TABLE OF CONTENTS
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Shannon Currier
Alma Mater, Year: Hamline, 1993
Career Record: 48-40 (eight years)
Truman Record: 16-28 (four years)
Football Phone: (660) 785-4252
Best Time To Call: Mornings
Football/Athletics Fax: (660) 785-4189
Assistant Coaches:
Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Vlcko
Defensive Coordinator: Ryan Nourse
Offensive Line: Marty Costello
Def. Line/Special Teams/Strength: Nate Holtz
Outside Linebackers: James Vint
Running Backs: John Thomas
Wide Receivers: Walker Graher
Def. Backs/Recruting: Thomas Kearney
Student Manager: Jon Guthrie
Athletic Trainer: Michelle Boyd
FOOTBALL H ISTORY
First Year of Football: 1900
Postseason Record (Yrs.): 1-4 (5 yrs.)
Last Postseason Appearance: 1994
All-Time Truman Record: 520-348-34
(.595, 100 yrs.)
MIAA Record: 289-166-20 (.629, 80 yrs.)
MIAA Championships: 26 (1988)
TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Location: Kirksville, Mo.
Founded: 1867
Enrollment: 5,800
Nickname: Bulldogs
Colors: Purple and White
Stadium: Stokes Stadium
Capacity/Surface: 4,000/
Astro Turf GameDay Grass 3D
Conference: Mid-America Intercollegiate
Athletics Association (NCAA Div. II)
President: Dr. Barbara Dixon
Director of Athletics: Jerry Wollmering
Ticket Information: (660) 785-4276
ATHLETICS MEDIA R ELATIONS
Director: Kevin White
Work Phone: (660) 785-4276
Cell Phone: (660) 626-7920
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Director: Tyler Madsen
Work Phone: (660) 785-7778
Email: [email protected]
Press Box: (660) 785-4276
2008 TRUMAN FOOTBALL
Schedule/Practice Schedule............................1
Football Quick Facts ......................................1
Media Information..........................................2
Preseason Preview ..........................................3
Head Coach Shannon Currier......................4-5
Offensive Coordinator Aaron Vlcko ..............6
Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nourse..............7
Assistant Coaches........................................8-9
Numerical Roster ....................................10-11
Alphabetical Roster ................................10-11
Roster Breakdown ..................................12-13
Returning All-Conference ......................14-18
Returning Letterwinners..........................19-28
Returning Squadmembers ......................29-32
Offensive Statistics ......................................33
Defensive Statistics ......................................34
Team Statistics ..............................................34
2007 Highs/Lows..........................................35
Long Plays ....................................................36
Game-by-Game Recaps ..........................37-47
Game-by-Game Stats....................................48
Red Zone Stats..............................................49
Starters ..........................................................49
2007 SEASON-IN-REVIEW
Single-Game Records ..................................50
Single-Game Bests ......................................50
Single Season Leaders ..................................51
Season Records ............................................52
Longest Scoring Plays ..................................52
Career Leaders..............................................53
Year-by-Year Leaders..............................54-55
Bulldog Football History ..............................56
Truman Hall of Fame....................................56
Harlon Hill Winner Jarrett Anderson............57
Derringer Cade Inspirational Award ............57
Truman All-Americans ................................58
1900-1999 All-Century Team ......................58
Truman First-Team All-MIAA ....................59
Retired Bulldog Numbers ............................59
First-Team Academic All-Americans ..........59
Truman in the NCAA Records ....................60
Truman in the Postseason........................61-62
Bulldog Football Timeline............................63
HISTORY/RECORDS/AWARDS
Gridiron Greats........................................64-66
Bulldog Letterwinners ............................67-69
All-Time Head Coaches ..............................69
Year-by-Year Scores................................70-72
2008 Game-by-Game Information ..........73-84
The Old Hickory Stick..................................77
All-Time Series Records ..............................85
MIAA Composite Schedule..........................85
2008 OPPONENTS
MIAA............................................................86
2007 Standings/All-Conference Team..........87
MIAA Team Stats ........................................88
MIAA Individual Stats ................................88
MIAA Records ........................................89-92
MIAA
Truman Athletics ....................................93-96
Truman State University ........................97-98
City of Kirksville ..........................................99
Stokes Stadium/Weight Room....................100
Staff Directory ............................................100
TRUMAN
CREDITS
Editor: Kevin White, Athletics Media Relations
Copy: Kevin White
Photography: Tim Barcus, Public Relations;
Inside Cover Design: Wintson Vanderhoof, Truman Publications
Printing: Multi-Ad -Peoria, Ill.
Special thanks to Bill Cable, Retired Sports Information Director, for historical stories and information throughout the
media guide.
