about signees throughout the day when anticipation was highest like they have in the past, they didn't start until late last night and continued into today. Not sure what that was all about
- And just for fun, incoming LB Joko Willis comes to Kearney with at least one SEC highlight reel play to his name: https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/stat...O-5eVDE0g&s=19

**loper legionnaire** · 03-20-2023, 12:14 PM

Spring ball starts this week, and I've been doing my best to track the personnel changes. Below is a roundup of the coaching changes and player movement.

Departed Coaches

Josh Lynn, Head Coach/OL -> West Texas A&M, Head Coach
Levi Gallas, Defensive Coordinator/DL -> West Texas A&M, Defensive Coordinator/DL
Drew Thatcher, Offensive Coordinator/QB -> Army, Co-Offensive Coordinator
Jake Willrich, Special Teams Coordinator/Secondary -> ???
Shayne Shade, RB/TE/Inside WR/Recruiting Coordinator -> West Texas A&M, RB/TE/Recruiting Coordinator
Cody Russell, CB -> West Texas A&M, Co-Special Teams Coordinator/WR
Brian Vaughn, LB -> West Texas A&M, LB
Van Parker, Outside WR (GA) -> Reeths-Puffer HS (MI), Offensive Coordinator/WR

Incoming Coaches

Ryan Held, North Alabama, Offensive Coordinator/QB/Interim HC (3 games) -> UNK Head Coach
Colby Ellis*, North Alabama, WR/Recruiting Coordinator -> UNK Offensive Coordinator/QB
Tim Schaffner, Idaho State, Defensive Coordinator/LB -> UNK Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Jake Mandelko**, Buena Vista (IA), Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator -> UNK Special Teams Coordinator/DL
Nate Baker, Buffalo, Sr. Defensive Quality Control -> UNK Run Game Coordinator/OL
Moses Harper*, Missouri Western, TE/Director of Football Operations -> UNK Passing Game Coordinator/WR
Jesse Ornelas*, Graceland (IA) Offensive Coordinator/QB -> UNK LB/Recruiting Coordinator
Eric Lee Jr., Orange Lutheran HS (CA), Head of Football Operations -> UNK Secondary (GA)
Kenny Zamberlin, Ohio, Offensive Assistant/OL (GA) -> UNK TE (GA)

* MIAA coaching experience
** UNK alum

Players Out (Players on the 2022 roster with eligibility remaining that are not listed on the Spring 2023 roster)

Amir Abdullah, LB, R-Jr. -> Illinois State
Gabriel Amegatcher, CB, Gr. -> Northern Illinois
Josh Beaird, LB, Sr. -> West Texas A&M
Ovahdyah Ben-Israel, DL, R-Jr. -> West Texas A&M
Beau Bivens, QB, So. - ???
Luke Blatchford, TE, So. - Retired
Johnny Collins, WR, R-Sr. - ???
Jesse Drahota, WR, R-So. - ???
Traeton Harimon, P, R-Jr. - ???
Jimmy Harrison, LB, Gr. -> West Texas A&M
Trae Hickman, RB, So. - ???
Branden Jackson, DL, R-So. - ???
Miko Maessner, RB, R-Jr. - ???
Franky McFadden, OL, So. - ???
Eli Noel, OL, So. - ???
Anthony Orajekwe, DL, R-Sr. - ???
Jaylen Perkins, CB, Gr. -> Grand View (IA)
Dimitrius Powell, OL, R-Jr. - ???
Trevor Ruth, LB/FB, R-Fr. -> Nebraska
Iziek Soper, DL, Jr. -> West Texas A&M
Darius Swanson, S, Gr. -> Tulane
Alex Taylor, LS, So. -> West Texas A&M
Landon Thompson, WR, R-Jr. - ???

Players In (Incoming transfers on campus for Spring ball)

Cole Brown, WR, R-So. - Central Arkansas
Luke Fletcher, TE, R-Jr. - Butler CC (KS)
Stephen Matina, DL, Jr. - Hutchinson CC (KS)
Joko Willis, LB, R-Jr. - Auburn

**UNALions** · 03-23-2023, 08:42 PM

I’m excited to keep up with y’all this season!

As I said before, he was brought in to Florence to right the ship on offense and he did just that. UNA’s defense had been the high point in the roller coaster ride that is transitioning from D2 to D1. But, the offense struggled the first three seasons. He totally changed that. Sadly, we had a down year on defense and it was the end of the road for the head coach who had been a long-term UNA Asst.

His offense last season had the ASUN Offensive Player of the Year (a running back) and the conference Freshman of the Year (the QB transfer he brought from Nebraska). I feel pretty certain he will do his best to keep the excitement going at UNK.

**loper legionnaire** · 03-24-2023, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by UNALions View Post

I’m excited to keep up with y’all this season!

As I said before, he was brought in to Florence to right the ship on offense and he did just that. UNA’s defense had been the high point in the roller coaster ride that is transitioning from D2 to D1. But, the offense struggled the first three seasons. He totally changed that. Sadly, we had a down year on defense and it was the end of the road for the head coach who had been a long-term UNA Asst.

His offense last season had the ASUN Offensive Player of the Year (a running back) and the conference Freshman of the Year (the QB transfer he brought from Nebraska). I feel pretty certain he will do his best to keep the excitement going at UNK.

I look forward to having you on the board to talk some Loper football once the season gets going. I for one was excited, or at least open-minded, about Held getting the job. There were some fans who were disappointed that an internal promotion didn't take place and that we were talking a castoff from that big team down the road in Lincoln.

