COLEMAN, STAFF USE OPEN WEEK TO REEVALUATE

By Josh Tinker/Commercial Sports Editor

Monte Coleman is taking a look in the mirror. After his football team started the season with an 0-5 record this season, Coleman, the coach of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, used his team’s bye week to reevaluate the things that were being done by him and his coaching staff.

“This week was valuable to us as coaches,” said Coleman of his team’s open week, “to analyze ourselves and analyze some of the calls that we’ve made ... We have a new perspective on ourselves and some of the teams we’ve played.”

Coleman said his coaching staff also used the free time to go on recruiting trips. Some coaches traveled to the Dallas area, while others stayed within the state looking for prospective players.

New practice location

After the Golden Lions have been bounced around looking for a place the practice the last few weeks, the team finally has a permanent practice home. After practicing on the game field and at Dollarway Junior High, the Golden Lions now have a brand new practice field adjacent to Golden Lion Stadium.

The project, which was several weeks behind schedule, has a sand base and a strong drainage system. After downpours nearly flooded the area Monday night, the Golden Lions’ practice facility was bone dry by practice Tuesday afternoon.

“When I heard the downpour Monday evening, I was concerned about the field,” Coleman said. “(When the team came out to practice) there wasn’t a drop on it. I’m very pleased with it ... It beats having to drive across to the junior high school. All the players appreciate it ... When they built this field, they built it in mind of the game field, so there’s a lot of similarities as far as drainage and stuff.”

Moore improving

After struggling to start the season, UAPB quarterback Jonathan Moore has been improving the last few weeks. After injuring his thumb in UAPB’s first game of the season, a loss to Arkansas-Monticello, Moore has struggled to mount much consistency in the passing game and was even pulled because of his poor play in a loss to Alcorn State. After that game, Coleman opened up the quarterback competition with Moore and redshirt freshman Gvona Turner.

Moore won the job again, and Coleman said he’s been playing better. Moore has more zip on his passes in practice, and even though he reinjured the thumb against Alabama A&M, Coleman has been pleased with Moore’s performance in practice the past two weeks.

“He took the tape off his thumb,” said Coleman of Moore’s play in practice. “Anytime you have that tape, it gets a little wet and it become slick. When you squeeze the ball with that slick tape, it causes bad throws.

Injury report

Though the season is almost half over, the Golden Lions have been fortunate to not have too many serious injuries.

One injury UAPB does have is to offensive lineman Jason Thomas. A starter at left tackle, Thomas has been bothered with a hand injury. At practice Wednesday, Thomas had a big club on his hand. Coleman said Evan Webber is filling in for Thomas at left tackle.

“Linemen hold, and he can’t hold with that thing on there,” Coleman said. “He’s not bad with, it’s just awkward.

“We’re limited with him out there, and he know that. His play is limited. If we need Jason, we can put him in.”