Missouri Tigers
Passion Ignites Intensity
Settings
Game: NCAA Football 04
Difficulty: Heisman
Sliders: Jistic's
Quarter Length: 8 Minutes
House Rules
None atm. I suck at this sh!t.
Passion Ignites Intensity
Passion Ignites Intensity
Missouri Tigers
Passion Ignites Intensity
Settings
Game: NCAA Football 04
Difficulty: Heisman
Sliders: Jistic's
Quarter Length: 8 Minutes
House Rules
None atm. I suck at this sh!t.
Passion Ignites Intensity
MIZZOU Football
Aug 1, 2003, 10:10 AM
Scurry hired as Missouri's new head football coach
Although he lacks experience, Coach Scurry sets to make a wave in turning the program into a contender
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Without a long or distinguished resume, Dell Scurry was announced as the Tigers new head football coach on Monday. As a former player and quarterback coach, it's his first collegiate head coaching job.
Scurry and his family arrived in Columbia Wednesday afternoon ahead of Mizzou’s press conference.
The hire comes after former head coach Gary Pinkel was fired over NCAA violations after two lackluster seasons with the Tigers in which he recorded 4-7 and 5-7 records after a long stint with Toledo.
During his college career, Scurry was recognized as a consensus Division II All-American and led his team to the National Championship in 1999.
After an unsuccessful two years trying to make an NFL roster, Scurry took up coaching. In 2001, he served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for his alma mater.
"It's a great honor to be here," said Scurry. "The team has a lot of talented young individuals and great passion for the game. Although the last couple years weren't winning seasons for this program, I am determined to right the ship right away with winning football games right out of the gate."
After a 5-7 season, the Tigers are poised to improve under Scurry's tutelage.
► Offensive Breakdown
Last season, QB Brad Smith was a defensive coordinator's nightmare. His talents helped him become only the second player in Division I football to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000. He has some of the fleetest feet ever seen to go along with astonishing football intelligence that is so rare in such an inexperienced player. His heady play (15 TDs against only six INTs) helped keep the Tigers in virtually every game- even against the big boys. Smith's role this season will be amplified immensely, as teams will undoubtedly set up game plans specifically to stop him. Expect him to meet any challenges once again and throw his name as next in line of Donovan McNabbs and Michael Vicks.
Although, with WR Justin Gage now in the pros, who will Smith be throwing the ball to? The guys who come back with the most impact are junior WR Thomas Omboga (21 catches) and senior Darius Outlaw. Omboga only played in seven games, but proved he makes a difference Smith can immediately go to when needed. How will he step up as a number one target? Following in the footsteps of QB-turned-WR Justin Gage is Darius Outlaw. After two years behind center, he made a surprisingly quick transformation into a quality wide receiver last season, despite never having played the position before in organized football. He is a prime candidate to become MU's go-to receiver. A starter a year ago, Marcus James was up and down. Many will be tried out to give Smith the maximum targets this three-WR offense can offer.
► Defensive Breakdown
Improvement is the name of the game for the Missouri defense in the year ahead. In 2002, Mizzou's defense showed signs of becoming the type of squad fans want to see on the field each Saturday, but developing depth is still a major issue for a side of the ball - something that has been virtually non-existent for this program.
In Mizzou's two-linebacker set, James Kinney flourished last season, as he ranked 2nd in the Big 12, and 8th in the NCAA with his average of 12.3 tackles per game. His 148 total stops were the 3rd-most in school single-season history, and the junior is the building block for the middle of the Tiger defense. Gone due to graduation is his running mate for the last two years - Sean Doyle - and his 323 career tackles, which rank 7th on the school career charts. Doyle's departure opens up an opportunity for a group that includes junior Henry Sweat (one start in 2002), and redshirt freshmen Derrick Ming (12 games played in 2002). Also figuring in the mix could be hard-hitting senior Brandon Barnes, a Sikeston, Mo. native who moves over from free safety, a position where he started five games in 2002.
The most experienced defensive back is senior cornerback Michael Harden, who started 11 games last season. Harden led the squad and ranked 3rd in the Big 12 with 15 passes broken up. He was Mizzou's most consistent performer in the secondary in 2002, and he has now added 10 pounds to his frame in the offseason to go with his fearless attitude as a cover man.
Harden will be joined in coverage schemes and run support duties by fellow returnees Justin Scott, Andrew Hoskins and AJ Kincade. All three earned starts at one point or another in 2002, with Kincade starting in just the final two games of the season at the other cornerback spot.
MISSOURI TIGERS DEPTH CHART ('03-'04)
1st String 2nd 3rd
QB Brad Smith, So - 93 Santino Riccio, So - 73 Brandon Coleman, Fr - 68
HB Zach Abron, Sr - 86 Tim Starks, Sr - 72 Richard Willis, Fr - 68
FB Nino Williams, So - 67
WR1 Darius Outlaw, Sr - 82 Sean Coffey, So - 69
WR2 Chris Crosby, So - 76 Marcus James, Sr - 68
SLOT Thomas Omboga, Jr - 72 Arnold Britt, So - 77
TE JD McCoy, Sr - 70 Chris Crosby, So - 62
LT Rob Droege, Sr - 88 Scott Sells, Sr - 67 Tony Clinker, Jr - 65
LG Cliff Young, Sr - 78 Joe Gianino, Jr - 69
C AJ Ricker - 89 Scott Sells, Sr - 72
RG Rob Hoover, So - 73 Joe Gianino, Jr - 69
RT Scott Paffrath, Jr - 75 Scott Sells, Sr - 67
LE Kory Drury, Fr - 79 Zach Ville, Jr - 73
RE Atiyyah Ellison, Jr - 75 Zach Ville, Jr - 73
DT CJ Mosely, So - 74 Earl Stephens, So - 70 Russ Bell, Sr - 66
DT Earl Stephens, So - 70 Russ Bell, Sr - 66
STRONG James Kinney, Jr - 79 Brandon Barnes, Sr - 69
WEAK Derrick Ming, So - 70 Brandon Barnes, Sr - 69
MIKE Henry Sweat, Jr - 66 Rob Hoover, So - 60
CB AJ Kincade, So - 78 Terrence Curry, Sr - 73
CB Michael Harden, Sr - 73 Dedrick Harrington, Fr - 68
FS Andrew Hoskins, Jr - 64 Dedrick Harrington, Fr - 63
SS Justin Scott, So - 74 Dedrick Harrington, Fr - 72
K Mike Matheny, Sr - 72
P Brock Harvey - 71
KR Darius Outlaw, Sr - 82 AJ Kincade, So - 78
PR Darius Outlaw, Sr - 82
Redshirted: None
Passion Ignites Intensity
NCAA04! Retro AF!