This guide is dedicated to the memory of Melissa Ware, who
passed away last December and was the Sports Information
Director from 1994-2004.
2008 SCHEDULE
2008 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 Missouri S&T
Sept. 6
Southern Arkansas
Sept. 13 Central Missouri *
Sept. 20 Northwest Missouri *
Sept. 27 at Fort Hays State (Kan.)*
Oct. 4
Nebraska-Omaha *
Oct. 11 at Pittsburg State (Kan.) *
Oct. 18 Washburn (Kan.) *
Oct. 25 at Emporia State (Kan.) *
Nov. 1
Missouri Southern *
Nov. 8
at Missouri Western *
Bold - Home Games
* MIAA Games
7:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2008 HOME EVENTS
Aug. 28
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 20
Oct. 4
Nov. 1
Chamber of Commerce Day
Northeast Alumni Day
1988 Football Championship Team
Family Night
Homecoming Weekend
Hall of Fame Day
Senior Day
All schedules subject to change.
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Aug. 6
Players Check-in
Aug. 6-11
Practice - Truman Practice Field
Aug. 11
Depart for Fort Leavenworth
Aug. 7-16
Practice - Fort Leavenworth
Aug. 16
Return to Kirksville
Aug. 21
Scrimmage - 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Aug. 16-19
Practice - Truman Practice Field
Aug. 22
Begin in-season schedule
for specific preseason practice times, contact the Truman Media Relations Office
IN-SEASON SCHEDULE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday*
Saturday
No Practice
No Practice
Practice - 3:30-6:00 p.m. (shells)
Practice - 3:30-6:00 p.m. (Helmets)
Practice - 3:30-6:00 p.m. (shells)
Practice - 3:30-4:45 p.m. (walk-thru)
Bulldog Buddies - 4:45-5:15 p.m.
Game Day
* Prior to home games only - schedule varies on the road.
1
MEDIA INFORMATION
104.7 FM SUPERSTATION KRES
KRES 104.7 FM, the Superstation, enters its
14th season as the official ‘Voice of the Bulldogs’.
KRES broadcasts Truman football, as well as
the men's and women's basketball games.
Brad Boyer, Chad Speaker and Hank Janssen
bring the thrill and excitement of Truman football to
fans.
Boyer, KRES’s sports director for the last 20
years will handles the play-by-play while Speaker
will begin his first year as a full time member of the
broadcast team doing the color commentary. Longtime anaysist Hank Janssen will report from the
sidelines and
Kevin White, Director of Athletics
Media Relations
will join the
booth for the
pregame and
postgame.
Boyer was recently honored
with a Distinguished Service
Award by the
Missouri State
High School Activities Association.
Speaker is a
native of Western
Kansas and is a
Brad Boyer
proud graduate of
the University of
Kansas. Speaker has been one of the stations top
announcers during their award winning high school
athletics coverage, including calling state champi-
onship
games in
various
sports.
Janssen
has been a
fixture on Truman Athletic broadcasts since the late
70s
Football broadcasts begin 40 minutes before
each game. The pregame show features a visit with
both head coaches, a look inside the numbers, a
weekly update from the MIAA and a player profile.
Halftime brings a recap of the first-half and a
look at other Bulldog sports. After each contest,
Boyer conducts a brief live interview with the coach
and selects the Truman Player of the Game.
The KRES sports department has earned several
awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association,
including a certificate of
merit for its play-by-play
of the 1997 Central Missouri double overtime football game. It was the
second award for Truman
football broadcasts for
KRES.
The station has also
earned three awards for its
Bulldog basketball broadcasts, including a firstplace finish for Boyer for
his play-by-play of a triple
over-time elite eight game
Hank Janssen
in 1999.
LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS
110 E. McPherson
Kirksville, Mo. 63501
660-665-2805
660-665-2608 FAX
www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com
Jason Hunsicker (Sports Editor)
Bud Schrader (Sports Writer)
1729 Grand Ave.
Kansas City, Mo. 64108
816-234-4355
816-234-4360 FAX
www.kcstar.com
David Boyce (MIAA Beat Writer)
900 N. Tucker
St. Louis, Mo. 63101
314-340-8170
314-340-3070 FAX
www.stltoday.com
Cameron Hollway (College Editor)
2
P.O. Box 945
Kirksville, Mo. 63501
660-627-3333
660-667-1885 FAX
www.ktvo.com
Fred Beck (Sports Director)
Jude Wilbers (Sports Reporter)
P.O. Box 130
Kirksville, Mo. 63501
660-665-7748
660-665-0711 FAX
www.1450kirx.com
John McConnell(Sports Director)
301 S. 36th St.
Quincy, Ill. 62301
217-222-6206
217-222-5078 FAX
www.khqa.com
Chris Duerr (Sports Director)
Tyler Fulghum (Sports Reporter)
513 Hampshire St.
Quincy, Ill. 62301
800-728-6600
217-224-5786 FAX
www.wgem.com
Ben Marth (Sports Director)
Tyler Tomlinson(Sports Reporter)
Truman State University
100 E. Normal
Kirksville, Mo. 63501
660-785-4449
660-785-7601 FAX
www.trumanindex.com
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
MEDIA SERVICES
Media Credentials:
Please direct all requests for press, photo and
parking credentials to the athletics media relations office at the address on page one.
Press Area:
Truman’s press box accommodates about eight
members of the media. Admission is by PASS
ONLY. Person wishing to sit in this area must
contact the Athletics Media Relations Office in
advance of game day.
Press Services:
Rosters, game programs and statistics will be
provided to media personnel. The office will
email or fax final results to opponent media if
numbers and addresses are provided. A small
lunch is served to members of the media who
have given advanced notice of their attendance.
Internet Services:
Stokes Stadium and Pershing Arena both have
wired internet access in the press box that are
available to use for official business only. Wireless connections are currently not available
Interview Policy:
All interviews should be arranged through the
Truman Athletics Media Relations Office.
Following Coach Currier’s postgame interview
with KRES, the coach will answer questions in
the MEDIA ROOM located in the Bulldog Kennels. Selected players will also be brought to
the room.
Photography:
Photographers, with passes, are permitted to
shoot from the end zone to the 30-yard line, but
are NEVER permitted to enter the player’s box.
Passes must be displayed at all times and may
be obtained from the Athletics Media Relations
Office.
Visiting Radio:
Visiting radio stations wishing to broadcast
games must contact KRES sports director, Brad
Boyer (660-263-1600), AFTER first contacting
the Truman Athletics Media Relations Office.
The visiting phone line number is 660-665-7968
Media Parking:
Parking passes are available upon request.
Media parking is located directly behind Stokes
Stadium.
2008 Bulldog Football Preview
2008 Bulldogs Look To Contend For MIAA Championship
By Kevin White, Director of Athletics Media Relations
The defensive backfield will be one of
the areas that the team will need someone
When the Truman Bulldog Football team kicks off their 101st season on August to step up in. The Bulldogs lost two
starters from last season in all-conference
28th, anticipation will be high as the squad returns many veterans along with a
strong mix of impact newcomers. Those inside the Truman locker room believe that performers Jesse Cooper and James
the 2008 season could be something special and that the goal is to return the MIAA Thabuteau but do return junior starter
Championship to Kirksville and make a run at the NCAA Division II championship. Matt Burel (6-1, 195 lbs.) and sophomore
Head Coach Shannon Currier enters his fifth season and believes that the team starter Luther Eta (5-8, 172 lbs.). Both
Burel and Eta were thrusted into the startnow has the stability to make it a contender. The Bulldogs return 20 starters (8 ofing lineup last year. Senior Derek Rofense, 9 defense and 3 special teams) along with seven of his eight coaching staff
driguez (5-10, 176 lbs.) missed the last
members from a year ago. Truman has 43 returning letterwinners to go along with
nine games due to an injury while John
27 redshirt freshmen and 56 newcomers.
Brandon Crawford saw action in five
games. In fact of the 21 players listed as a
Offense
defensive back on the roster, 16 are either
The Bulldogs will be led by senior quarterback Matt Ticich, who enters his third redshirt freshmen or true freshmen.
year as a starter. Ticich earned second-team all-conference honors after throwing for
Special Teams
2,579 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He was also the team's leading rusher
with 294 yards and five touchdowns. The offense also returns 11 of the 12 receivers
Junior all-conference kicker Mickey
who caught passes last season, an experienced offensive line and a bolstered running
Masucci has been one of the most accugame.
rate kickers in the MIAA over the past two
Just 42 of the 246 balls caught last year will be missing out of the receiving
seasons. Masucci has made 62 of 66 extra
corps. In addition, of the 26 touchdown passes thrown, 25 of them were by returnpoint attempts and has 18 of 28 on field
ing players. Entering fall camp, senior Tyler
goal tries with a long of 45 in previous
Fenton (14 for 274, 5 TDs), junior Vanness
years. He has also averaged around 55
Emokpae (35 for 462, 4 TDs) and sophomore
yards per kickoff with 10 touchbacks, four
Kendrick Blue (19 for 300, 2TDs ) will be the
Ryan King
coming last season when kickoffs were moved
projected starting wideouts. Senior Ryan King
back five yards.
