Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist University football team will have a new look and new feel as they step foot on the field for the 2016 season. CMU witnessed a coaching change shortly after a disappointing 3-8 finish to the 2015 season. In stepped former defensive coordinator David S. Calloway. Coach Calloway has already changed the culture and mentality of the Eagle football team, as they look to soar to new heights in 2016.
"My biggest goal this season is to put a football team on the field that the Eagle community can be proud to say that this team represents them in the right way," said head coach David S. Calloway.
The Eagle roster is has a lot of experience on it, with numerous returners and transfers. It also will feature some fresh faces to CMU, and some new faces that barely saw the field in 2015.
"The roster is starting to come together, but it is a process," said Calloway. "All position are open competitions, as we look to put the best players on the field, who give us the best opportunity to win games."
Following Coach Calloway's hire this past offseason, he quickly had to get to work to build his coaching staff. Former Eagle quarterback Kaleb Borghardt was promoted to a full-time position as an assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator, and both Connor White and Thomas "TJ" McBroom return for their second seasons as grad assistants. Max Hotelling hung his cleats up this past offseason, and joins the coaching staff as a student assistant. Fresh to the staff are offensive coordinator Dan Scheible, defensive coordinator Marty Steward, along with assistants Brian Jones and Julian Griffin.
"I am very excited about the staff that we were fortunate enough to assemble," said Calloway. "I am excited about working with them going forward."
The Eagles will have another tough schedule in 2016, playing all 11 games against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents. Like last season, The Heart has been split into a North and South division, consisting of six teams each. Central was picked to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Southern Division; which they will begin play in on Saturday October 15th, when the Missouri Valley College Vikings come to town. MVC is receiving votes in the preseason poll, and the game is scheduled to air on ESPN3. To begin the season, six teams from The Heart appear in the NAIA Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll.
"The Heart has always been a very competitive conference and we look forward to the challenge that every week will bring," said Calloway.
Central opens up the 2016 season at home next Saturday, August 27th at 6pm against Peru State College at Davis Field. It will be the first game for CMU on the newly installed artificial turf.
For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cmathletics and on Twitter twitter.com/cmueagles.
