PEAVEY NAMED NEW SBU FOOTBALL COACHFORMER NFL PLAYER BRINGS EXPERIENCE TO SBU

BOLIVAR, MO. ... The roar of the Bearcats is coming back at Southwest Baptist with a new era on the rise in football. SBU has hired Jack Peavey as the sixth head football coach in the history of the program.

“There are no expectations but championships in our program. We want to fight for championships here and get to the national play-offs to play for a national championship,’ Peavey says.

Bringing toughness to SBU, Peavey played two years in the National Football League. From 1985 through 1987, he played for the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Bestowing an honor that only a select few NFL players receive, he won a NCAA National Championship at Troy State in 1984 and then was a member of a team that played in Super Bowl XXII for the Broncos.

“There are a couple of things that sold me on Southwest Baptist. First of all, it is a community of Christian believers. I know how impor-tant that is in my life and that makes me a stronger person. I have been given a leadership role but I have a community that will sup-port me and lift me up. I felt that the community was very tight,’ says Peavey. “I think the athletic director is an excellent man with high character and I feel the same about the president. Most importantly, I was excited about the players. Until the team meeting during my interview, my decision was not made. At the team meeting I realized that I have something those players are looking for. I feel like God has brought us here and brought all of us together.’

Peavey and his wife Rachael have two sons and one daughter. The oldest son is Kolt (12) followed by their daughter Peyton Rose (10). Rafe is the youngest at nine years old. In looking for a place to raise their children, Bolivar was a very attractive place for their children.

“First and foremost, it was a family decision that we made sure that Bolivar was a city that we wanted to raise our children in. As a good, Christian city and a university, we wanted a place that shares the same values of me and my family. This was most important to us,’ says Peavey. “I strongly believe that I would have an impact, football wise, no matter where I landed. We wanted an opportunity to come where we could raise our children. That was a major part in our decision.’

“I want to thank the search committee and all of those involved in the interview process for the selection of our new head football coach. A lot of man hours and prayers have gone into this search,’ says Director of Athletics Brent Good. “I feel that God has placed this per-son we need to take over the helm. I know our players are excited and look forward to getting to know Coach Peavey and his staff. There are a majority of athletes planning on staying in Bolivar this summer and I am sure they plan on working out and getting acquaint-ed with the new staff.’

Peavey played his collegiate football at Troy State University from 1983 through 1985. The 1984 season was his finest at TSU as he was named a NSCA all-American at offensive tackle and helped guide his team to a NCAA Division II National Championship. TSU also won the Gulf South Conference that year and Peavey was named an all-GSC First-Team player at offensive tackle. In the 1984 and 1985 seasons, the TSU offense finished third in the nation in rushing. He graduated from Jacksonville State in 1988 with a degree in political science and history.

“I think God is good and provides a lot of opportunities. He has provided a lot of good and bad opportunities for me. In each opportu-nity I have tried to learn and take something from it that he intended to teach me. I have been humbled on both the good and bad side of football,’ says Peavey.

Coming to SBU from Millsaps College, Peavey has spent the last year as the offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for the Majors. Prior to the new staff at Millsaps this past season, the Majors went 4-15 in the two previous seasons. In the new staff´s first year, the Majors went 4-5. Peavey´s rushing offense finished second in the SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) and his offensive line only gave up 16 sacks in nine games. The Majors also had a freshman, Troy Roy, lead the SCAC in rushing, all purpose yards, scoring, and kickoff returns. He averaged 116.2 yards per game rushing (1,046 yards rushing), 162.3 all-purpose yards per game, finished with 10 touchdowns, and averaged 25.0 yards per kickoff return. Setting a presence in Massachusetts, Peavey was the head high school football coach at Bishop Feehan H.S. before moving onto Millsaps. From 2000 through 2003, Peavey guided Bishop Feehan to four straight state championship appearances. In those four straight appearances, Bishop Feehan won three straight championships. They also won four E.A.C. League Championships. Bishop Feehan held the longest winning streak in the state with a 26-game unbeaten streak. In four years, Peavey developed 47 all-confer-ence players.

Taking his first collegiate head coaching job at William Paterson, Peavey spent three years in New Jersey. He compiled a 5-25 record, guided WPU to their first road win in 25 games and their first home victory in three years. In 1998, his offense led the conference in rushing. With recruiting only two classes, he provided seven ECAC all-Star football players, the most in school history, and 14 academic scholarship players.

From 1994 through 1996, Peavey made two stops at NCAA Division I programs. In 1994, he moved to Kingston, Rhode Island, to become the offensive line coach and special teams coach at the University of Rhode Island. In two seasons, he produced four all-Conference offensive linemen. They also only gave up 12 sacks in 205 attempts. Rhode Island also won their first Yankee Conference title in 10 years. In 1996, he left Rhode Island for a short stay at Brown University before he took the job at William Paterson.

Millersville University was where Peavey coached from 1992 through 1994. He had multiple duties at MU as he was the offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, special teams coach, summer camp coordinator, and travel coordinator. He also had several accom-plishments at MU. They won the PSAC title, went 15-5 in two seasons, were ranked twice within the top 20 in the NCAA Division II Poll, and had six all-conference offensive linemen.

Getting a taste of NCAA Division I football for the first time, Peavey was a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas for two sea-sons. In the first season (1990-91), he coached the defensive line and was the special teams coach. In that season, he had a nose tackle named to the all-SWC team. In 1991-92, he was the offensive line coach and kept working with the special teams. Arkansas went to the Independence Bowl that season. He also recruited four players that went on to start for Arkansas.

Peavey finished his undergraduate degree in 1988 from Jacksonville State. He was at JSU for two years where he was the offensive line coach. JSU went 22-3 in those two seasons (1988, 1989) and finished ranked in the top 10 both seasons (5th -1988; 2nd -1989). He also coached six offensive linemen that were named to the all-GSC team.

After playing in the NFL in 1986, Peavey moved to Foxboro High School as an assistant football coach. In his two years at Foxboro, they won two state championships and two league championships. He was also very involved with community events through the New England Patriots Alumni Association.

Good says, “God has truly blessed us with a great, Christian man who loves the Lord, his family, and football. Coach Peavey exhuber-ates excitement and passion in all of those areas. We are pleased to have his wife Rachael and his children Kolt (12), Peyton Rose (10), and Rafe (9) join the SBU athletic family. Coach Peavey is looking forward to working with the returners and will be contacting the new signees.’

Peavey says, “You learn to keep God first and He prepares you everyday. I think that all my experiences combined is what is going to make the leadership difference in this program. I have faced every challenge that you could face as a head coach. There is not one thing that could arise that I have not faced from a player being hurt to discipline problems to defeating the #1 team in the country to play-ing for championships. Each step in my career I have had that interaction. Just knowing how to deal and find answers at a University is a big challenge for a coach and I feel I am ready for that.’

“I want to thank again the people who helped in the interview process; the faculty and staff, local business men and women, SBU foot-ball team, and others who were apart of helping the Peavey family feel that they belong in SBU and Bolivar. I look forward to a great working relationship with Coach Peavey and his staff.’

The Jack Peavey Era will begin in 107 days as the Bearcats open up the 2005 season on August 27 against Harding University at Plaster Stadium.

THE JACK PEAVY EXPERIENCE

- WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH PEAVY -

Chan Gailey, Head Football Coach Georgia Tech “I coached Jack in college and a short time with the Broncos. He is an innovative, sharp young man and will be an excellent coach for years to come.’

Houston Nutt, Head Football Coach University of Arkansas “He has always been a hard worker with a great work ethic. He is a fierce competitor and has a great relationship with the athletes.’

Will Lewis, Director of Pro Personnel Seattle Seahawks “I have worked with him for a number of years. He is a passionate man about his work and is a demanding guy that has a presence about him as a head coach and a leader.’

Guy Morriss, Head Football Coach Baylor University “Jack was very successful at Bishop Feehan High School and I know he has been successful at college football. I don´t think there is a position he can´t coach. He knows how to connect with young people and I think he will do a tremendous job at Southwest Baptist.’

COACHING STOPS FOR PEAVY

HEAD COACH SEASONS TITLES

William Paterson Univ. 1997, 1998, 1999 none

ASSISTANT COACH POSITION SEASONS TITLES

Millsaps College Off. Coordinator 2004 none Brown Univeristy Tight Ends; Special Teams 1996 Univ. of Rhode Island Off. Line; Special Teams 1994, 1995 Yankee Conference Championship Millersville University Off. Line; Special Teams 1992, 1993 PSAC Championship Univ. of Arkansas Gr. Assistant -Off. Line 1991 Independence Bowl Appearance Univ. of Arkansas Gr. Assistant -Def. Line 1990 Jacksonville State Off Line; Special Teams 1988, 1989 2 Gulf South Championships

HIGH SCHOOL POSITION SEASONS TITLES

Bishop Feehan H.S. Head Coach 2000, ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 3 State Championships; 4 League Championships Foxboro H.S. Assistant Coach 1986, 1987 2 State Championships; 2 League Championships

PLAYING STOPS FOR PEAVY

TEAM SEASONS TITLES

Denver Broncos 1986, 1987 Super Bowl XXII Runner-up New England Patriots 1985 Troy State 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 NCAA Division II National Championship; Gulf South Championship

NSCA all-American; all-GSC First-Team Offensive Lineman; Team Captain (1983)

HONORS FOR PEAVY

TEAM SEASONS HONORS

Millsaps College 2004 Running back led SCAC in four categories Bishop Feehan H.S. 2000, ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 47 players all-conference; 26-game unbeaten streak; led state in pass offense William Paterson 1997, ‘98, ‘99 14 players on academic scholarships; 7 all-ECAC players; led ECAC in rushing Rhode Island 1994, 1995 4 all-conference offensive linemen; 12 sacks in 305 attempts Millersville University 1992, 1993 6 all-conference offensive linemen; team ranked in top 20 twice Univ. of Arkansas 1991 Signed 4 players that eventually started for Razorbacks Univ. of Arkansas 1990 all-SWC nose tackle Jacksonville State Univ. 1988, 1989 6 all-GSC offensive linemen; Top ranked rushing offense in GSC; Top 5 national ranking in both seasons