07-29-2005
RENO, Nev. ? Tulsa. UTEP. And now, possibly, San Jose State? A bad team with a new coach equaled a bowl berth for Tulsa in 2003 and UTEP in 2004.
The team generating the most buzz in the Western Athletic Conference this year ? beyond favorites Boise State and Fresno State ? is the Spartans of San Jose State.
The 2-9 Spartans showed what kind of talent they had last year by nearly upsetting Boise State, and former Arizona coach Dick Tomey took over the program in the offseason.
The Spartans draw inspiration from recent WAC history. UTEP went from 2-11 in 2003 to 8-4 last year, and Tulsa went from 1-11 in 2002 to 8-5 in 2003.
"UTEP was the surprising team last year, but they weren't a surprise to me," BSU coach Dan Hawkins said Thursday during the WAC media preview at the Reno Hilton. "I think you'll see the same thing from San Jose this year."
Tomey actually called Hawkins to discuss the San Jose State opening with him.
Hawkins told him to stay away ? but not because the program has only one winning season since 1992.
"No. 1, you're a good guy," Hawkins told him. "No. 2, they've got players. And No. 3, I don't want to go against that defense."
Tomey's unorthodox defense was nicknamed "Desert Swarm" when he was at Arizona from 1987 to 2000. The Wildcats reached seven bowl games.
Tomey was an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2003 and with the Texas Longhorns in 2004. He says he chose San Jose State because he likes the Bay Area, and because the school's new president and athletic director are committed to football success.
Tomey has made 75 speeches in the community since taking the job, he said.
"The atmosphere has been electric," Tomey said. "... People are excited ? they want something to believe in. They want something to be proud of."
The players also are fired up. Coach Fitz Hill made strides with the program off the field, but never got the most out of his players on the field.
"It's absolutely wonderful," senior defensive tackle Kinji Green said. "It's just a breath of fresh air through the whole locker room. People are working harder, more focused. The guy has won everywhere he's gone. We truly believe we can be how UTEP was last year with Mike Price. ... We have the athletes, the speed to do all that."
In fact, the Spartans are known for those athletes.
Tomey says his players should take that as "the greatest insult."
Fresno State coach Pat Hill said the Spartans always "look a lot better than we do walking down the ramp."
"You want your program to be known for the things that are not God-given," Tomey said. "You want to be known for the things that are achieved through hard work and passion and perseverance, being physical and tough and impossible to discourage."
The Spartans aren't the only team hoping to give BSU and Fresno State some competition this season.
Hawaii, riddled by injuries last season, hired former NFL coach Jerry Glanville to revamp its defense.
Nevada instituted a new offense called the Pistol ? an abbreviated shotgun formation.
New Mexico State, a newcomer to the WAC, hired former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme to transition the Aggies from an option running attack to a wide-open passing attack. He added defensive coordinator Woody Widenhofer, who won four Super Bowl rings in the 1970s as a coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And Louisiana Tech, which won the WAC in 2001, has a schedule that won't wipe out its roster by mid-season. Plus, the Bulldogs could be playing for coach Jack Bicknell's job.
Utah State, with new coach Brent Guy, and Idaho, in the second year under Nick Holt, are young teams with major rebuilding to do.
"Any team in this conference can bite you in the butt," Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre said.
This year, the Spartans in particular will have teams watching their backsides.
"I look for those guys to give everybody fits," Hawkins said.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050729/NEWS0301/507290360/1037
RENO, Nev. ? Tulsa. UTEP. And now, possibly, San Jose State? A bad team with a new coach equaled a bowl berth for Tulsa in 2003 and UTEP in 2004.
The team generating the most buzz in the Western Athletic Conference this year ? beyond favorites Boise State and Fresno State ? is the Spartans of San Jose State.
The 2-9 Spartans showed what kind of talent they had last year by nearly upsetting Boise State, and former Arizona coach Dick Tomey took over the program in the offseason.
The Spartans draw inspiration from recent WAC history. UTEP went from 2-11 in 2003 to 8-4 last year, and Tulsa went from 1-11 in 2002 to 8-5 in 2003.
"UTEP was the surprising team last year, but they weren't a surprise to me," BSU coach Dan Hawkins said Thursday during the WAC media preview at the Reno Hilton. "I think you'll see the same thing from San Jose this year."
Tomey actually called Hawkins to discuss the San Jose State opening with him.
Hawkins told him to stay away ? but not because the program has only one winning season since 1992.
"No. 1, you're a good guy," Hawkins told him. "No. 2, they've got players. And No. 3, I don't want to go against that defense."
Tomey's unorthodox defense was nicknamed "Desert Swarm" when he was at Arizona from 1987 to 2000. The Wildcats reached seven bowl games.
Tomey was an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2003 and with the Texas Longhorns in 2004. He says he chose San Jose State because he likes the Bay Area, and because the school's new president and athletic director are committed to football success.
Tomey has made 75 speeches in the community since taking the job, he said.
"The atmosphere has been electric," Tomey said. "... People are excited ? they want something to believe in. They want something to be proud of."
The players also are fired up. Coach Fitz Hill made strides with the program off the field, but never got the most out of his players on the field.
"It's absolutely wonderful," senior defensive tackle Kinji Green said. "It's just a breath of fresh air through the whole locker room. People are working harder, more focused. The guy has won everywhere he's gone. We truly believe we can be how UTEP was last year with Mike Price. ... We have the athletes, the speed to do all that."
In fact, the Spartans are known for those athletes.
Tomey says his players should take that as "the greatest insult."
Fresno State coach Pat Hill said the Spartans always "look a lot better than we do walking down the ramp."
"You want your program to be known for the things that are not God-given," Tomey said. "You want to be known for the things that are achieved through hard work and passion and perseverance, being physical and tough and impossible to discourage."
The Spartans aren't the only team hoping to give BSU and Fresno State some competition this season.
Hawaii, riddled by injuries last season, hired former NFL coach Jerry Glanville to revamp its defense.
Nevada instituted a new offense called the Pistol ? an abbreviated shotgun formation.
New Mexico State, a newcomer to the WAC, hired former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme to transition the Aggies from an option running attack to a wide-open passing attack. He added defensive coordinator Woody Widenhofer, who won four Super Bowl rings in the 1970s as a coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And Louisiana Tech, which won the WAC in 2001, has a schedule that won't wipe out its roster by mid-season. Plus, the Bulldogs could be playing for coach Jack Bicknell's job.
Utah State, with new coach Brent Guy, and Idaho, in the second year under Nick Holt, are young teams with major rebuilding to do.
"Any team in this conference can bite you in the butt," Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre said.
This year, the Spartans in particular will have teams watching their backsides.
"I look for those guys to give everybody fits," Hawkins said.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050729/NEWS0301/507290360/1037