One advantage Held will have, and he's admitted as much, is that this is the first program he's taking over that isn't rebuilding or facing an uphill climb. He's coming into a program that has won 18 games the last two seasons and also returns a two-time Harlon Hill finalist at QB.

From an extremely simplified standpoint, success this season will come down to two things. Offensively, can coaching and scheme take some of the load from TJ Davis's shoulders? He has the talent to carry the team (thus the nickname "Fighting TJ Davises" some opposing fans on the board use). But he's also been around long enough that the top defenses in the league are learning how to slow him down. TJ's running ability has to remain at the heart of the offense. But the running backs being more of a threat and a more consistent passing game are needed to take the offense to the next level.

The bigger question mark will be on defense, which lost most of its starters to graduation and transfers. They were a bend but don't break unit last year that was pretty good but far from elite. Rebuilding that side of the ball to complement what should be a pretty strong offense could be the determining factor of whether UNK is a threat to return to the playoffs or a team that is just above average.

**Predatory Primates** · 03-24-2023, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by loper legionnaire View Post

I look forward to having you on the board to talk some Loper football once the season gets going. I for one was excited, or at least open-minded, about Held getting the job. There were some fans who were disappointed that an internal promotion didn't take place and that we were talking a castoff from that big team down the road in Lincoln.

One advantage Held will have, and he's admitted as much, is that this is the first program he's taking over that isn't rebuilding or facing an uphill climb. He's coming into a program that has won 18 games the last two seasons and also returns a two-time Harlon Hill finalist at QB.

From an extremely simplified standpoint, success this season will come down to two things. Offensively, can coaching and scheme take some of the load from TJ Davis's shoulders? He has the talent to carry the team (thus the nickname "Fighting TJ Davises" some opposing fans on the board use). But he's also been around long enough that the top defenses in the league are learning how to slow him down. TJ's running ability has to remain at the heart of the offense. But the running backs being more of a threat and a more consistent passing game are needed to take the offense to the next level.

The bigger question mark will be on defense, which lost most of its starters to graduation and transfers. They were a bend but don't break unit last year that was pretty good but far from elite. Rebuilding that side of the ball to complement what should be a pretty strong offense could be the determining factor of whether UNK is a threat to return to the playoffs or a team that is just above average.

it will be interesting to see if the coach sticks with.the one dimensional offense,.and how Davis.does of he doesn't. He's such a talent that they definitely need to figure out a way to use him.

**loper legionnaire** · 03-25-2023, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by Predatory Primates View Post

it will be interesting to see if the coach sticks with.the one dimensional offense,.and how Davis.does of he doesn't. He's such a talent that they definitely need to figure out a way to use him.

I think the plan is to be more multiple. I could see a zone read/RPO type of offense where there are still multiple threats to run the ball but also some quick hitter, high percentage passing options.

**loper legionnaire** · 04-06-2023, 06:52 PM

A couple articles from the student newspaper.

New coach provides experience in fast offensive scheme - http://unkantelope.com/wordpress_ant...ensive-scheme/

Loper defense embracing coach’s ‘win now’ mentality - http://unkantelope.com/wordpress_ant...now-mentality/

**loper legionnaire** · 04-19-2023, 06:15 PM

Spring Game Format Revealed ... Watch the Lopers this Saturday - https://lopers.com/news/2023/4/17/fo...-saturday.aspx

**loper legionnaire** · 04-22-2023, 05:29 PM

Loper Backer Banquet Kicks Off Big Weekend for Football - https://lopers.com/news/2023/4/21/lo...-football.aspx

**loper legionnaire** · 06-01-2023, 04:51 PM

Legal troubles for wide receiver Xavier Delk.

https://central.newschannelnebraska....ay-14-violence

**loper legionnaire** · 07-21-2023, 11:25 AM

A good interview with Coach Held on one of Omaha's popular sports talk radio shows this morning: https://post.futurimedia.com/koznam/...ten-17108.html

UNK getting coverage in the Omaha/Lincoln area is pretty rare. This is an example of how Held being a former Husker player and coach could be beneficial, not just in terms of generating more awareness of the Loper program but also in recruiting. Held was once ranked by some outlets as a top 25 recruiter in D1. If he can replicate that at the D2 level, the Lopers are sure to have some talented players on the roster.

**loper legionnaire** · 08-09-2023, 07:44 PM

A roundup of some media coverage of the start of practice.

UNK football begins first fall camp under Held - https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2023/08/0...mp-under-held/

UNK football setting 'The Standard', leaving turf stadium for grass field during special fall camp workouts - https://central.newschannelnebraska....-camp-workouts

8/7 Loper Football Practice Comments – QB TJ Davis, Head Coach Ryan Held - https://kgfw.com/2023/08/07/175623/

Loper Football Reports to Fall Camp - https://post.futurimedia.com/kgfwam/...80.html?smc=56

**loper legionnaire** · 08-16-2023, 05:30 PM

A very cool move by Coach Held today.

Effort to elevate minority coaches leads to UNK's Harper as head coach for the day - https://central.newschannelnebraska....ch-for-the-day

**jimbo slice** · 08-16-2023, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by loper legionnaire View Post

A very cool move by Coach Held today.

Effort to elevate minority coaches leads to UNK's Harper as head coach for the day - https://central.newschannelnebraska....ch-for-the-day

nice recruiting tool... meh

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