(26 for 282, 2 TDs) who was an honorable menOne area that Bulldogs have gotten depth in is the punting game. Masucci strugtion all-MIAA performer will start at the tight end
gled at times with a 33.4 punting average last year down from 35.8 his freshman
position.
season. Redshirt freshman Max Kleckner (6-2, 189 lbs.) should handle most of
The guys up front will be anchored by two
seniors, two juniors and a redshirt freshman. Sen- those duties.
The return game should be as strong as ever with Kenney and Albert Coker reiors Jon Frantz (6-5, 262 lbs.), an honorable
mention all-league performer last year along and turning in their roles from last season. Kenney would have been one of the conferMike Devine (6-4, 282 lbs.) will be with juniors ence leaders in kickoff return yards but missed games due to injury last season.
Kenney averaged 23.3 yards per return with a long of 59 last season.
Jon Gialds (6-4, 323 lbs.) and transfer Kevin
Coker was third in the conference in punt return yards at 9.7 and did have one
Bigler (6-1, 278 lbs.). Dan Tweeton (6-3, 282
lbs) will make his debut up front after sitting out return go for a touchdown.
his first year on campus.
Schedule
Those lineman hope to establish a better running game than what Truman fans saw last seaThe Bulldogs will get a lot of "home" cooking early in the season with five of
son. The Bulldogs managed just 1,257 yards on
the ground last season with the most coming from the first six games being played on the new AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D surface at
Stokes Stadium.
Ticich at the quarterback position. After spring
On a Thursday night, Aug. 28th, Truman will welcome former MIAA foe Misdrills, junior Phil Kenney (33 for 209 yds) is
souri S&T (formally Missouri-Rolla) back to Kirksville. It is a rematch of last year's
listed on top of the depth chart with junior Marseason opener in which Truman pulled out a 38-31 victory to win their 22nd straight
vin Bembry (62 for 233 yds) a close second.
Matt Ticich
Redshirt freshman Donald Harvey impressed the game over the Miners.
The first Saturday in September brings a new opponent into Kirksville. Southspring game crowd with a breakout performance and will be vying for carries while
ern Arkansas University, an NCAA Division II member from the Gulf South Confertrue freshman Tracy Milo, if not redshirted, has the high school credentials to be a
ence, finished the 2007 season with a 3-7 record.
standout at the Division II level.
Central Missouri will play under the lights at Stokes to open up the conference
In order for the offense to be successful, they must improve on their third down
conversions from a year ago and have a better running attack that can control drives. season on Sept. 13th. The Mules were 7-4 last season and finished tied for third in
The Bulldogs were eighth in the conference at 33.5% on third down conversions and the MIAA with a 6-3 record. Central broke a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter with 20
points to defeat the Bulldogs last season in Warrensburg.
ninth in time of possession at 27:36 minutes a game.
The 74th edition of the longest trophy game in DIvision II will also be played
under the lights of Stokes Stadium as Northwest Missouri comes to Kirksville for
Defense
the fourth straight home game. The Bearcats were the national runner-ups in Division II last season and have won the last six meetings. However, Truman has the
With the firepower on the offensive side of the ball, it will be up to the Bulldog
upper hand on Northwest in the all-time series between the two school with a 54-29defense to keep the opposition out of the end4 record.
zone. The defense was shaky last season finTruman finally hits the road in late September for a meeting with Fort Hays
ishing ninth in scoring allowed (37.1/game),
State. The Bulldogs have won both previous meetings with the Tigers.
tenth in total defense (464.7/game) and tenth
The newest member of the MIAA will make their debut in Kirksville for Homein rushing yards allowed (241.9/game).
coming on Oct. 4th. Nebraska-Omaha went 10-1 last season and were the winners
New defensive coordinator Ryan
of the final North Central Conference championship.
Nourse, an American Football Coaches AsTruman will then head to the unfriendly Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kan.
sociation assistant coach of the year winner
to face the Gorillas. PSU is the only school Truman has not beaten since the Gorillast season, joined the Truman staff just belas joined the MIAA in 1989.
fore spring drills from a successful seven
The Washburn Ichabods will play at Stokes on Oct. 18th. The two team's scored
years at Morningside College (Iowa).
106 points last season, however Washburn had 71 of those points. Truman leads the
Nourse will continue to use the 3-4 defenall-time series 18-7 and won the last time the Ichabods were in Kirksville.
sive scheme and is projecting six of the seven
Truman will close out October in Emporia, Kan. and facing the Hornets of ESU.
guys to be returning seniors. Senior Les
The Bulldogs won a thrilling 33-30 overtime game over the Hornets last season in
Hammers (6-3, 243 lbs.) will look to be the
Kirksville.
impact player on the defensive line after
Senior Day will bring Missouri Southern to town on Nov. 1st. The series has
being named to the all-MIAA squad the past
produced some of the most memorable games in recent memory with Truman wintwo years. Joining Hammers up front will be
ning at home in 2006 and the Lions winning last year in Joplin.
seniors and returning starters Richard
The final game of the regular season will see Truman heading to St. Joseph and
Schroeder (6-1, 253 lbs.) and Andy Swefacing off against Missouri Western. The Bulldogs rallied to knock the Griffons out
denjhelm (6-2, 284 lbs.).
Les Hammers
of the NCAA playoffs last season with a 37-28 victory.
The linebacker corp also is loaded with experience with senior inside backers
Jason Thier (6-0, 217 lbs.) and Michael Phillips (6-1 244 lbs.) clogging up the running lanes and senior Robert Massop (6-2, 225 lbs.) and junior Eric Sternberg (61, 222 lbs) bringing the heat from the outside. Those seven accounted for 49 of the
squad's 79 tackles for loss last season.
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
3
HEAD COACH
S HANNON
C URRIER
5th Season @ Truman (16-28)
9th Season as a Head Coach (48-40)
Alma Mater: Hamline College (Minn.) 1993
Shannon Currier was named the 20th head coach in
Truman football history in January of 2004.
Currier’s number one priority since taking over the
Bulldogs has been building the team’s talent level. In
2005, he brought in over 50 newcomers and the 2005
roster included 73 redshirt or true freshman. By the end
of that year, six of those freshmen were in the starting
lineup and nearly 20 were regular contributors.
This past offseason, Currier and his staff have travelled across the country in search of talent that will bring
Bulldog football back to the dominance it has been previously.
The Bulldogs had a breakout year in 2006 with a 6-5
overall record and a 6-3 MIAA mark. After an 0-3 start,
Currier’s Bulldogs defeated Central Missouri and then
went on to win five of their next seven games to finish
ranked in the final NCAA regional poll.
In four years, 37 Bulldogs have earned all-conference
honors, including seven players who return this season.
Currier’s players have also excelled in the classroom.
Truman players have been named to the MIAA commissioner’s academic honor roll 49 times in the last four
years, and the program can boast the highest graduation
rate in the MIAA.
Off the field, Currier has been busy reshaping the
team’s image on campus and in the community with numerous service projects. He has also raised the bar on
fundraising to help improve facilities and other areas of
the team.
4
Education/Family
- BA, physical education (Hamline University, 1993)
- MS, health, physical education and recreation (Bemidji State, 2002)
- Family: Wife, Amy, and children, Frannie and Collin
Head Coaching Awards
2003 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year
2003 Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Honorable Mention
2001 Hamline Alumni Coach of the Year
1993
1994
1995-96
1997-98
1999
2000-03
Previous Coaching Experience
Offensive Backfield/Special Teams
Silver Valley HS (Calif.)
Offensive Backfield/Graduate Asst.
Bemidji State
Offensive & Recruiting Coordinator
Minnesota-Crookston
Offensive & Recruiting Coordinator
Southwest Minn. State
Offensive & Recruiting Coordinator
Concordia-St. Paul
Head Coach
Concordia-St. Paul
Head Coaching Record
School
Overall
Conf.*
Concordia-St. Paul
7-3
5-3
Concordia-St. Paul
8-3
6-3
Concordia-St. Paul
9-2
7-2
Concordia-St. Paul
8-4
7-1
Truman
2-9
2-7
Truman
2-9
0-8
Truman
6-5
6-3
Truman
6-5
4-5
Overall
48-40 (.545)
* Northern Sun Intercollegiate Record - 25-9 (.795)
Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Record - 12-22 (.352)
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
Place
t-3rd
3rd
3rd
t-1st
t-8th
9th
t-4th
7th
HEAD COACH
The position at Truman is the second head coaching job for Currier.
From 2000-2003, he served as the
head coach at Concordia-St. Paul
(Minn.), helping turn that program
around despite working with a limited number of scholarships.
Currier inherited a team that won
just two games in 1999, and over the
next four years, he compiled a
record of 32-12 (.727). He left the
school second all-time in wins and
first in winning percentage.
The Golden Bears were nationally
ranked every year from 2001 to
2003. In his final season, Concordia
won a Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference championship and was a
participant in the Mineral Water
Bowl.
Currier was named the 2003 conference coach of the year and earned honorable mention
honors for the Midwest region coach of the year.
While he was at Concordia, the Golden Bears had
one of the top offenses in NCAA Division II. His teams
ranked seventh in total offense in the country in 2002
and sixth in 2003. Concordia averaged over 34 points a
game the last three years.
