Freshman quarterback Jamal Jackson passes the ball during the Mountaineers’ March 17 practice in Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photo by Andrew Torrey | The Appalachian.

ASU linebacker coach Dale Jones has taken over the position as defensive coordinator for the Mountaineers, and this spring the Apps have also received Scot Sloan as the new defensive backs coach.

“They fit like a glove,” Moore said. “It’s been a good transition for us. It kind of came a little late as far as jumping right into spring practice, but they’re good football coaches, and they’ve done a great job communicating with the players.”

Jones replaces previous defensive coordinator John Wiley after his sudden decision to leave for ECU.

Jones has served as Appalachian’s linebackers coach since 2005, and was the defensive line coach from 1996-2004.

“I’ve been here for a long time,” Jones said. “I’m still learning. We’re doing some things with coverage and stuff like that that we haven’t done here in the past, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been associated with it.”

By implementing new defensive strategies, Jones has enhanced both the team’s performance and spirits at practice.

“We’ve changed things around,” Jones said. “We’re doing a lot of different things with our coverage and how we’re forcing against the run. It has made a big improvement for us. The biggest thing is we’ve made it where our kids are having fun, and we’re going to try to keep it that way.”

Sloan is also adjusting smoothly in his newly acquired position at Appalachian.

His fellow coaches said they knew right away he was the man for the job.

“Coach Sloan has done a great job coming in,” Jones said. “In his interview we knew he was the guy, because he has done the things [we are working on now] in the past, so that really helped.”

Sloan hopes to pass on his own fervor and enthusiasm to the squad.

“I’ve got a passion for football, and I hope that bleeds into my players. I believe that players take on a lot of the personality of their coach,” Sloan said. “Football is something that has been a part of my life my whole career and I just want to provide some leadership to these guys both on and off the field.”

Sloan’s prior experience as a football coach in Georgia has primed him for his new position here on the ASU staff.

“I was at Georgia Military College for six years, and I left there and coached defensive backs at Georgia Southern for four years,” Sloan said. “I’ve been coaching high school football in Georgia for the last four [years].”

Coaches and players are all looking ahead to the future, and the first step to a successful season is completing spring practices.

“It’s all happened awfully fast,” Sloan said. “The first day I got here we started 6 a.m. gym, and that ran right up into the first practice, but things have been going well. The guys have played hard and had a good spring, and the biggest thing now is finishing it.”

Moore believes there is no reason the men should not do well in the fall.

The players continue to learn from both Jones and Sloan with every passing practice.

“All in all, the players have adjusted well to [the coaches],” Moore said. “Both of them are in a lot more pressure during the season than they are out here in the spring. I think the fact that they’re such good teachers is the paramount thing right now. We really don’t have an excuse not to do well with the way they teach.”

Story: RANDI KITTS, Sports Reporter

Photo: ANDREW TORREY, Intern Photographer