New coach Teddy Keaton tackles major rebuilding task at Stillman

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Senior football players at Stillman College begin the 2011 season with their third different head coach in the past four years.

They know all about change.

But first-year head coach Teddy Keaton doesn't want to hear about the obstacles his players face learning a new system and playing for a new coach.

"Our seniors have not had a winning season since they've been here," Keaton said. "We talk about what we can do to change that. We're focused on trying to build a program. We tell the players to give perfect effort and have a perfect attitude every day. Once they get to the point where they can do that, we can teach them how to win."

A native of Brewton, Keaton took over the program in December 2010, replacing L. C. Cole who was fired after two seasons. Keaton is a 1999 graduate of Stillman and was an assistant coach at the school for six seasons.

STILLMAN TIGERS 2010 record -- 3-8, 2-7 SIAC Coach -- Teddy Keaton, first year Returning players -- 6 on offense, 6 on defense and 2 specialists Top returning players -- TE Thomas Logan; WR Desmond Holloway; P Ronnie Partridge; LB Rico Butler Stillman will improve over last year's 3-8 record if -- There are plenty of ifs for Stillman this season. If young players emerge quickly to fill needs on offense and defense. If the team buys into its first-year coach's philosophy. If the offense and defense show big improvement. And if it can win a few close games, Stillman could better last year's win total. Stillman will not improve over last year's 3-8 season if -- the offense and defense do not improve dramatically. Both units were the SIAC's worst in 2010. The Tigers must also post two or three upsets against a tough schedule that includes six road games and games against Samford, Tuskegee and Fort Valley State. The Ultimate Weapon -- Senior Ronnie Partridge is not just a good punter. He was the best punter in NCAA Division II last season, averaging 45.5 yards per kick.

Keaton knows the challenges he faces in trying to resurrect a Stillman program that finished 3-8 last season and 2-7 in the SIAC. The Tigers had a miserable rushing attack, gaining only 461 yards in 11 games, a 41.9 yards per game average.

"We've rebuilt our offensive line from the bottom up and our running backs have been a work in progress," Keaton said. "The running backs are getting better. Last year there were no holes for them to run through so they have to start having confidence in hitting the holes."

Two young players are battling for the quarterback position. Brandon Allen is a sophomore from Pleasant Grove and Dondre Purnell is a freshman from McEachern, Ga. "They are both doing a really good job," Keaton said. "They're both learning how to make the right reads and how to compete."

One area that is strong on offense is tight end. "One of the first things I noticed is that we have really good tight ends," Keaton said. Two standouts have been senior Thomas Logan and junior Johnny Pate. Logan caught 14 passes and scored five touchdowns in 2010.

Like the offense, the Stillman defense also needs major rebuilding. The Tigers allowed 30.5 points per game in 2010 and ranked last in the league in total defense. Stillman gave up 43 touchdowns last season and 362.5 yards per game, numbers that put them at the bottom of the 10-team SIAC.

"I am a defensive coach," said Keaton. "I really believe in playing good defense."

Keaton likes the look of several newcomers on defense. True freshman Marcus Matthews, a linebacker from Hoover, has looked good early in fall camp, along with defensive linemen Willie Huggins and Dontavious Lawson.

Keaton said Stillman will play several newcomers this season but he believes the incoming freshman class can provide much-needed depth.

"Our young guys have impressed us," he said. "I must be living right because we got every guy we went after in recruiting last spring."

Stillman is picked to finish fourth in the five-team SIAC West. The Tigers play their first four games on the road, including trips to Samford on Sept. 10 and at SIAC power Tuskegee on Sept. 24. Stillman hosts rival Miles on Thursday, Oct. 27.

This article was written for The Birmingham News by Louis Muro.