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ULM Football Players Weigh in on Bowden Hiring

ULM Football Players Weigh in on Bowden Hiring

Football Dec 30
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

By virtue of an upbeat virtual meeting with new head coach Terry Bowden, the ULM football team turned the page on a tough chapter in the program's history.

"From what he told us I feel he is going to change the culture, put the best players on the field and win some games," ULM defensive lineman Kevin Pointer said. "I believe in everything he was saying."

ULM announced Bowden's hiring on Dec. 23 with the hope that the 64-year old can put the program back on track after an 0-10 season, which resulted in ULM mutually parting ways Matt Viator on Dec. 7. Bowden shared his message directly to players during an introductory call that same day.

"I hope they will be receptive to the challenge and the opportunity we provide," Bowden said.

A brief recap was probably in order for most of the players who are too young to remember the formative years of Bowden's career.

Bowden is currently serving as an analyst at Clemson under Dabo Swinney, but he made a difference as Akron's head coach during a seven-year stretch. The son of legendary college football coach Bobby Bowden took Akron to two bowl games and the Mid-American Conference West title. Terry Bowden has a history of winning throughout his career as a head coach, which took him from Salem (West Virginia) to Samford (Alabama) to Auburn and North Alabama.

"I knew of his father's history but not much about his and I looked him up and got to know his history a little bit more," ULM quarterback Jeremy Hunt said. "We are all very excited about him and the new direction he's looking to take this team. We will all miss Coach V and the staff for all that they have done, but the mood around the team is that everyone is excited to see who he brings in and we are just looking forward to getting back to work."

Said Pointer: "I didn't know much about his history, but from what he told us I can see he has a lot of experience and I feel we are definitely going to be a better team."

Like ULM, Akron was looking for a transformation when it hired Bowden. The Zips had won just one game two years in a row when Bowden began his reclamation project.

"But by that fourth year, we'd won the first bowl game in their history, and the next year, we played for the conference championship and another bowl," Bowden said. "But those players knew that I wasn't running players off. I think the first thing these players will know is I support them. I know what they've been through."

As Bowden evaluated the ULM football program, he found that 2020 was an outlier under Viator. The Warhawks reached bowl eligibility at 6-6 mark in 2018 and finished 5-7 in 2019.

"He had this team two years ago very, very close," Bowden said. "It's a shame when you lose 10 in a row because it's hard to get things turned back around. But I think this team is very close. "

The Warhawks were affected by multiple COVID-19 stoppages, missed practice time due to Hurricane Laura, saw their defensive coordinator resign before the season, had players opting out and lived in a hotel until October waiting on their dorms to be completed.

"It's hard to win football games," Bowden said. "It's not easy. A lot of people have to do a lot of things together. To me, to see the program and see how close these players came and how much they've worked. I'm going to impress upon them, 'Don't go anywhere. Keep doing what you're doing, let me add a few things, bring in a few people and let's take it over the top.'"

Bowden talked about his coaching style during his first interview with the local media.

"I'm a positive reinforcement guy," Bowden said. "I'm not a negative guy. I'm not a 'my way or the highway' – although there will be expectations of the way I like to do things. That's just a part of growing up and learning to work for a different person. Once in a while, you've got to do things the way they want to do it."
 
During his Zoom call with the current team members, Bowden briefly outlined his plans to form a leadership council, so he can regularly seek feedback from his players on key issues.
 
"The establishment of a leadership council is a step in the right direction, assuring that our voices will be heard," Warhawk defensive end Ty Shelby said. "That platform encourages the student-athletes to take ownership of the team.
 
"Coach Bowden seems energized to try and turn this program around, and he's focused on putting us in positions to be successful on and off the field."
 
"The introductory call went really well," ULM offensive tackle Blake Lodes said. "I initially had neutral feelings after the public announcement because I really wasn't familiar with the name Terry Bowden. Before the call, I did my own research and realized how prominent the Bowden name is in college football. In my opinion, he said what needed to be said and I'm excited he's coming to lead our program.
 
"The development of a leadership council is extremely important," Lodes continued. "In fact, it brought a big smile to my face when Coach Bowden first mentioned it. The council will play an important part in improving communication between the coaches and players. Even if I'm not part of the group, I'm happy to see its implementation."

ULM safety Jabari Johnson said he felt a new spark in the program after hearing from the new coach.

"We believe that he honestly wants the best for us as players," Johnson said. "Coach Bowden has legend in his blood, has been with and seen the best of the best, and I believe he will implement some of those things here that will take us over the top. Hopefully, we can be a blessing to him like he's been to us so far. Again, I'm more than excited to get to work."
 
 
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