Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Javelinas Introduce New Football HC - Daren Wilkinson

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Head Coach Daren Wilkinson Introduced in Press Conference

KINGSVILLE, Texas (Football) – He certainly has the credentials and following Monday's press conference, he now has a key to the city.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation D. Scott Gines introduced former Colorado State University-Pueblo offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Daren Wilkinson as the 10th head football coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville during a press conference Monday in McCulley Hall. Among the press conference attendee's was Mayor Sam Fugate, who presented Wilkinson with a key to the city.

Wilkinson had spent the past two seasons at CSU-Pueblo and the Thunder Wolves finished the 2014 season on top of the Division II world, earning their first ever NCAA Division II Football Championship by defeating previously top-ranked and undefeated Minnesota State-Mankato.
(complete story)

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Daren Wilkinson Named Texas A&M-Kingsville Head Football Coach

Daren WilkinsonKINGSVILLE, Texas (Football) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation D. Scott Gines announced the hiring of Daren Wilkinson as the 10th Javelina head football coach Tuesday. A press conference will be held on Monday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. to formally introduce Wilkinson.
 
Wilkinson is in his second season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at No. 8 Colorado State University-Pueblo. The Thunder Wolves defeated the University of West Georgia to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship game this Saturday, Dec. 20 to face top-seeded and undefeated Minnesota State-Mankato at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
 
"Our search focused on identifying an offensive innovator, a relentless recruiter, and an adaptive leader with a great track record for player development and a heart for community," stated Gines. "Daren personifies all these qualities, and I'm confident he will enjoy instant credibility with our fans, students, community and alumni."
 
"I also want to publicly praise our screening committee," said Gines. "This group represented six national championship teams, countless halls of fames and our Kingsville and university communities, and I am deeply grateful for their leadership, commitment and deep thinking skills in assisting with this process. I'd also like to give my sincere thanks to the Parker Executive Search firm for their tireless efforts to assist with the search process."
 
"Coach Wilkinson is a 17-year college football coaching veteran at 3 levels. He played pivotal leadership roles in developing championship teams at Fayetteville State, South Dakota State, and CSU-Pueblo, and he has an impressive coaching pedigree as both an offensive and recruiting coordinator at the J.C, Division II, and Division I levels." 
 
"Daren brings an incredible passion for Division II football and developing championship performers who train and compete for all the right reasons. Daren knows how to motivate, score points and produce high-achieving graduates."
 
"I am extremely humbled and honored that Dr. Tallant and Scott Gines have entrusted me to lead this great program," said Wilkinson. "There is a very proud history here and I cannot wait to roll up our sleeves and get going in terms of bringing championship football back to Kingsville! My family and I are excited to be part of the pride that is Javelina Football and join Javelina Nation."
 
In just their seventh season since reinstating football, the Thunder Wolves are currently 13-1 overall. The high-powered offense averages 35.1 points per game, 406.6 yards (179.3 rushing and 227.3 passing). Under his guidance, quarterback Chris Bonner was propelled to All-America honorable mention honors in 2013 and this season, ranks 18thin the nation with 29 passing touchdowns.

Three offensive players, including running back Cameron McDondle earned Daktronics All-Super Region 4 honors as Colorado State-Pueblo earned its fourth consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference crown and reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fourth straight season. Four offensive players were named to the Don Hansen All-Super Region 4 team.
 
In his first season as offensive coordinator for the Pack (2013), Wilkinson guided CSU-Pueblo to 509.3 yards of offensive per game and 42.7 points per contest, ranked sixth and seventh nationally, respectively. Under his guidance, junior quarterback Chris Bonner received all-region accolades, tallying 33 touchdowns, seventh most in the country.
 
Wilkinson joined CSU-Pueblo after nearly four seasons as the quarterbacks coach and assistant recruiting coordinator for NCAA Division I program and his alma mater, Colorado State University. Serving under Rams coach Steve Fairchild from 2008-12, he helped lead Colorado State to the New Mexico Bowl championship in 2008. That season, his offense ranked in the top 40 nationally and former CSU quarterback Billy Farris went on to play in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009. While at CSU, his recruiting areas included San Diego, North Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, North Calif., Ariz., Nev., Utah and all quarterback prospects.
 
