For ASU Football Alums, New Head Coach is Welcomed Change

OPINION-- Angelo State University announced on Sunday night that they relieved head football coach Will Wagner of his duties.

The announcement came on the heels of a three game winning streak for the Rams. In fact, athletic director James Reid talked to coach Wagner after the Rams’ 34-17 win over Eastern New Mexico University this past Saturday, according to an Angelo State Athletics press release.

Wagner was the Rams’ head coach for eight years and had a 48-40 record at Angelo State. Defensive coordinator Jeff Girsch was named Wagner’s successor.

I played under both Girsch and Wagner from 2013 to 2015.

During that time, great memories were made under Wagner’s leadership. We won the 2014 Lone Star Conference Playoff Championship and made the program’s first playoff appearance since 2005 that same year. For a lower middle class kid from southeast Texas, a trip to snow-covered Houghton, MI, never would’ve happened had it not been for coach Wagner.

As an alumnus of the ASU football program, I thank coach Wagner. I thank coach Wagner for taking a chance on a snot-nosed 19-year-old like me back in 2013. I thank him for his guidance during my time at ASU and showing me there’s more than football in life. Lastly, I thank him for those memories over the course of my three seasons in the program.

You’ll easily find more alums with that same line of thought. Wagner and his staff took us in and believed in us when some coaches may not have even given us the time of day.

As an alumnus, I, as well as many of my teammates, also want to see ASU back at the top of the national football picture.

That’s why the change is welcomed by former players. Any athlete at a competitive level has heard a coach say their job depends on wins and losses as well as relevance, challenging for a top spot in their conference.

Alums had heard rumblings and rumors of coach Wagner’s job security following a 5-6 season in 2016. Last year’s 6-5 season and trip to the C.H.A.M.P.S Heart of Texas Bowl looked to be a turn in the right direction for the Rams.

But in Division II football, a bowl game is a glorified participation trophy.

Meanwhile, in Commerce, Angelo State grad and former Ram football player Colby Carthel was putting the finishing touches on his east Texas dynasty with their third LSC championship in a row. The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions won the national championship that year.

We were competitive with Commerce during my time at ASU. Despite a 2-3 record against Commerce in my time with the Rams, we still outscored the Lions 170-168. One of our two wins against Commerce was in the LSC Tournament Championship to go to the playoffs in 2014.

After my senior class, the class of 2016, left, however, that competitiveness dropped. The Rams have been outscored by Commerce in two games -- both losses -- by a combined score of 96-34.

Carthel was hired in 2013. It took him just four seasons to win a national title. Meanwhile, we had just the now-defunct LSC Playoff championship and an NCAA playoff appearance to hang our hats on.

Now, our most bitter rival Tarleton figured out a way to win the conference over Commerce. That was done with the return of their winningest coach Todd Whitten.

That brings me to coach Girsch.

Girsch came to San Angelo in 2014 and made an immediate impact as our defensive coordinator. He was able to rally his players behind him as soon as he stepped on campus in the spring of 2014.

The defense was able to play freely. That translated to 25 takeaways in his first year and the LSC Tournament Championship.

His defense has consistently been at the top of the LSC because of that mentality.

Under his direction, my best friend Clayton Callicutt broke the career sack record in 2015. This year, Markus Jones broke that record.

Because of what Girsch has done at ASU, the alums I have spoken to support the move to promote Girsch. What that move also does is create a smooth transition. Players are familiar with coach Girsch and will understand what he wants to do.

The Rams begin the Girsch era this Saturday at Texas A&M-Commerce.