On Dec. 6, 2001, the San Diego State graduate and former Aztec quarterback was hired as the school’s head football coach. Craft had also served as an offensive coordinator on The Mesa.
"Tom was the first choice of more than just myself," Bay said. "He was the choice of our committee as well as the choice of the players that met with him. We felt we had a great candidate pool, but Tom certainly distanced himself from the rest."
Craft became the first San Diego State graduate to lead the football program since Bob Breitbard in 1945.
"It is special to go back to your alma mater where you have real affection and genuine emotional ties," Craft said the day his hiring was announced. "I know what it will take for us to have the kind of program that we all want for San Diego State. We will be successful."
Craft has a direct link to San Diego State's glory days under former coach Don Coryell. He played at SDSU for Claude Gilbert, an assistant under Coryell and the man who succeeded the legend when Coryell left for the National Football League.
As a player, Craft was the starting quarterback and team captain for the Aztecs in 1976 and led San Diego State to a 10-1 record while completing 69 percent of his passes.
Craft has also been successful as an assistant coach and as a head coach. As a coordinator at San Diego State (1994-96), Craft led the Aztecs to their three best offensive years in the post-Marshall Faulk era. Each of his offensive units averaged more than 30 points per game, including a 38.9-point average his final year as in 1996. During his last two seasons on campus, San Diego State was ranked among the nation's top 10 teams in scoring and total offense.
QUARTERBACKS
Craft installed a one-back, spread offense in the spring that will utilize to some extent a no-huddle scheme. The key, of course, will be how the quarterback performs.
"We have to be able to throw the football to be successful this season," Craft said. "We have four [scholarship] quarterbacks on our roster and we are going to take an equal look at all of them."
During spring drills, junior Adam Hall (6-3, 215) emerged as the No. 1 quarterback over senior Lon Sheriff (6-3, 210).
In the final scrimmage, Hall completed his first eight passes and led the first-team offense to 10 points on his first two possessions. In three spring scrimmages, Hall completed 33-of-54 passes (.611) for 291 yards. He threw four touchdown passes and wasn’t intercepted.
"I feel comfortable in this offense," Hall told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It’s wide open. There is a big shot on every play, but if you don’t have it, then you check the ball down [to shorter routes]. We’re going to get some big plays going next year."
"I think it is obvious to everyone that Adam is the leader right now," Craft said after spring drills. "I think that Lon can do some things this summer that can really help him. He will be a factor in the fall. It’s certainly not over.
"I did think Adam Hall stood out in the final scrimmage. The opening drive was really crisp with good execution."
Hall started one game last season but finished strong in the 2001 finale against Wyoming. Sheriff had a strong sophomore season, but struggled as a junior with only three touchdown passes. Hall and Sheriff combined for more than 1,800 yards passing last year.
Also in the picture are sophomores Jon Stoner (6-1, 200) and Danny Armstrong (6-0, 200). The two quarterbacks were heavily recruited, but are far behind Hall and Sheriff in experience.
RUNNING BACKS
The Aztecs must replace All-American Larry Nedd and his 1,549 yards and 15 touchdowns. Still, San Diego State is deep at running back with nine players in the mix for playing time.
Senior James Truvillion (5-10, 195) is atop the depth chart as he returns from a red-shirt season after suffering a hamstring injury. In the final spring scrimmage, Truvillion had his best effort in two years. He rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries, and scored two touchdowns.
Junior Jason Van (5-10, 195) had only two carries for eight yards in the spring scrimmage, but is expected to see plenty of time behind Truvillion.
"James brings a lot to the table and Jason Van is now an upperclassman with potential," Craft said.
Red-shirt freshman Michael Franklin (5-7, 170) and junior DeAngelo Nedd (5-11, 205) caught Craft’s eye during spring drills. Nedd, a former safety, had nine carries for 27 yards in the final scrimmage and Franklin carried six times for 15 yards.
"I think Michael had a good spring," Craft said. "Nedd has some things to work on, but he had a nice spring as well."
Also expected to see playing time are bruisers Justin Green (6-0, 220), a sophomore, and Garric Simmons (6-0, 225), a senior. Also available is red-shirt freshman Freddie Keaiho (6-0, 210), who played well on the scout team last year. Former Arizona Diamondback Darryl Conyer, who was one of the top high school backs in San Diego County coming out of high school, left the team in March to concentrate on his academics.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
In Craft’s offense the receivers are just as important as the quarterback.