In 2004, he joined the South Dakota State University football coaching staff as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach. While there, he helped SDSU have a smooth transition to Division I as the team had a winning record each season he led the offense, culminating in the 2007 Great West Conference championship. Spending four seasons as the offensive signal caller for SDSU, he coached the quarterback that set the school's all-time passing record and defeated the No. 1 team in the nation in 2007. South Dakota State finished with a winning record in his four seasons.
 
Joining the NCAA Division II ranks as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Fayetteville State University (N.C.) in 2001, Wilkinson coached two all-conference receivers and assisted the team in earning back-to-back CIAA Conference titles in 2002-03 and a NCAA Division II playoff berth in 2002. A quick turnaround came to fruition as FSU went from 3-7 to 10-1 in his tenure.
 
Wilkinson has coached for 17 years at the collegiate level, beginning as an offensive graduate assistant at Colorado State in 1997 and 1998 after quarterbacking the Rams for two seasons, leading them to the 1995 Western Athletic Conference title. He then served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Arizona College from 1999-00.

While at Eastern Arizona, he recruited and coached six players that went on to play NCAA Division I football and led the squad to an upset win over the No. 1 team in the nation. As an offensive graduate assistant for the Rams, he helped lead the team to the 1997 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship and Holiday Bowl Championship. In his two seasons as a GA, he worked with two quarterbacks that earned conference player of the year honors.
 
As a player, Wilkinson started seven games for Colorado State in 1995 as junior, leading the Rams to a share of the WAC title. Joining the Rams after a sensational playing career at Ricks Junior College (now BYU-Idaho), he went 21-2 as a starter and was crowned the College Sports Magazine Junior College Player of the Year in 1994. That season, he earned first team All-American honors, leading the squad to an 11-0 mark and throwing for over 3,000 yards en route to the school's all-time passing record.
 
Growing up in Valley Center, Calif., Wilkinson was a two-sport athlete at Orange Glen High School, lettering in both basketball and football. He earned second team all-conference honors on the gridiron.
 
Born Feb. 11, 1972, in Corona, Calif., he owns two degrees from Colorado State, a bachelors in psychology ('97) and a master's in education ('99). He and his wife Ann have three children, Alexa, Macy and Jet.
 
Please contact director of sports information Kelvin Queliz for further information (361-593-2870). No university officials will comment on the hiring until Monday's press conference.
 
Daren Wilkinson
Colorado State University '97 (Bachelors in Psychology)
Colorado State University '99 (Masters in Education Administration)
 
The Wilkinson File
 
NAME: Daren Wilkinson
BIRTHDATE: Feb. 11, 1972
HOMETOWN: Valley Center, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Orange Glen High School
COLLEGE: Ricks Junior College (now BYU-Idaho) and Colorado State University
COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Football: quarterback
PERSONAL: Wife: Ann | Children: Alexa, Macy and Jet

COACHING CAREER:
1997-98 Colorado State University Offensive Graduate Assistant
1999 Eastern Arizona Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
2000 Eastern Arizona College Offensive Coordinator
2001-03 Fayetteville (N.C.) State University Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
2004-07 South Dakota State University Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach
2008-12 Colorado State University Quarterbacks Coach/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
2013-present Colorado State University-Pueblo Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

AFCA All-American Team Announced

Just one from the LSC


A&M-Commerce’s Johnson Named AFCA All-American
Vernon Johnson becomes the second Lion in as many seasons to be recognized.

Commerce, Texas – A&M-Commerce senior wide receiver Vernon Johnson capped off his stellar Lion career with All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association as announced by the organization Tuesday morning.

Johnson, who is the second Lion in as many season to earn the award following in the footsteps of teammate Charles Tuaau who was a 2013 All-American, hauled in 77 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns.  He led the LSC in receiving yards and was sixth in the NCAA. He was also ranked ninth in the NCAA in yards per game. (Full Story)



Vernon Johnson All-American

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