Currier coached 13 athletes to first-team all-NSIC
honors and 15 players to second-team accolades. He recruited two conference newcomers of the year, including one NCAA all-Division Freshman of the Year.
Currier's players at Concordia also had success in the
classrooms. He coached 33 academic all-conference
players in his four seasons.
Prior to being named head coach at Concordia, Currier served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the school for one season. He also served
as the offensive coordinator at Southwest State University (Minn.) (1997-99) and University of MinnesotaCrookston (1995-97), and was offensive backfield/wide
receiver coach at Bemidji State University (Minn.)
(1994-1995).
Currier is a former college quarterback at Hamline
University in St. Paul, Minn. He earned a B.A. in physical education from Hamline and he has a M.S. in
health, physical education and recreation from Bemidji State.
He and his wife Amy have three
children, Frannie, Collin and Gracie.
Currier vs. 2008 Opponents
Opponent
W
L
Central Missouri
1
3
Emporia State
2
2
Fort Hays State
2
0
Missouri-Rolla
2
0
Missouri Southern
1
3
Missouri Western
1
4
Nebraska-Omaha
0
0
Northwest Missouri
0
4
Pittsburg State
0
4
Southern Arkansas
0
0
Washburn
1
3
TRUMAN ALL-TIME COACHES
Coach
Years
No Coach (1900)
1
Todd Kirk (1903-06) *
4
O.C. Bell (1907-09)
3
C.B. Simmons (1910-11)
2
H.L. McWilliams (1914-25) $ 11
Don Faurot (1926-34)
9
Fred Faurot (1935-37)
3
Earl Svendsen (1938)
1
Malcomb Eiken (1939-41)
3
Vincent Gehringer (1945) #
1
James Dougherty (1945-50) #
5
Maurice Wade (1951-66) $
16
Marv Braden (1967-68)
2
Russell Sloan (1969-71)
3
Randel Lukehart (1972-74)
3
Ron Taylor (1975-78)
4
Bruce Craddock (1979-82)
4
Jack Ball (1983-89) $
7
Eric Holm (1990-94)
5
John Ware (1995-2003) $
9
Shannon Currier (2004-present) 4
Totals
100
Official NCAA Record $
100
W
L T
3
2
1
10
6
1
13
7
0
3
9
0
48
26
8
63
13
3
15
5
2
3
5
0
10
14
2
1
2
1
19
20
8
99
41
2
9
9
0
22
5
1
12
18
3
26
14
2
24
19
0
37
38
0
37
19
0
54
43
0
16
28
0
524 344 34
520 348 34
Pct.
.583
.618
.650
.250
.634
.816
.727
.375
.423
.375
.489
.704
.500
.804
.409
.643
.558
.493
.660
.556
.303
.599
.595
$ The NCAA does not recognize forfeits unless they are a result of an
NCAA violation. Otherwise on-the-field results apply. Truman won
one game by forfeit against Missouri Wesleyan in 1920, two games by
forfeit from Washburn University in 1963 and 1989, and one from
Missouri Southern State University in 1997.
* Kirk was not an official coach. Bell was the first coach appointed by
the Board of Regents. Dougherty also coached the last two games of
1945.
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
5
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
A ARON
V LCKO
4th Season @ Truman
14th Season as a coach
Alma Mater: Coe College (Iowa) 1994
Aaron Vlcko will be starting his fourth season as Truman’s offensive
coordinator, after being named to the position in July of 2005.
In 2007, quarterback Matt Ticich, tight end Ryan King and offensive
lineman Jon Frantz were named all conference after the Bulldogs averaged 366.5 yards of total offense.
The breakout game was against Upper Iowa when Truman amassed
653 yards of total offense and Ticich set a new conference and school
record with 493 yards passing.
Following the 2006 season, Ticich and running back Jake Cunningham earned all-conference honors when the Bulldogs finished with a 63 conference record and in a tie for fourth place.
In his first year, Vlcko had the difficult task of taking over an offense that lost its all-MIAA quarterback from the year before. Under
Vlcko, the Bulldog offense showed improvement throughout the year,
including averaging 414.2 yards of total offense during the final five
games of the year.
In addition to his coaching duties, Vlcko coordinates the Bulldog
Football Summer Team camps.
Before Truman, Vlcko coached at his alma mater Coe College
(Iowa) in 2003 and, prior to that, was an assistant coach at Bemidji
State (Minn.) from 1996-2003. He coached the quarterbacks at Bemidji
State and in 1998, was named the team’s offensive coordinator.
His being named offensive coordinator coincided with the Beavers
turning their program around. After averaging less than two wins a seasons since 1990, Bemidji State won six games in 1998, eight games in
1999 and nine games in 2000. In each of those three seasons, the program finished third or better in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Over Vlcko’s last five years at Bemidji State, the Beavers’ offense
averaged over 30 points and 400 yards of total offense a game. He
coached over 20 all-conference players, one conference player of the
year, several all-Americans and a regional Harlon Hill candidate.
At Coe College, he coached the quarterbacks and running backs.
Both his starting quarterback and running back earned first-team allconference honors that season. Prior to his stint at Bemidji State, Vlcko
was the running back coach at Lindenwood College (Mo.) from 199496.
Vlcko lettered four years and started three seasons on the football
team at Coe. He helped the team win three conference championships
and earn two NCAA Division III playoff berths.
Vlcko graduated from Coe in 1994 with a bachelor of arts in economics and business administration. In 1996, he earned a masters of
business administration from Lindenwood, and in 1999 he earned a
master of science in physical education from Bemidji State.
Aaron and his wife, Michelle, have a daughter, Ashlyn, and a son,
Brandon.
6
2007 Offensive Rankings
NCAA Divison II (144 Ranked)
Category
Total Offense
Rushing
Passing
Scoring
Sacks/Game
Turnovers Lost
Interceptions
Fumbles Lost
Yr.
2005
2006
2007
Total
Pts/G
18.7
22.9
28.7
23.4
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
Actual
366.5
114.3
252.3
28.7
1.82
24
13
11
Rank
71
105
32
58
48
67
70
62
Bulldog Offensive Numbers
Under Vlcko
Passing Yds/G Rushing Yds/G Total Offense Yds/G
2405 218.6 998
90.7
3403
309.4
2143 194.8 1854 168.5
3997
363.4
2775 252.3 1257 114.3
4032
366.5
7323 221.9 4109 124.5
11,432
346.4
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
R YAN
N OURSE
1st Season @ Truman
11th Season as a coach
Alma Mater: Western Montana
Ryan Nourse joined the Bulldog coaching staff just before spring
practice this past April. Nourse was the 2007 American Football
Coaches Association NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year.
Nourse had been with Morningside (Iowa) for the past seven years
and the defensive coordinator since 2003. The Mustangs were among
the leaders in the NAIA in defense, allowing just 13.2 points per game
and 249.9 yards of total offense. The Mustangs had made four straight
trips to the NAIA playoffs.
In 2007, the Mustangs intercepted a school record 31 passes and
held the opposition to just 2.3 yards rushing per attempt. Morningside
held five opponents to single-digits in scoring while posting a 9-3
record and a finishing with a trip to the NAIA quarterfinals.
Since 2004, Nourse has coached five All-Americas with three of
those players earning first-team status.
While also at Morningside, Nourse was an active volunteer for Read
Across America, mentored at-risk students, tutored students in History
and Political Science and helped with the Sloan School Early Childhood
Education Program.
He also set up numerous volunteer opportunities for his players and
set up the Junior Leadership Program, where he helped juniors build
skills necessary to be leaders on the field, in the classroom, as professionals, husbands and fathers.
Before Morningside, Nourse was a defensive backs coach at Western State College and has also coached three state playoff teams as a
high school coach in Idaho.
He is a graduate of Western Montana and was a two-year starter on
a pair of conference championship teams. Nourse played his first two
years at Dickinson State University, where he participated in the NAIA
national semifinals.
Nourse and his wife Tracy have two children, Olivia and Eli
2007 Defensive Rankings
NCAA Divison II (144 Ranked)
Category
Actual
Total Defense
464.7
Rusing
241.9
Passing
118.6
Scoring
37.1
Sacks/Game
1.45
Turnovers Gained
23
Interceptions
14
Fumbles Recovered 9
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
Rank
137
139
65
132
117
81
50
102
7
ASSISTANT COACHES
M ARTY
C OSTELLO
2nd Season
Offensive Line
N ATE
H OLTZ
2nd Season
Defensive Line/Strength/Special Teams
T HOMAS
K EARNEY
2nd Season
Def. Backs/Recruiting Coordinator
Coach Costello has spent the past eleven years in the trenches
playing and coaching the offensive line.
Costello played collegiality for Bemidji State (Minn.) from
1995 until a career-ending injury ended his playing days in 1998.
He then moved to the coaching side of football serving as student-assistant offensive line coach at Bemidji the next two years.
In the 2000 season, Costello was named offensive line coach at
Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Returning back to Bemidji to complete his graduate work,
Costello served as the team’s running backs coach and handled recruiting duties both on and off campus.
After graduating with his masters degree, Costello moved to
Coach Holtz comes to Kirksville after spending the previous
five seasons at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D. Holtz
spent his first two years as the Defensive Coordinator and the final
three years as the team’s head coach.
