Saturday, September 20
JACKSONVILLE
3 p.m.
Jacksonville State University
vs
West Alabama
Grass Ready To Take Field As Head Coach of Alma Mater
9/19/2014 4:36:00 PM | Football
LIVE AUDIO | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | GAMEDAY INFORMATION
JACKSONVILLE - For Jacksonville State, its 2014 football season kicked off three weeks ago. The downside for the Gamecocks, however, is having not played a football game at Burgess-Snow Field since last season's victory over Samford during the first round of the FCS playoffs.
A lot has changed for the Gamecocks since that game Nov. 30, 2013, and one of the most talked about moves involved a familiar face.
Following the departure of then-head coach Bill Clark during the offseason, Jacksonville State wasted no time announcing the promotion of offensive coordinator John Grass to be its newest head coach.
"Responsibilities change a little bit, it's no longer just X's and O's," Grass said. "I have a lot more decisions to make, but there are good players and staff around me to help me manage everything, and that's what makes my job a little bit easier."
As offensive coordinator last season, Grass was the offensive coordinator on a team that set 49 school records, 13 Ohio Valley Conference records, and three NCAA records. This offensive unit was the most prolific in JSU history.
After falling to the Spartans of Michigan State in his collegiate head coaching debut Aug. 29, Grass bounced back the following week by earning his first collegiate victory on the road at Chattanooga.
"It felt great," Grass said of his first win as head coach of the Gamecocks. "It feels good to get the first one under my belt. Debuting at Michigan State was kind of tough for your first game, but I feel blessed to be in the position I'm in.
"I was proud of our players and coaches, especially to get the first win and our record back to .500, following a tough loss at Michigan State. I thought we made a huge stride in how we improved from the first week to the second."
Saturday's game against West Alabama will be the first for the Gamecocks at home in almost 10 months. It'll also mark the first home game for Grass since taking over for Clark nearly eight months ago.
"I just can't wait to see that home crowd," Grass said. "I'd say we had about six or seven thousand fans on the road at Chattanooga, and that was great. I'd wish we'd sell that place out and have a great day. As always there will be a lot of people here, so we look forward to playing in front of our home crowd.
"However, it does feel like the season is half over already, after playing two games and having an open week. I think being able to play at home is what everyone has been waiting on."
It won't be the first time Grass has brought his team inside the friendly confines of Burgess-Snow Field, where the Gamecocks are 252-98-8 all-time at home since JSU Stadium was opened in 1946. He has held many practices and simulated games inside the stadium during fall camp.
"Not being here last year and going through a home opener makes everyone more excited about playing the first game at home, and getting that under our belt before starting conference play," Grass said. "We know we have to play well, and that's where the focus is, but I know everyone is looking forward to finally playing at home."
When this season kicked off in East Lansing, Mi., Grass was able to add an interesting note to his resume—being a head coach at his high school and college alma maters. His first high school head coaching job came at Ashville High School, where he was named to the 1985 Alabama Sports Writers Association's Class 3A Honorable Mention All-State team his senior season. He also graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1990.
"I've been in the same transition in high school as a head coach at my high school alma mater, and that just meant so much to me," Grass said. "To be the head coach at my college alma mater is equally as gratifying and it's just a dream come true. It's pretty special, it really is. I feel really blessed."
JACKSONVILLE - For Jacksonville State, its 2014 football season kicked off three weeks ago. The downside for the Gamecocks, however, is having not played a football game at Burgess-Snow Field since last season's victory over Samford during the first round of the FCS playoffs.
A lot has changed for the Gamecocks since that game Nov. 30, 2013, and one of the most talked about moves involved a familiar face.
Following the departure of then-head coach Bill Clark during the offseason, Jacksonville State wasted no time announcing the promotion of offensive coordinator John Grass to be its newest head coach.
"Responsibilities change a little bit, it's no longer just X's and O's," Grass said. "I have a lot more decisions to make, but there are good players and staff around me to help me manage everything, and that's what makes my job a little bit easier."
As offensive coordinator last season, Grass was the offensive coordinator on a team that set 49 school records, 13 Ohio Valley Conference records, and three NCAA records. This offensive unit was the most prolific in JSU history.
After falling to the Spartans of Michigan State in his collegiate head coaching debut Aug. 29, Grass bounced back the following week by earning his first collegiate victory on the road at Chattanooga.
"It felt great," Grass said of his first win as head coach of the Gamecocks. "It feels good to get the first one under my belt. Debuting at Michigan State was kind of tough for your first game, but I feel blessed to be in the position I'm in.
"I was proud of our players and coaches, especially to get the first win and our record back to .500, following a tough loss at Michigan State. I thought we made a huge stride in how we improved from the first week to the second."
Saturday's game against West Alabama will be the first for the Gamecocks at home in almost 10 months. It'll also mark the first home game for Grass since taking over for Clark nearly eight months ago.
"I just can't wait to see that home crowd," Grass said. "I'd say we had about six or seven thousand fans on the road at Chattanooga, and that was great. I'd wish we'd sell that place out and have a great day. As always there will be a lot of people here, so we look forward to playing in front of our home crowd.
"However, it does feel like the season is half over already, after playing two games and having an open week. I think being able to play at home is what everyone has been waiting on."
It won't be the first time Grass has brought his team inside the friendly confines of Burgess-Snow Field, where the Gamecocks are 252-98-8 all-time at home since JSU Stadium was opened in 1946. He has held many practices and simulated games inside the stadium during fall camp.
"Not being here last year and going through a home opener makes everyone more excited about playing the first game at home, and getting that under our belt before starting conference play," Grass said. "We know we have to play well, and that's where the focus is, but I know everyone is looking forward to finally playing at home."
When this season kicked off in East Lansing, Mi., Grass was able to add an interesting note to his resume—being a head coach at his high school and college alma maters. His first high school head coaching job came at Ashville High School, where he was named to the 1985 Alabama Sports Writers Association's Class 3A Honorable Mention All-State team his senior season. He also graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1990.
"I've been in the same transition in high school as a head coach at my high school alma mater, and that just meant so much to me," Grass said. "To be the head coach at my college alma mater is equally as gratifying and it's just a dream come true. It's pretty special, it really is. I feel really blessed."
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