Higgins does more shuffling of quarterbacks before Truman game
By Jesse Newell
Friday, October 26, 2007
The surprises just keep coming with Emporia State coach Garin Higgins and his quarterback shuffle this week.
On Monday, Higgins announced Eric Runge, who played wide receiver last week, would start at quarterback for the Hornets this weekend.
On Thursday, Higgins dropped perhaps a bigger bomb — this week’s backup QB was a part of the coaching staff just seven days ago.
Jerrod Sparling, who went from quarterback to receiver to student assistant this season, has turned in his clipboard and will suit up as Runge’s backup under center in Saturday’s game against Truman.
“He’s kind of our emergency quarterback,” Higgins said. “Jerrod has had some shoulder problems since he’s been here. The thing with Jerrod is you wouldn’t notice he’s had any shoulder problems.
“He’s done well in practice this week. He’s going to do what we ask of him.”
Sparling decided in Week Four to become a student assistant after being bothered by shoulder problems while trying to help the team at wide receiver.
He approached Higgins earlier this week with the idea of returning to a backup quarterback role, telling the head coach that there was no risk of further injury to his shoulder.
In another surprise move, last week’s backup quarterback Ben Purkeypile was not put on the team’s travel roster this weekend.
“We just decided to go a different direction at quarterback,” Higgins said. “That was just kind of a coaching staff decision we all felt comfortable with to give some other guys some other opportunities.
“Sometimes you have to make tough decisions. This was a decision, as a staff, we felt like we had to make.”
Though Runge is making his first start at quarterback, Higgins said ESU’s offense shouldn’t be limited too much.
“He prepares himself and has done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Higgins said. “I think the players feel comfortable with him. We feel confident.”
ESU will probably be most limited in its ability to throw deep passes, though those plays will remain in the playbook. Higgins said the offense would also rely less on the option running plays used when Andre Sloan El was healthy.
Higgins said the Hornets’ offensive gameplan against Truman would be to sustain drives, take time off the clock and limit turnovers.
Runge will get the chance to accomplish those things on Saturday.
“He’s excited,” Higgins said. “He’s waited for this moment for a long time.”
estatealum (anonymous) says...
is this a joke?
October 26, 2007 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Ben still on the team?
October 26, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
footballeyes (anonymous) says...
Wow, looks like I missed alot this week. Coach Higgins continues to show his intellect to the football world. I have never seen a coaching staff like this- not only is he an incompetent arrogant ass with no real regard for his players, he is the biggest joke in college football and has turned ESU into that as well. He should be fired or the school should release all players so they could go play elsewhere.
October 27, 2007 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth (anonymous) says...
Hey football eyes - The Hornets are up 21-7 at the half at Truman and Runge has two TD passes. What is your problem with Coach Higgins?
October 27, 2007 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
playersfan (anonymous) says...
First of all, coach Higgins and his staff should applogize to all players for giving up this game, the boys deserve better than that. Have you ever heard of a COLLEGE football coach just giving up 20 seconds of regulation time on the clock then went in overtime. He should want to score and be aggressive like he expects his team to be? Secondly, the aggression that is displayed on this coaching staff is soley through tearing the moral of these players down through the staffs act of disrespect and profane fowl language repeatly over and over. ESU football players are team players and would never say anything to hurt the team because they have dignity, but as a parent, enough is enough. Lastly, maybe Higgins and his staff should look at the tapes and evaluate their coaching grade, the A.D did the right thing and fired the last coach, now it's time to fire this coach and his idiot staff. Next week is "Senior Day" Show repect to these seniors, as they have taken your crap, and be a team.
October 28, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
Higgins "free" honeymoon pass is still in play for now and it shows. Ok, he needs to get his "own" players like any new coach but the El Sloans, Meades, Greens, etc. do not instill much confidence in his ability to get MIAA quality players. And....he can't blame former ESU coaches for these players since they are his recruits. This unfortunate situation in ESU football is not all on Higgins and staff......it is the result of 4 years of Admin. neglect and based on who Higgins attracts in the coming months will tell whether the hornets should be renamed "Rolla" or "the baptists" as annual MIAA cellar dewellers. For President Lane....i fail to see how this program in its' current state benefits anyone connected to ESU and you are the only person with the authority to fix it now.
October 29, 2007 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
Give him the 4 years due to him . Once all players in this program are from his recruiting staff , then begin to judge . I played with him and I have confidence he will live up to his
part of his responsibility to bring a winning team to Emporia State U. Please remember that in football you need to be 2 deep in each position. I propose doing a little travel camp in the Midwest . This is what KU , K-State , South Florida other programs who are building their programs up are doing. Travel to different areas like , Wichita, Topeka , Kansas City , St. Louis , Chicago(my home town) , and offer one day camps where you charge maybe $10-$25 per kid . You take their weight , height , test their 40 yard dash time , Shuttle run time , Vertical jump time and teach some drills at each position. From these camps you might pick up 2-3 impact players that no one else knows about. There are thousands of players who have the talent to become outstanding players for schools like Emporia State, but they never get a chance because of recruiting budgets. I have some friends and relatives who are coaching at 2 year and 4 year programs that will offer a scholarship to a player who has never played High school football or basketball . They will look AAU game tapes or they will hold tryouts . One kid I grew up with never played high school football but ran a legit 4.4 in the 40 yard dash and he got a full ride to Western Illinois University .
He will have depth at each position just give him a CHANCE and TIME !!!!
October 29, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
Bigearl2,
It does not take 4 years at division II.....maybe division I but not D-2. Northwest Mo., Mo. Southern, and Washburn turned it in 2-3 years with admin support. So did Truman State in coach Currier 3rd year and they use to be awful. I do not know for sure if Higgins and crew are any good at college coaching in the MIAA but i believe we will start to find out this recruiting year and won't have to wait 4 years to find out. Your idea on a road tour is great if AD Weiser and Pres Lane come up with the money for the program.
October 29, 2007 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
Sorry,it can take 2 years if you bring in a lot of Junior College Players. In 1986 Washburn brought in over 26 Juco players from all over .
October 29, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
bigearl2,
Back in the day coach Kramer turned it in 2 years...1984 ESU was 3-7 and President Glennen came to the table with additional scholarship dollars, operations budget enhancement and additional coaching position, 1985 6-4, and then 8-2 in 1986. Northwest mo. went from 0-11 to 6-5 tp 10-1.
October 29, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
I played in 87 & 88 Majic words Scholarship $$$$$$$$$$$
October 29, 2007 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
playersfan (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
October 29, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
October 29, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink )