Southern announced the hire of Eric Dooley on December 7th, 2021 after Dooley led Prairie View A&M to the SWAC Championship against Jackson State. The Jaguars were voted preseason favorites in the West division at SWAC Media Day two weeks ago in Birmingham, AL. Southern received 11 first place votes, which was second most in the conference behind defending SWAC champions Jackson State.
The SWAC has released the 2022 Preseason Conference Poll & the 2022 SWAC Preseason Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ip8yUdkmK6
— FCS Football Central (@The__Bluebloods) July 21, 2022
Coach Eric Dooley spoke with Zach McKinnell of The Bluebloods at SWAC Media Day and had this to say about the high expectations for the Jaguars this season:
” I think it goes hand and hand because I do hear a lot of folks throw around expectations, but what about Coach Dooley’s expectations? My expectations are very high so I think it compares to each other and goes hand in hand with one another. I do have high expectations regardless of what I have or who I have… I feel that I can win and that is what we want to do as a team. I feel like I surround myself with some great coaches because I can’t do this by myself and that is what it is all about.”
Dooley also spoke on the quarterback battle this offseason for the Jaguars and what he wants in a signal caller:
“I’m looking for a guy who can win the game. I don’t need a guy who can manage the game; I can manage the game from the sideline. I think those guys are in heavy competition right now. They’re doing a great job and they understand what needs to be done.”
Southern has brought in multiple quarterbacks this offseason including BeSean McCray (Hines CC), Chris Tucker (Madison HS), and Noah Bodden (Grambling State). Glendon McDaniel also returns after seeing action last season for the Jaguars at the quarterback spot.
Southern opens the 2022 season against Florida Memorial in the Pete Richardson Classic on September 3rd before facing LSU in Week 2 in Death Valley. Our full interview with Southern head coach Eric Dooley can be found below.