Skip to content
Sections
  • Obituaries
  • eEdition
  • Popular Content
  • Submit a Tip
Dispatch Mobile Logo
Share
Subscribe
Login
August 9, 2022
  • QUICK LINKS
  • Obituaries
  • eEdition
  • Popular Content
  • Submit a Tip
  • News
  • Columbus & Lowndes County
  • Starkville & Oktibbeha County
  • West Point & Clay County
  • Area
  • State
  • National
  • Business
  • Sports
  • High School Sports
  • College Sports
  • Local Columns
  • eEdition
  • Opinions
  • Local Columns
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Roses & Thorns
  • Dispatch Editorials
  • Obituaries
  • Lifestyles
  • Columns
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Transitions & Announcements
  • Community
  • Religion
  • Classifieds
  • Photo Galleries
  • Public Records
  • Building Permits
  • Marriages & Divorces
August 9, 2022
Dispatch Logo

Open eyes, open minds.

Home » Sports » College Sports » EMCC football team sees major changes to coaching staff

EMCC football team sees major changes to coaching staff

By Scott Walters • August 1, 2017

 • 4 mins to read

EMCC football team sees major changes to coaching staff

SCOOBA — When the number flashed on his phone, Cliff Collins knew who was on the other end.

After eight seasons as defensive backs coach at East Mississippi Community College, Collins felt like a major part of the Lions’ football family. After one season as an assistant coach (defensive backs) at Jackson State, Collins is back in Scooba as the new defensive coordinator.

“I have to admit I was excited when that call came in,” Collins said. “This really feels like home. After being a part of so many championship seasons, it is great to be back, leading a unit. I look forward to the challenge of getting these guys back on top.”

Despite lots of wins and championships, very few changes took place in the early years under Stephens. However, there were a lot of changes prior to Stephens’ 10th season as head coach at EMCC.

The Aug. 31 opener against Jones County Junior College will mark the first time new coordinators have debuted on both sides of the ball.

David Boykin is the new offensive coordinator after a two-decade run on the high school level, including the past three seasons at Starkville High School. Boykin replaces Marcus Wood, who is now in administration at EMCC. Wood served as the offensive coordinator in each of Stephens’ first nine seasons.

Collins follows William Jones (five seasons), Jordan Lesley (three seasons) and Ed Holly (2016) in the defensive coordinator chair.

Holly is the head coach at Westminster Christian School in Florida.

“Very excited about David and Cliff and what they are going to bring to our program,” Stephens said. “Marcus did a tremendous job. We are excited to see what David can do. He is an EMCC man, having played baseball here. It is great for your program when you can bring someone home like that.

“On the defensive side, we are bringing someone home there, too.”

Former EMCC and Ole Miss standout Bo Wallace has replaced Clint Trickett as the quarterbacks coach. Davern Williams enters his fourth season as defensive line coach, while Justin Sanders will begin his second season coaching the secondary.

newsletter

The Dispatch delivers the most in-depth, responsible journalism straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

The final coaching spot is expected to be filled today with the announcement of running backs coach Courtland Hays, who comes over from North Alabama.

On defense, Collins knows the blueprint for success. He was part of the EMCC national championship seasons in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Lesley coordinated the defense for those final two championships.

“We just have to get back to the attacking, relentless style of defense Jordan played,” Collins said. “It starts up front. If you look at the 2014 national championship team, they didn’t allow a rushing touchdown until the bowl game. Three of the four up front are in the NFL. That is the type of talent we have to get in here on a consistent basis.”

The 2014 squad allowed 7.6 points per game and posted a school-record five-straight shutouts in the regular season. While the 2016 EMCC squad finished second nationally with an 11-1 record, it allowed 20.4 points per game.

“It starts with attacking the quarterback,” Collins said. “You really have to challenge the quarterback on every snap in this league. You want to impede his thought process. You have to apply pressure and you have to take him out of his comfort zone. This league revolves around the quarterback.

“Other than that, it’s about passion and energy. The successful defenses of the past played with a lot of passion and energy. You have to take it personally when you give up a first down.”

Collins said his biggest take-away from this past season was learning more about organization.

“It was just refreshing to see how things are done at a different place,” Collins said. “I feel deeply indebted to coach (Tony) Hughes for the opportunity to spend a season there. There are so many more details at a Division I program. I just watched how a season comes together at a higher level. It was a rewarding experience.”

On offense, the challenge will be to keep a well-oiled machine going at its normal pace. EMCC has scored 50 or more points 36 times under Stephens, who has had a major hand in shaping the offense.

“This is a great opportunity to get into college coaching,” Boykin said. “The statistics speak for themselves. Traditionally, the teams here have played offense as well as anyone ever has in this league. Our challenge is to continue that tradition.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.

You can help your community

Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.

Subscribe

READER FAVORITES

  • Mississippi State football notebook: Bulldogs don pads Sunday to cap first weekend of camp

    By Theo DeRosa • 1 day ago

  • Ole Miss football ranked No. 24, Mississippi State receiving votes in first USA TODAY coaches poll

    By Theo DeRosa • 1 day ago

  • Prep roundup: Oak Hill Academy softball outlasted in extra innings

    Prep roundup: Oak Hill Academy softball outlasted in extra innings

    By Theo DeRosa • 6 hours ago

Popular

LCSD proposed $29.4M budget would cause tax hike

August 8, 2022

Monday Profile: Adeline Rollins’ recovery from liver transplant surgery has been remarkable

August 8, 2022

Mississippi State football notebook: Bulldogs don pads Sunday to cap first weekend of camp

August 8, 2022

Starkville’s run in Little League Southwest Regional ends with walk-off loss

August 8, 2022




On This Day 2021

J. Martin Tucker: Why now is the time to get vaccinated

J. Martin Tucker: Why now is the time to get vaccinated

By J. Martin Tucker

Featured Podcast

The C Dispatch Podcast

Dispatch

Sections

  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Submit a Tip
  • Terms & Service
  • Popular Content

Contact

Main Switchboard:

(662) 328-2424

Physical Address:

516 Main Street
Columbus, MS 39701

Mailing Address:

PO Box 511
Columbus, MS 39701

cdispatch.com © 2022 – The Commerical Dispatch

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT