FIVE QUESTIONS
1. What will happen at quarterback? Baylor School graduate Nick Tiano, who transferred from Mississippi State in 2017, started the first four games and played in five last season as a sophomore before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final six contests. That paved the way for former Bradley Central star Cole Copeland to come in and earn All-SoCon freshman team honors. Copeland will enter the spring as the leader at his position, with Tiano and Chris James right behind him. James will be a sophomore, and coaches think highly of the former Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and Gilmer High School player.2. Has the offensive line matured? The Mocs struggled to run the ball in 2017. Actually, they struggled to move the ball at all, ranking eighth in the SoCon in total offense and points scored. Four starters return for that unit, with Moon having a chance to make an impact immediately by replacing two-time All-SoCon center Josh Cardiello. For the offense to be successful in 2018, the line will have to lead the way.3. Who are the impact newcomers? Moon factors in here as well, having spent three years competing day in and day out against Southeastern Conference defensive linemen. Running back Tyrell Price, one of three running backs signed, has the size at 6 foot and 220 pounds to run in between the tackles and is listed as the second-team running back behind senior Alex Trotter. Tight end Jordan Gilberti hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but UTC coaches have pegged him as a potential difference-maker. He’ll start the spring as the No. 1 tight end with Bailey Lenoir sitting out.4. Will there be any defensive changes because of the new faces? Well, no. New defensive coordinator Matt Feeney taught the Mocs’ 3-4 defensive scheme to former UTC defensive coordinator Tom Kaufman, who’s now the DC at Kent State, and former John Carroll DC Chris Shula, who’s now an inside linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams. The schemes will remain the same and should improve with so much of the personnel having had a year to learn.5. Has the team grown? Part of the slow start to last season appeared to be the result of complacency. Some returning players seemed to have taken the program’s three consecutive playoff appearances for granted and felt as though it was their right to make the postseason. The season started to shift positively once players bought into a new way of doing things, though, and that positive attitude has been prevalent through the offseason workouts. With more stability all around, the Mocs will look to take a step forward during the spring that could lead into late summer, when the freshmen arrive.Gene Henley
After an offseason of massive turnover on his staff, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Tom Arth is about to begin his second spring with the Mocs.
This morning at Scrappy Moore Field, UTC will hold its first of 14 spring practices. That number includes the Spring Showcase on March 24 at Finley Stadium, where the activities will include a youth clinic and the third annual Scrappy’s Wing Contest, a chicken wings cook-off. Registration for both is available at gomocs.com.
Forty-two lettermen return from Arth’s first Mocs team, with 20 on offense, 19 on defense and three of them specialists. Seventeen of those players started as UTC went 3-8 last year but won two of its final three contests.
The biggest shakeup for the program came on the coaching staff.