Dakota State had their best record during the five years that
Holtz was a member of the staff. As head coach, Holtz was 11-20
playing in the Dakota Athletic Conference in the NAIA.
Holtz had many accomplishments off the field as head coach,
including raising approximately $25,000 in various fundraisers,
implementing a volunteer program and developing and coordinating a Senior Elite Camp.
Holtz’s academic program at Dakota State resulted in the program having the highest grade point average within the men’s
sports in the spring of 2006 and second highest in the spring of
2005.
Prior to his stint at Dakota State, Holtz spent time at Austin
College in Sherman, Texas, Bemidji State, Chadron State, Wayne
State and Doane College.
Holtz was a four-year letterwinner at Doane and was named an
all-conference NIAC linebacker.
Holtz is also in charge of the Bulldogs Strength and Conditioning program.
Dana College (Neb.) and was the team’s offensive line coach, run
game coordinator and the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator.
In 2005, Costello moved to Culver-Stockton (Mo.) where he
was the Wildcats offensive coordinator for two years.
Just prior to coming to Truman, Costello spent the first few
months of 2007 at Lindenwood (Mo.) University as the team’s offensive line coach.
He is married to his wife Veeve and the couple has an son
Samuel
Kearney begins his second season on the Bulldog staff after
spending the previous two years as Assistant Head Coach at Iowa
Wesleyan College.
While a member of the IWC staff, Kearney coached the defensive backs, was the recruiting coordinator and the team’s academic
liaison. Five of Kearney’s defensive backs earned all-conference
honorable mention awards and one defensive back was named the
NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week.
While working on his masters degree at Northwest Missouri
State, Kearney coached the outside linebackers for the Bearcats.
Two of his linebackers earned first-team all-MIAA honors during
his time as a grad assistant.
Kearney earned his bachelors degree in Sports Management
from Peru State College, graduating Magna cum Laude.
At Peru, Kearney served as the program’s recruiting coordinator, running backs, wide receiver and linebackers coach.
Kearney served in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1993
and was awarded the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Cold War
Recognition Certificate.
8
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
ASSISTANT COACHES
W ALKER
G RAHER
2nd Season
Wide Receivers/Video Coordinator
J OHN
T HOMAS
4th Season
Running Backs
J AMES
V INT
2nd Season
Outside Linebackers
Walker Graher begins his second season with the Bulldogs as a
Wide Receivers coach and serves as the team’s video coordinator.
Graher came to Kirksville after spending the two previous
years as a quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Concordia
University (Neb.). He earned his master’s degree in School Administration from Concordia
While at Concordia, Graher assisted recruiting efforts in the
Omaha and Phoenix, Ariz., metro areas.
Prior to Concordia, Graher coached at Manchester College in
Indiana and Fort Laramie Jr. High School.
Graher’s playing career at Defiance College (Ohio) included
being a four-year letterwinner at quarterback and team captain in
2002.
He helped lead his team to the HCAC Conference Championship in 2001 and the NCAA Division II National Playoffs.
Graher earned the team’s most improved player award in 2000
and was also a two-year letterwinner on the school’s baseball
team.
Graher graduated from Defiance with a degree in Middle
Childhood Education.
John Thomas enters his fourth year coaching the Bulldog wide
receivers.
Over the past two years, Bulldog receivers have averaged just
over 12 yards per catch and over 200 yards per game.
Thomas coached Ryan Bonner to honorable mentiona allMIAA wide receiver honors following the 2006 season.
Thomas works in the Kirksville community in the area of druguse prevention. He has two daughters, Lauren and Allison and is
enganged to marry Rhonda Ahern.
James Vint brought nearly seven years of coaching experience
to the Bulldogs when he joined the staff prior to the 2007 season.
Vint was most recently the offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan College for one season.
Prior to that, Vint worked at Columbus High School in Bronx,
N.Y. in the capacity of defensive coordinator. His defense led the
league in scoring allowed at 5.8 points per game and rushing yards
allowed at 42 yards per contest.
Vint moved to the defensive side after spending five years as
the school’s offensive coordinator.
During those five years, Vint’s squad made the playoffs three
times and set 23 single-season school records.
Keith Alberti
Student Assistant
He was nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year award in
1999 and has had articles on coaching and leadership published.
Vint graduated from Briar Cliff University (Iowa) with a degree in writing and lingusitics and Political Science.
He was a three-year letterwinner on the school’s baseball team
and also team captain.
Michelle Boyd - ATC
Head Athletics Trainer
2008 Truman Football Media Guide
Dr. John Bailey
Team Doctor
9