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San Jose State Spartans (2000: 7-5) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programIt takes a different kind of person to run the San Jose State football program. The school, for the most part, is a commuter campus and doesn’t have a close-knit feel. Its location is beautiful, but it is also in one of the most expensive areas of the country. Assistant coaches have trouble finding affordable housing, often living more than an hour drive from the campus. And even when the Spartans have a good year and pull off an impressive win, the victory isn’t often the focus.Last season, after San Jose handed No. 9 TCU its only loss of the year before a national television audience, students rushed the field and tore down the goal posts. In a local television interview, a San Jose State official told a local news outlet that the win was great and would bring much-needed attention to the school. He then said his biggest concern was how the school was going to find the money to repair the goal posts. That kind of thinking drove former coach Dave Baldwin out and Fitz Hill in as his replacement. Baldwin complained about not getting his contract renewed late in the season after the Spartans were headed for their best season since 1992. San Jose beat a Top 10 team for only the second time in school history and had an offense that averaged more than 400 yards for the first time in seven years. Baldwin, who had said that he didn’t have an ego and could just as easily return to being an assistant, departed to become offensive coordinator for Cincinnati. Hill comes to San Jose after 12 seasons as an Arkansas assistant. He spent the last nine seasons as the wide receivers coach, adding the recruiting coordinator duties three years ago. He went to six bowl games with the Razorbacks and was part of the 1998 team that won the SEC championship. Hill likes a wide-open style and will use a lot of the same formations Arkansas does. The question will be how the changes affect a team that has gotten used to change. Baldwin was an intense, fiery coach. Hill has that in him, but he is a disciplinarian who has surrounded himself with coaches who know the area.
OffenseHill stepped into a nice offensive situation when he took over the San Jose reins. The Spartans have four returning offensive line starters, all with good size and experience. And Hill has one of the best backs in the country returning in senior Deonce Whitaker (5-6, 185), a Doak Walker semifinalist a year ago.Last season, Whitaker set a school record with 1,577 yards. He was fourth in the country in rushing and led the nation with a 7.0-yard average. He raised eyebrows with four 200-yard games, including 254 against Stanford. Whitaker really attracted attention after running for 154 yards against Nebraska. With the Heisman race wide open this season, Whitaker is a serious threat. The offense Hill runs doesn’t force the quarterback to make spectacular plays. Junior quarterback Marcus Arroyo (6-1, 197) is capable of scrambling and making plays with his legs, but the Spartans are better off when he makes the safe throws and hands the ball to Whitaker. San Jose returns its top three receivers from last season and welcomes back a junior college transfer. The Spartans also added a new position, but have to replace their top two tight ends from a year ago. Seniors Edell Shepherd (6-1, 170), Rashied Davis (5-9, 177) and Casey Le Blanc (5-10, 192) accounted for 123 of San Jose’s 191 receptions and 10 of the Spartans’ 16 receiving touchdowns.
Defense and special teamsIn 2000, San Jose State had one of the strangest years on defense that a team can have. The Spartans finished last in the nation in total defense, giving up 475.9 yards per game. Still, the unit had 31 takeaways and scored six touchdowns on interceptions.The bad -- or possibly good -- news is that the Spartans lose all but two players on the front seven. The 4-3 remains, but with a new coach and an influx of junior college signees on the defensive line, the Spartans’ defense will look much different than last year’s. End Brandon Miles (6-0, 252) is the only returning starter along the line. Miles recovered two fumbles a year ago, but he made only 23 tackles. Like every spot on the defense, Miles’ end spot is up for grabs. There is uncertainty at linebacker after San Jose lost one of its most emotional and best defensive players in school history. Josh Parry was a four-year starter at inside linebacker. The Spartans will try to fill Parry’s position with junior college transfer Paul Okumu (6-0, 239). Though not as tall as the 6-4 Parry, Okumu was a junior college All-American last season. Senior cornerback Alex Wallace (5-10, 169) began last year as an unknown junior college transfer. He ended the season a second-team All-WAC selection after making 39 tackles and tying for the team lead with three interceptions. He is the leader of a secondary that will have some new faces. Junior kicker Nick Gilliam (5-8, 177) is back, but he can’t have the same slow start he did a year ago. He finished strong, making 28 of his last 30 PATs and four of his last field goals, but he was only 2-of-7 from 30 yards and beyond.
Bottom lineWith a first-year coach there are going to be adjustments. Hill isn’t changing a whole lot, but he has never been a head coach and there will be an adjustment period.The firepower is there to score with any team in the country. If the defense can provide some sort of improvement and the adjustment period doesn’t last long, San Jose can surprise any of its hefty non-conference opponents. If Whitaker stays healthy all season, the season-ender at Fresno State Nov. 24 could be for the WAC title. |
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