The Aztecs have three talented receivers in seniors Ronnie Davenport (6-1, 195), Kassim Osgood (6-5, 210) and J.R. Tolver (6-2, 205).
Tolver has caught more passes than anyone in the Mountain West Conference over the last two seasons, while Davenport and Osgood will be making their Aztec debuts in the fall. A year ago Tolver was a second-team All-MWC selection after finishing third in the league in receptions (63), receptions per game (5.73) and receiving yards per game (79.8).
Tolver is a consistent player who will leave his mark on the school’s record book. He caught five passes for 42 yards in the final spring scrimmage. Davenport is a former California Bear while Osgood was a Division I-AA All-American at Cal Poly before transferring to San Diego State.
Expected to add depth for the Aztecs are sophomore Jeff Webb (6-2, 190) and sophomore walk-on Kyle Conerly (5-11, 190). Webb has tremendous potential while Conerly turned some heads late in the 2001 season. Hoping to make an impact will be sophomores Lonnel Penman (6-2, 200) and Adam Gray-Hayward (6-2, 200).
Junior Raleigh Fletcher (6-4, 280) is listed as the starter to replace departed seniors Gary McNeill and Brian Gelt at tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE
San Diego State returns two starters in junior tackle Brendan Darby (6-7, 290) and senior center Johnathan Ingram (6-2, 300).
Behind Darby and Ingram is plenty of size. The spring roster included 10 offensive lineman weighing more than 300 pounds, including sophomore tackle Mike Kracalik (6-9, 330).
"It appears that Kracalik is ready to make in impact," Craft said. "And we feel Ingram will be the leader of the group. He’s a good player and a senior who has played a lot the past two seasons."
Senior Raul Gomez (6-3, 305), who has been in and out of the starting lineup the last two seasons, is listed as the starter at a guard spot. The other starter at guard is expected to be junior Shawn Dickie (6-5, 300).
Two December signees, juniors Zach Barnes (6-2, 325) and Nicholas Penalosa (6-4, 300), should both push for playing time in the fall.
KICKERS
The place-kicker will be senior Tommy Kirovski (5-11, 195), who made 10-of-13 field goal attempts last season. He was extremely accurate inside the 40. Kirovski played for Craft at Palomar.
The holders are senior Brian Simnjanovski (6-3, 230) and sophomore Jon Stoner (6-1, 200). Simnjanovski, who is Kirovski’s cousin, is also the punter and kickoff specialist.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Aztecs will definitely miss defensive lineman Jerome Haywood, the heart and soul of the defense for the last four years.
However, four players return at defensive end who have started at the position at some time over the last two seasons, including senior Ryan Iata (6-5, 270), junior Anthony Foli (6-4, 290), senior Amon Arnold (6-4, 265) and senior Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (6-5, 275).
Gbaja-Biamila moves back outside after a year at tackle. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA because of an Achilles injury that cost him all but one game of the 2000 season.
Foli returns from a back injury suffered at Ohio State. He missed the last four game of the 2001 season. Iata and Arnold were the starters on opening day last year, so the competition should be fierce at this position. Foli could see some action inside as well.
Listed as the starters at tackle are sophomore Marcus Levi (6-4, 290) and senior Jared Ritter (6-3, 260).
Ritter has been a role player at defensive tackle in the past. Also on the two-deep after red-shirting after his transfer from Bakersfield College is junior Brook Miller (6-4, 270).
LINEBACKERS
Junior Beau Trickey (6-1, 240) returns after missing most of the 2001 season. He suffered a knee injury in the Air Force game. Trickey opened last season as the starting middle linebacker, but could line up at outside linebacker this year.
When Trickey was hurt last year, Kirk Morrison (6-2, 235) stepped in and received freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News.
The other starter will be sophomore Stephen Larsen (6-1, 230), whose role grew throughout the 2001 season.
"We need to find our depth at linebacker," Craft said. "That will be a goal on the defensive side."
The backups will be senior Rodney Allen (6-0, 220), sophomore transfer Heath Farwell (6-1, 220) and red-shirt freshman Matthew McCoy (6-0, 205). Allen is a talented player who has been plagued with injuries, while Farwell sat out last season after transferring from San Jose State. McCoy was outstanding on the scout team last year.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Aztecs will miss safeties Will Demps and Garret Pavelko, who provided consistency, experience and talent in the secondary.
"Safety is a position we tried to attack this spring," Craft said. "It is still an area where we need a lot of work. We aren’t where we want to be, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get there."
