FULTON — Itawamba Community College football coach Jon Williams kicks off his third season two weeks from tonight when ICC plays at East Central C.C.
Former Aberdeen High School standout Rashad Pargo has been with Williams for every step of his maiden voyage as a junior college head coach.
“When I first got here, Coach Williams was real mean,” said Pargo, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver. “Now he texts me all the time and helps me keep my head on straight. He has become my best friend on campus.”
One can quickly see Pargo, Williams, and the Indians have finally reached a comfort level. Confidence and chemistry were the buzz words when the squad got together Wednesday to preview the 2012 season at ICC’s annual media day at the Student Services Building on the ICC campus.
“When I was hired here, they told me I had two years,” Williams said, “so I guess since this is my third season, I have already defied the odds. I told the administration it would take time to put everything in place. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in this team. I feel like we do have all the pieces in place to compete.”
Pargo came from a perennial state title contending program at Aberdeen High School. Due to a redshirt, Pargo will be part of his third ICC football season. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has seen enough of the ICC program to believe this is the year the program turns the corner.
“The last couple of years, we had the offense here and the defense here,” Pargo said. “We might get together after practice and shake hands, but that was about it. This year is totally different. There is a tremendous amount of chemistry. Monday through Saturday we are together on campus.
“We have been doing talent shows and other things like that. We do anything to keep it light and loose. I feel like everybody is in this together. I don’t know how a team could be any tighter.”
Williams served as an assistant coach for three seasons before taking over the top spot. This career spreadsheet has helped the Wingate University graduate learn how to deal with coaching and recruiting on two-year cycles.
“I think chemistry can sometimes outwork talent,” Williams said. “When we recruit a young man, we talk about the importance of playing for the team and how that is more important than playing for yourself. You could sense during spring practice and summer workouts that this group had a different type of chemistry.
“We will be a young football team. Sometimes coaches use being young as an excuse. I don’t think that is fair, especially in junior college football. You are in one of two classes (freshman or sophomore). We expect our freshman to step in and make contributions right away. This class can do just that.”
Being a part of his third ICC team means Pargo has a very unique position on the leadership chart.
“The freshmen come here and they are wide-eyed,” Pargo said. “I can relate to that. Redshirting helped my game a lot. It is hard to understand the speed of the game until you actually play some games. Everybody is faster. Big defensive players are faster. Offensive linemen are faster. That is the biggest adjustment.”
For Pargo, another word could be consistency. New offensive coordinator Jason McManus, a Gardner-Webb University graduate, has brought a new playbook to his first coaching job in the state of Mississippi.
“This is my third offensive coordinator in three seasons, and that has been tough,” Pargo said. “This season, we have gone to four-wide and will also be going with a lot of no huddle. I think the fans will see an exciting brand of football. Coach is rotating players in three-man formations. It will be three in and three out at a time.”
A season ago, Pargo had 17 receptions for 270 yards and two touchdowns. This season, he will continue to learn a new system and to develop a new relationship with a new quarterback. Williams said Wednesday the starting quarterback competition won’t be resolved until after Saturday’s scrimmage.
“We are going to pass first, pass second, pass third,” Pargo said. “Then there is a chance we might run the ball. We had one running back injured earlier this year and another quit the team, so that is what we are doing. We are working real hard to find some depth at running back. But a lot of people are going to be involved, and a lot of people will be able to catch the football.”
McManus became familiar with Mississippi junior college football while recruiting the league as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin and Chattanooga University.
“This league is incredible, and I can’t wait to get a chance to coach in it,” McManus said. “Several teams in this league have been successful running some type of the spread offense. The main thing for us is going to be timing. We are going to go with more no huddle and that gives the defense less time to set up and prepare.
“We will be looking at players like Pargo to emerge as leaders. Since is my first season with the team, the leadership of sophomores like that will be invaluable. They are excited about the chance to do something different. On offense, we are going to be young, too. We are going to take that as a challenge and make the most of it.”
Itawamba finished 4-5 last season, after going 5-4 in Williams’ first year as head coach. Each season, ICC has finished tied for second place in the North Division but been the odd man out of the playoffs due to the state’s tie-breaking formula.
“This season, we are trying to get over the hump,” Williams said. “The last couple of seasons the difficult games were at the start of the season. That made it harder to bounce back. This season, we have a more balanced schedule. We have challenged the kids to come out of the gate strong. Starting fast could make a huge difference for this year’s team.”
One also could add fast to the ICC chalk board. With the college starting classes more than a week ahead of most of the state’s other junior colleges, a lot has been done with little time. Two-a-day practice sessions still take place. However, the second sessions have been going deep into the night.
“Last summer, it was hot,” Pargo said. “This summer, it has been hot-ter (said slowly with emphasis and a wry smile). Fortunately, the last practice session each day has been after the sun has gone down. You will take every little advantage you can take.
“In two weeks though, we will be ready. This is a different team than the last couple of ones we have had around here. All of these guys are really ready to go. I can’t wait to see what we can do.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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