2016 Season Preview ~ Meet the Squad

September 2, 2016 / J Bell / Leave a comment

If you have spent any time in or around Daytona Beach since the beginning of this decade, you know there are three constants on which you can bank.

1 ~ the deliciousness of an order of Honey Wings from Bethune Grill; (love those)

2 ~ a full parking lot at Krispy-Kreme when the “Hot Doughnuts Now” sign begins flashing;

3 ~ Bethune-Cookman ending the season atop the MEAC standings.

The Wildcats have won or shared the MEAC crown in all but one year this decade. They have averaged over 9 wins a season in that span, produced MEAC Player of the Year awardees on both sides of the ball, sent talent on to the professional ranks…….well you get the point. BCU football has been pretty dang good since 2010 and this year should be no exception.

Terry Sims (9-2 in 2015) enters his second season with much of his 2015 MEAC Co-Championship team still intact. Sims’ squad returns 7 offensive starters, as many on defense, the punter, placekicker, return specialists, Elvis, Bigfoot, ‘eerybody’ is back for the party. Simply put, the talent is in place for BCU to make yet another run at the conference crown and perhaps earn their first ever trip to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.

Offense

Phillip Norman

The Wildcats led the conference in several offensive categories a season ago including Scoring Offense (31.4 ppg) and Total Offense (445 ypg). Trevin Huff, Phillip Norman and Dazzie Morris return as starters along the offensive front. The trio will try to help set the stage for BCU’s high powered offense. Job Buissereth (6’4”, 325) and David Bryant (6’7”, 336) will look to anchor the right side of the line. Ja-Quan Lumas and Michael Boland are both expected to see regular action at the tight end position. Lumas finished the year with 3 receiving touchdowns and could see more red zone targets this year.

Larry Brihm has had flashes of brilliance for BCU (think 2014 Florida Classic and 2015 comeback win against Grambling State). His experience in Jim Pry’s offense makes him the favorite to take over the reins at quarterback for the now departed Quentin Williams. Brihm will need to show more consistency in the pocket if he plans to remain the unquestioned primary signal caller throughout the course of the season. Redshirt freshman Arkevious Williams and JUCO transfer Anthony Cruz will look to challenge Brihm for snaps.

WR- Frank Brown vs NSU 2015

Wide receiver is easily BCU’s deepest position. JaWill Davis , Frank Brown, Keavon Mitchell, Jontavious Carter, and Jaime Wilson have all had great moments in Maroon and Gold jerseys. Davis (39 rec, 6 TDs) is perhaps the best deep threat of the bunch while Brown (30 rec, 6 TDs), is the most reliable route runner and pass catcher of the crew. Travares Copeland is a North Carolina State transfer looking to add his name in the mix of this already talented bunch. Copeland can be dynamic with the ball in his hands and has the ability to contribute as a receiver, return specialist or ball carrier.

Speaking of ball carriers, Michael Jones has evolved from former walk-on into a Preseason All-MEAC 1^st Team running back. Jones is a multidimensional player who contributes in both the run and pass game. In fact, he led the Wildcats in All-Purpose yards (880) a season ago. Freshman Tupac Isme and Marcus Levy should also find regular minutes in the backfield.

Defense

The Wildcats return all four starters as well as their first line rotational guys along the defensive front. Kevin Thompson and Todney Evans developed nicely as last season progressed and both look physically stronger this year. Thompson and Evans have exceptional athleticism and quickness at the defensive end position. Both have a chance to be stars in this league if they can meet the physicality demands of the position. DaMarcus Womack weighs in at 6’3”, 350 pounds. He along with the familiar faces of Jamal Thomas, DiShawn Ray and Anthony Meyer will look to plug the middle of the defense more consistently than we saw a year ago. Malik Slaughter was a highly touted JUCO player who is now looking to be an impact player at the FCS level.

All-MEAC Preseason selectee Trenton Bridges’ responsibilities will extend far beyond bringing down opposing running backs when he line up at middle linebacker this year. Bridges will be counted upon to make the right defensive checks and for leading a linebacking crew that will feature first year starters flanking him on both sides. Atreyu Farrior, Werley Placide and Veion Robinson have first dibs at making their names as starters in Yogi Jones’ defense.

Diquan Richardson is the leader of a secondary that is expected to be much improved in 2016. Arthur Williams provides BCU with some much needed length at corner while Sophomore Elliott Miller is a speedy cover guy who looks to build on a solid 2015 campaign. Former cornerback and UCF product Jeremy Davis switches to safety.

Another year of seasoning should help this year’s Wildcat defense rebound from a season that saw them fall to the middle of the pack in most defensive categories.

Coach Sims and his 4 time defending MEAC championship squad kick things off this Sunday at 1:00 against Alcorn State in the 12^th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game will be televised on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN.

Updated: HAILWILDCATS.COM “PREY TOGETHER” NORTH TEXAS FAN TRIP SEPTEMBER 10th, 2016

August 13, 2016September 6, 2016 / D Will / 1 Comment

Hello Wildcat Nation and welcome to another exciting year of Hailwildcats.com and Wildcat Football,

We would like to cordially invite you to travel with HailWildcats.com as we “Prey Together” and support our Fighting BCU Football team under the direction of Head Coach Terry Sims. Our Fighting Wildcats will travel to Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas on Saturday September 10th, 2016 to take on the North Texas Mean Green Football team, kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. CST

As a bonus to our Wildcat family, Hailwildcats.com is offering the discounted 2+2+1 rate of $735.00 which guarantees you 2 Round trip Airline Fares (*Baggage Fees are separate), 2 Game Tickets, Transportation while in Texas and a hotel room on Saturday night. So grab another Wildcat Fan, and travel with us. If you are traveling by yourself, for the low 1+1+1* share rate of $380.00, you will be guaranteed a Round trip Airline Fare (*Baggage Fees are separate), 1 Game ticket, transportation while in Texas and a Hotel room share* on Saturday night in a Dallas, Texas hotel. If you have a Game ticket, you can secure your Round trip Airline Fare (*Baggage Fees are separate) transportation while in Texas, and a Saturday night hotel room share* (1+1*) for $365.00, and for 2 persons, (2+1) $705.00 which will guarantee you 2 Round trip Airline Fares (*Baggage Fees are separate), transportation while in Texas, and a Saturday night King/Double Bed hotel room.

We will depart Daytona Beach at 8:00 a.m. for a 9:00 am arrival at Orlando International Airport on Saturday September 10th (if you would like you may meet us at the airport), the flight will depart Orlando (OIA, MCO) at 11:11 am and arrive in Dallas, Texas at 1:02 pm. Upon arrival in Dallas we will proceed to the hotel to check-in and change. We will depart for Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas at 4:00 pm. At the conclusion of the game we will travel back to the hotel Dallas. The outbound flight back into Orlando will depart Dallas Sunday September 11th at 11:25 am and arrive in Orlando at 3:00 pm.

Hotel Rating: 4*

*Hotel Room Share – Share/paired in a double bed room with a fellow Wildcat in a 4 star hotel.

A $125.00 per person deposit is due immediately to secure Airline rates/arrangements.

We encourage the use of PayPal for a fast, safe, and convenient method of securing your arrangements. We have attached the PayPal links/options below for your convenience. You do NOT need a PayPal account to complete your transaction. If you prefer to pay with cash or with Credit/Debit card in person or over the phone, please coordinate with Darold Williams at the number below. Checks will NOT be accepted. When completing the information in Paypal, please include Names, Date of Birth, and Gender of all persons traveling.

This trip and arrangements are time sensitive so please book today!

If you have any questions, please call or text Darold Williams at 904-351-8381.

Other Planned Hailwildcats.com Fan Trips:

Sat, Sep 24	Savannah State *	Savannah, Ga.
Sat, Oct 08	South Carolina State *	Orangeburg, S.C.
Sat, Oct 22	Norfolk State *	Norfolk, Va.
Sat, Nov 05	Morgan State *	Baltimore, Md.
Sat, Nov 19	Florida A&M *	Orlando, Fla.

Hail Wildcats!

__________________________________________________________________

1+1+1*- 1 Roundtrip Airline Ticket w/ Transportation, 1 Game Ticket, and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU Wildcats vs North Texas Mean Green September 10th, 2016 Denton, TX

DEPOSIT FULL PAYMENT

$280.00 $380.00

2+2+1- 2 Roundtrip Airline Tickets w/ Transportation, 2 Game Tickets, and 1 King size or Double Bed Room BCU Wildcats vs North Texas Mean Green September 10th, 2016 Denton, TX

DEPOSIT FULL PAYMENT

$560.00 $735.00

Already have your Game Ticket?

1+1*-1 Roundtrip Airline Ticket w/ Transportation and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU Wildcats vs North Texas Mean Green September 10th, 2016 Denton, TX

DEPOSIT FULL PAYMENT

$280.00 $365.00

2+1- 2 Roundtrip Airline Tickets w/ Transportation and a King/Double Bed Hotel Room BCU Wildcats vs North Texas Mean Green September 10th, 2016 Denton, TX

DEPOSIT FULL PAYMENT

$560.00 $705.00

Photos ~ BCU vs SCSU 2015

October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 / J Bell / Leave a comment

$350 for 2 seats, 2 tickets, and hotel room on HAILWILDCATS.COM FAN BUS to Grambling St. 9/12/2015

September 8, 2015September 10, 2015 / D Will / Leave a comment

Greetings BCU Fans!

You are cordially invited to hop onboard the HailWildcats.com “Road to the Celebration Bowl” Fan Bus as we support our team in their quest to have a successful season under the direction of Head Coach Terry Sims. Our Fighting Wildcats will travel to Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana on Saturday September 12th, 2015 to take on the Grambling State Tigers, kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CST

As a bonus to our Wildcat fans, Hailwildcats is offering the discounted 2+2+1 rate of $350.00 which guarantees you 2 bus seats, 2 game tickets, and a hotel room Saturday night after the game. So grab another Wildcat Fan, and get on the bus with us. If you are traveling by yourself, for the low 1+1+1* share rate of $200.00, you will be guaranteed, transportation to and from the game, a game ticket, and a Hotel room share* on Saturday night after the game. If you already have a game ticket, you can secure your transportation to and from Grambling and Saturday night hotel room share* (1+1*) for $170, for 2 persons, $300.00 will guarantee you 2 bus seats and a Double Bed hotel room.

We will depart Daytona Beach at 11:00 p.m. on Friday night the 11th and arrive at Eddie Robinson Stadium around 3:00 pm on Saturday the 12th. We will make stops along the way for breakfast and lunch. Following the game, we will travel to Jackson, Mississippi to rest overnight at the Fairfield Inn and Suites. We plan to depart Jackson at 8 am on Sunday the 13th heading to Daytona Beach and will stop for lunch, ETA: Daytona Beach 8 pm.

Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis and are filling fast. No seats are guaranteed until final payment has been received. All sales are final!

*Hotel Room Share- Share/paired in a double bed room with a fellow Wildcat in a 4 star hotel.

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We encourage the use of PayPal for a fast, safe, and convenient method of securing your seat. We have attached the PayPal links/options below for your convenience. You do NOT need a PayPal account to complete your transaction. If you prefer to pay with cash or with Credit/Debit card in person or over the phone, please coordinate with Jerry Bell or Darold Williams at the numbers below. Checks will NOT be accepted.

Seats are filling up quickly, so be sure to lock yours in today.

PICKUP LOCATION:

ORLANDO, FL – Home Depot Lee Rd. – September 11th 10:00 PM 5351 Diplomat Cir, Orlando, FL 32810

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –Bethune Cookman University – September 11th 11:00 PM Between the Facilities building and the Band Hall

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Cracker Barrel – September 12th 1:00 AM 502 Chaffee Point Rd Jacksonville, FL 32221

If you have any questions, please call or text Jerry Bell at 407-494-5302 in the Orlando Area or Darold Williams at 904-351-8381 in the Daytona Area

Hail Wildcats!

__________________________________________________________________

1+1*-Bus Seat and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$170.00

2+1= 2 Bus Seats, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$300.00

1+1+1*-Bus Seat, Game Ticket, and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$200.00

2+2+1= 2 Bus Seats, 2 Game Tickets, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$350.00

$340 for (2 pax) on HAILWILDCATS.COM FAN BUS to Grambling St. 9/12/2015

September 6, 2015September 8, 2015 / D Will / Leave a comment

Greetings BCU Fans!

As a bonus to our Wildcat fans, Hailwildcats is offering the discounted 2+2+1 rate of $340.00 which guarantees you 2 bus seats, 2 game tickets, and a hotel room Saturday night after the game. So grab another Wildcat Fan, and get on the bus with us. If you are traveling by yourself, for the low 1+1+1* share rate of $190.00, you will be guaranteed, transportation to and from the game, a game ticket, and a Hotel room share* on Saturday night after the game. If you already have a game ticket, you can secure your transportation to and from Grambling and Saturday night hotel room share* (1+1*) for $170, for 2 persons, $300.00 will guarantee you 2 bus seats and a Double Bed hotel room.

Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis and are filling fast. No seats are guaranteed until final payment has been received. All sales are final!

*Hotel Room Share- Share/paired in a double bed room with a fellow Wildcat in a 4 star hotel.

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seats are filling up quickly, so be sure to lock yours in today.

DEADLINE TO RESERVE: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH 8:00PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PICKUP LOCATION:

ORLANDO, FL – Home Depot Lee Rd. – September 11th 10:00 PM 5351 Diplomat Cir, Orlando, FL 32810

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –Bethune Cookman University – September 11th 11:00 PM Between the Facilities building and the Band Hall

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Cracker Barrel – September 12th 1:00 AM 502 Chaffee Point Rd Jacksonville, FL 32221

If you have any questions, please call or text Jerry Bell at 407-494-5302 in the Orlando Area or Darold Williams at 904-351-8381 in the Daytona Area

Hail Wildcats!

__________________________________________________________________

1+1*-Bus Seat and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$170.00

2+1= 2 Bus Seats, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$300.00

1+1+1*-Bus Seat, Game Ticket, and Double Bed Hotel Room Share* BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$190.00

2+2+1= 2 Bus Seats, 2 Game Tickets, and 1 Double Bed Hotel Room BCU vs Grambling at Eddie Robinson Stadium- Grambling, La

$340.00

CatEye Rewind Season 2; Episode 1

August 27, 2015 / J Bell / Leave a comment

5 Questions from Fall Camp

August 15, 2015August 16, 2015 / J Bell / Leave a comment

The Bethune-Cookman football program has spent most of the last five seasons nationally ranked and atop the MEAC standings. In that same timeframe, the Wildcats have posted more victories than any other conference school and advanced to the postseason on four occasions. Yet despite its recent run of success, the buzz surrounding the program has been relatively quiet heading into the 2015 campaign. Questions abound as to rather BCU’s window of success is closing or if the Cats are poised to continue their reign as one of the premier programs in the HBCU and FCS ranks.

Here are 5 mysteries that must be solved if Bethune-Cookman is to remain consistent in its winning ways.

The Man following the Man

1st year head coach Terry Sims

First year head coach Terry Sims inherits a roster full on talent but lacking in experience. Sims won’t be afforded a honeymoon period to acquaint himself or his young squad to the high expectations in Daytona Beach. Wildcat fans fully expect Sims to continue and build upon the success of former head coach Brian Jenkins.

Sims is well respected within the BCU athletic department. He is ultracompetitive, detailed-oriented, and perhaps better credentialed than was Jenkins when he first took over the reins in 2010. But there are some aspects of the head coaching position for which only the crucible of experience can prepare you. The manner in which Sims responds to tense, split-second and sometimes unpredictable moments on and off the field will go a long way in determining the success of this year’s squad.

Fantastic Four or Fantastic No-more???

Yogi Jones is arguably the best defensive coordinator in the MEAC. He will need to rely on all of his experience and know-how to ready a defense that features nine new starters including an all new front four.

Donald Smith #16

Not only will the defensive line feature four new starters but the four new starters were not even enrolled at Bethune-Cookman this time last year. Thankfully, they all have some post-high school playing experience under their belts and they all possess great athleticism and potential. Getting this group of new faces to actualize their talents and replace the production void left by the likes of Erik Williams, LeBrandon Richardson and Rony Barrow will be quite a task even for Yogi Jones.

Inexperience at Linebacker

Donald Smith returns as the lone starter at linebacker. We expect Robert Way, our preseason pick for breakout player of the year, and Deland high school product Trenton Bridges to join Smith as the starting linebackers. All three guys will lay a good thump on you. We just want them to get in the habit of getting ball carriers on the ground and racking up tackles. We’ll worry about highlight reel hits down the road.

OC or Oh-No?

While Yogi Jones has proven his mettle as a great defensive coordinator, the jury is still out on 4^th year offensive coordinator Jim Pry. BCU has never averaged more than 30 points per game or more than 400 yards of total offense under Pry’s guidance. In fact, Pry’s units rarely racked up huge numbers in his previously stints as offensive coordinator at Dartmouth, Akron and Duke. Granted, you can’t measure success by statistics alone and the offensive talent he had at his disposal while serving as OC at the aforementioned schools generally were not as good as the competition he faced. But coaching is a bottom line business. Pry will need to have the BCU offense prepared to carry more of the weight this season to give the new faces on defense time to jell and gain experience.

Step it up QB

In 2010, BCU entered Fall Camp unsure who would emerge as the primary signal caller. Senior Matt Johnson stepped up, made the job his own, and proceeded to have one of the best seasons any Wildcat quarterback has ever experienced. We’re hoping redshirt senior Quentin Williams can find some of that same magic in his final year.

Williams has not been bad as a starter but he has struggled with consistency at times. Q needs to step up his production this season. Whether he does or doesn’t isn’t an issue of talent but one of confidence.

Larry Brihm will challenge Williams for snaps all season and the thought of both quarterbacks taking meaningful snaps is not out of the question.

The Terry Sims era of Bethune-Cookman football begins on Saturday, September 5^th when the Wildcats travel to South Florida to take on FBS powerhouse University of Miami. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

Terry Sims the man for Bethune-Cookman

December 24, 2014 / J Bell / Leave a comment

DAYTONA BEACH — Bethune-Cookman University introduced Terry Sims as its new head football coach five years and one day after naming Brian Jenkins, whom Sims replaced, to the same position.

Sims served on Jenkins’ staff as assistant head coach, safeties coach and special teams coach for the past five seasons. Perhaps more importantly, Sims was regarded as the stabilizing agent in the BCU program over that same timeframe.

Director of Athletics Lynn Thompson stated “as we began our process of where do we go from here, we had to take stock in several things. We had to make sure we turned over every stone. We are not looking to become champions. We are champions.” (With that thought in mind,) “we saw best to stay in house. We looked to the rock of the program over the last four or five years, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the new head football coach at Bethune-Cookman University, Mr. Terry Sims.”

“I’m bubbling right now” Sims stated. “It’s a great Christmas gift and I can’t wait to get going.”

The new head coach mentioned many aspects of the program would remain the same. “Coach Jenkins (and I) sat in that building with a bunch of men in 2010 and laid a plan, we worked the plan, and the plan has been successful. Why change?”

However, Sims did state, “I will be different from Coach Jenkins (in some aspects). I’m a people person so we will be different in that sense.” Sims also went on to state the offense would speed up and be more wide open under his reign.

One difference for sure between Sims and Jenkins will be the level of external expectations from Day One. Over the past five years, the Wildcats:

have become a perennial Top 25 FCS program,
have won at least a share of 4 MEAC titles, and
have made three FCS playoff appearances.

BCU fans expect Sims to win immediately and to build on the success of the past five seasons. Sims took his first major step in ensuring the Wildcats’ continue their winning ways by keeping the majority of the coaching staff intact. Sims confirmed Yogi Jones (defensive coordinator), Jim Pry (offensive coordinator), Terry Williams (defensive backs), Lawal McCray (assistant head coach and tight ends), Earl Lane (defensive line), John Powers (offensive line) DJ McCarthy (player personnel), and Carl Franks (running backs) will all return to the BCU sidelines next season.

Coach Sims is a native of Jesup, Georgia and is the 17^th head coach in program history. He played collegiately for Knoxville College. Previous coaching stops include:

1994	Linebackers (Student Assistant), Knoxville
1995-96	Defensive Backs (Graduate Assistant), Louisville
1997-99	Running Backs/Recruiting Coord., Austin Peay
2000	Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coord., Texas Southern
2001-03	Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Backs, Texas Southern
2004	Defensive Backs/Special Teams, Prairie View A&M
2005-06	Cornerbacks, UL-Lafayette
2006-09	DBs/Special Teams/Recruiting Coord., Howard

Coach ’em up

August 25, 2011August 26, 2011 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Football Factoid #480—a good assistant coach can be as valuable to a team as an All-American quarterback. After all, the assistant coaches provide the bulk of the daily instruction, technique corrections, real-time feedback, game planning, and in-game adjustments. Coach Brian Jenkins deserves a ton of credit for quietly assembling a staff of outstanding assistants at Bethune.

New Offensive Coordinator Rob Spence

Rob Spence replaces Marc Orlando as the Cats’ new offensive coordinator. Spence has coordinator experience at both the FCS and FBS level. Toledo, Hofstra, and Clemson enjoyed some of their most productive offensive seasons in school history under Spence’s guidance. He inherits the second ranked FCS offense from a year ago, but the Cats still have much room for improvement. The Wildcats averaged just 21 points against the MEAC’s top teams a year ago (14 vs. SCSU, 21 vs. NSU, 23 vs. Hampton, and 27 vs. FAMU). That was 17 points lower than their season average of 38 points per game. The Wildcats hope to increase their scoring output this year, specifically against upper echelon competition, under Spence’s leadership.

Autry Denson and Joe Dailey join Spence as new additions to the offensive coaching staff. Denson, a former standout running back at Notre Dame and in the NFL, will coach the same position for the Wildcats. Dailey, who started at quarterback for Nebraska before transferring to North Carolina, is listed as the new quarterbacks coach. Allen Suber, Lawal McCray, and John Powers return as second year offensive assistants and will coach the wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive line respectively.

Earl Lane - BCU defensive line coach

New coaches on the defensive side of the ball include graduate assistant Buddy Collins and defensive line coach Earl Lane. While Collins is a coaching neophyte, Lane brings with him a wealth of coaching experience and a proven record of accomplishment. Lane served as defensive line coach for LSU during their 2007 BCS Championship season. He helped Glenn Dorsey win the Lombardi, Outland, and Nagurski awards in that same season. The remaining defensive coaches are the same as last year: Yogi Jones—defensive coordinator and linebackers, Terry Sims—special teams’ coordinator and secondary, Terry Williams—defensive backs.

Old and young, sustained success and hot newcomers; the Wildcats’ coaching staff has it all. Brian Jenkins will look to this diverse group of assistants to “coach up” his talented squad and hopefully deliver postseason success.