Demps’ younger brother, red-shirt freshman Marcus Demps ( 6-0, 190), is a contender to start at free safety and strong safety. The starters are expected to be talented sophomores Marviel Underwood (5-10, 200) and Josh Dean (6-0, 210). Underwood played at quarterback a year ago while Dean played behind the seniors. Dean is the son of former Aztec and NFL standout Vernon Dean.
Returning at cornerback are senior Ricky Sharpe (6-1, 190) and junior Jeff Shoate (5-10, 180). Shoate solidified the secondary last year after transferring from Montana. Sharpe and Shoate should rank among the best in the Mountain West.
PUNTERS
Simnjanovski will be the Aztec punter again this season. He is among the best punters in the nation and should make a run at the Ray Guy Award. An Academic All-American, Simnjanovski averaged 43.6 yards per punt last year, third best in SDSU history. That total topped the league and was 21st in the nation.
The deep snappers are sophomores Casey Naylor (6-0, 220) and Robbie Ryan (6-4, 220).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Gone are Donte Gamble and Derrick Lewis, who were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in punt and kickoff returns last season. Underwood will be used this year on returns as well as Tolver and Caliste.
The new special teams coach is LeCharls McDaniel, who coached the secondary and special teams at San Diego State from 1994-96. He most recently served as special teams coach at Cal, and his background includes playing and coaching experience at the college and NFL levels. He was special teams coach for the Washington Redskins in 1998 before returning to Cal for the 2001 season.
RECRUITING CLASS
Even though he wasn’t hired until Dec. 6, Craft and his staff turned in a solid recruiting effort.
The Aztecs signed 20 players to national letters-of-intent, along with three mid-year transfers.
"Considering our late start, we did extremely well and addressed a lot of our immediate needs," Craft said. "We want to be a high-school based program, but we had several areas that we felt needed help before next season."
Among the headliners is Frederick Collins (6-1, 190), the prep All-America back from La Quinta who is one of the most decorated players to ever sign with San Diego State.
Craft also signed receiver Clint Bingham (5-10, 170), who was considered one of the top 100 junior college players in the country. Defensive backs Keith Ellison (6-1, 195) and Reggie Grigsby (5-11, 185), along with offensive lineman Nephi Penerosa (6-3, 285), were all listed by Super Prep magazine among the best high school players in the country.
Expected to help in the secondary is LaVance Ray (6-0, 180) from Fresno City College.
"LaVance filled our need at defensive back right away," Craft said. "We are very happy to have him. He has the diversity to play either a safety or a corner position."
The Aztecs also signed defensive lineman Freddie McCutcheon (6-1, 275) from Cabrillo High in Long Beach, and defensive end LeAndrew Stewart (6-8, 225) from Stockton High in Edison, Calif.
BLUE RUBBON ANALYSIS
The Aztecs have new dressing quarters, a new weight room, a new academic center and a new coaching staff for.
First-year coach Tom Craft inherits 37 lettermen and 13 starters for his first squad. He must replace an All-America running back, a pair of superb safeties and a defensive tackle who started all 45 games of his career.
Craft will handle an offense that will feature a one-back, spread set that includes a no-huddle scheme. Taking care of the defense will be coordinator Thom Kaumeyer, a former player and assistant coach under Craft.
Kaumeyer, who plans to install an aggressive defense, spent the last two seasons as defensive quality-control coach for the Atlanta Falcons. In Atlanta, he assisted in all facets of the defensive game plan and also served as assistant secondary coach.
Kaumeyer played for Craft at Palomar College and later played in the NFL for the Rams, Seahawks and Giants. He coached on Craft’s staff at Polamar before joining the Falcons.
Craft and the Aztecs will be trying to avoid a fourth straight losing season, which hasn’t happened since 1957-60.
What the players must remember is that Craft is a winner. The Aztecs were 18-4 during Craft’s two years as their quarterback. Before arriving at San Diego State, Craft played at Monterey Peninsula College, where he led the nation’s junior colleges in passing.
His record at Palomar College was 115-56-1. Five of his teams won at least 10 games and he won three national championships and three state championships. He was voted as the state coach of the year five times and honored as the Mission Conference Coach of the Year nine times.
Craft will be a winner at San Diego State. Maybe not this year, but soon. He has the coaching tools, along with the confidence to turn around a program. He is also an Aztec, and that will pay dividends on and off the field
"Tom provided us the best chance for a fast turnaround," SDSU athletic director Rick Bay said. "And he is coaching at a place that truly means something to him."
