Coaches Scoop

  Photo Courtesy of Adrian College Athletics By Nate McCray When James Prince accepted the role of defensive backs coach at Division III Adrian College in February 2025, it wasn’t just a professional move, it was a testament to faith, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to both football and family. The nearly two-hour daily commute from his home to campus is more than just a drive; it’s a sacred space for reflection, a time where gospel music fills the car and centers his spirit. “Yeah, I still listen to some rap and R&B,” Prince says with a smile, “but the gospel helps me reflect on what I’ve been through, reminds me this journey is mine.” For some, the grind of the road would be too much. Not for J-Prince. “If God is okay with it and my family’s okay with it, I’m good,” he says with conviction. Before settling into our conversation, he made it clear who helped shape this chapter: then head coach Herb Haygood, who gave him his first opportunity at Madonna University. ...

  Photo Courtesy of Matt Cashore Imagn Images By Nate McCray In an industry where college football is often defined by coaching carousels and fleeting allegiances, Northern Illinois University’s head coach Thomas Hammock represents a rare breed—a head coach whose leadership is anchored in legacy, loyalty, and lived experience. A former Northern Illinois standout turned steward of the very program that shaped him, Hammock returned to DeKalb in 2019 with more than just a whistle and a playbook—he brought back a championship mindset forged through years of postseason battles at Big Ten powerhouses Wisconsin and Minnesota. With bowl game experience and conference title runs etched into his résumé, Hammock has infused NIU with a blueprint built on toughness, discipline, and long-term development. Now, as the Huskies look to reclaim their seat atop the MAC hierarchy, it’s clear that Hammock’s vision isn’t just about reviving a program—it’s about redefining what sustained success looks li...

  Photo Courtesy of Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP By Nate McCray As the summer sun beats down on Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the Detroit Lions will kick off their 2025 campaign with a nationally televised clash against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. More than just a preseason tune-up, the upcoming July 31st, 8 p.m. matchup will serve as a symbolic milestone for a franchise on the rise—honoring its storied past while showcasing the momentum of a team aiming for championship relevance. With Hall of Fame weekend drawing legends and fans from around the league, eyes will be on Detroit to see how head coach Dan Campbell’s retooled roster sets the tone for what could be a defining season in Lions history. The Lions are no longer the punchline of the NFL—they’re the protagonists of one of the league’s most compelling stories. Fresh off a resurgent 2024 campaign that saw them within reach of a Super Bowl berth before losing to the Washingto...

  Photo Courtesy of Davenport University Athletics By Nate McCray Since taking the reins in 2017 and guiding Davenport University through its inaugural season of NCAA Division II and GLIAC competition, Head Coach Sparky McEwen has transformed the Panthers into a formidable force in Midwest college football. What began as a daunting challenge—building a program from the ground up in one of the nation's most competitive Division II conferences—has evolved into a story of consistent growth, resilience, and competitive excellence. Under McEwen’s leadership, Davenport has not only earned respect across the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and nationally, but has also developed a culture rooted in discipline, player development, and a commitment to winning.    While we reflected on the 2025 spring ball campaign, Coach McEwen was quick to emphasize its importance in laying the foundation for both immediate and long-term success. “You know how we operate here, c...

Photo Courtesy of Butler University Athletics   By Nate McCray A month has passed since the last whistle blew at spring practice, but for Butler University’s defensive coordinator Jordan Belfiori, the real grind is just beginning. The quiet hum of the offseason is deceptive—beneath it lies a frenzy of high school recruiting visits, transfer portal evaluations, coaching staff meetings, coaching clinic schedules, and a relentless pursuit of competitive edge. Belfiori, ever the tactician, finds himself in the eye of a whirlwind that never quite settles, where days blur into film sessions, phone calls, and chalkboard strategy. It’s here, in this organized chaos, that the next season’s foundation is laid—not under stadium lights, but in the subtle, unseen battles of preparation. Jordan Belfiori’s transition to Butler University as the new defensive coordinator marks a pivotal move in his coaching career. Leaving behind his post at Colgate University, where he steadily climbed the rank...

  Photo Courtesy of James D. Smith / Dallas Cowboys By Nate McCray As the Dallas Cowboys dive into the 2025 offseason program, a narrative of renewed strength and strategic recalibration takes center stage. With fresh draft talent, veteran acquisitions, and lingering player injury concerns, the Cowboys have crafted one of the NFL’s most intriguing storylines heading into the new season. Quarterback Dak Prescott enters the 2025 offseason fully healthy, a welcome development after a hamstring injury disrupted his 2024 campaign. At full participation in OTAs, Prescott has already begun syncing with an upgraded receiving corps, including the headline addition of George Pickens. The former Steelers receiver joins CeeDee Lamb to form a potentially explosive tandem—a move Prescott hailed as adding “juice” to Dallas’ deep threat game. On the ground, the running back room is a crucible of competition. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders return as seasoned veterans, but fifth-round rookie...

  Photo Courtesy of Steve Woltman By Nate McCray It’s not often you have the opportunity to meet someone who has made it to the Super Bowl six times in their pro football career.   However, I had the good fortune to connect with former Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Don Beebe to talk ball, philosophies, culture, family and faith.   When Don Beebe was named head football coach at Division III Aurora University in 2019, he brought more than just a Super Bowl ring and nine years of NFL experience to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference—he carried with him a philosophy rooted in something far deeper than X’s and O’s. A champion with the Green Bay Packers and a relentless competitor best known for his never-quit mindset in four Super Bowl appearances alone with the Buffalo Bills, Coach Beebe returned to the sidelines with a mission to mold young men of substance, not just skill. In those early days at Aurora, as he began to build a program that wou...