2008 Woodie Awards
Football Coach Resigns
Kyle Kaufman
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Sports
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Shocked. That's how many players and coaches felt when Doug Adkins decided to step down as Humboldt State's head football coach on Nov. 15.
"It was shocking to me," senior wide receiver Richard Perkins said. "I was surprised to hear it."
Offensive line coach Jason White said, "I was a little bit shocked. That wasn't where I expected the conversation to go."
Right guard Bryant "Trout" Kendall said, "I was just stunned. He was a great guy."
Despite the shock factor, Kendall said it was best that Adkins' resignation came sooner rather than later. "This way we can have all of spring to work with the new coach," Kendall said. "That's better than having three weeks to prepare for games."
Humboldt State Athletic Director Dan Collen called Adkins' resignation a "mutual decision," and said, "it was time for a change" at the head coaching position.
"He spent 12 years giving to HSU," Collen said, "with the best interests of student athletes in mind." Perhaps Adkins had the best interests of the football players in mind when he made the decision to resign sooner rather than later.
"A lot of players don't know it, but he had a soft spot for them in his heart," White said. "He tried to treat them the best that he could."
Adkins' quick decision to resign allows the football program time to prepare for next season. The 'Jacks will return to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, which disbanded following the 2005 season. For the last two seasons, the team competed as a Division II independent.
The resignation also gives players time to make some changes for next season.
"Basically our team needs to improve on being a team," defensive end Justin Rose said.
Perkins said a weakness with this year's team was cohesiveness, and that the guys need to play together more. Other issues need to be addressed as well.
"We need a coach to come in here and harp on dedication and discipline," right tackle Adam Fountain said. "There needs to be a change of attitude around here."
"It was shocking to me," senior wide receiver Richard Perkins said. "I was surprised to hear it."
Offensive line coach Jason White said, "I was a little bit shocked. That wasn't where I expected the conversation to go."
Right guard Bryant "Trout" Kendall said, "I was just stunned. He was a great guy."
Despite the shock factor, Kendall said it was best that Adkins' resignation came sooner rather than later. "This way we can have all of spring to work with the new coach," Kendall said. "That's better than having three weeks to prepare for games."
Humboldt State Athletic Director Dan Collen called Adkins' resignation a "mutual decision," and said, "it was time for a change" at the head coaching position.
"He spent 12 years giving to HSU," Collen said, "with the best interests of student athletes in mind." Perhaps Adkins had the best interests of the football players in mind when he made the decision to resign sooner rather than later.
"A lot of players don't know it, but he had a soft spot for them in his heart," White said. "He tried to treat them the best that he could."
Adkins' quick decision to resign allows the football program time to prepare for next season. The 'Jacks will return to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, which disbanded following the 2005 season. For the last two seasons, the team competed as a Division II independent.
The resignation also gives players time to make some changes for next season.
"Basically our team needs to improve on being a team," defensive end Justin Rose said.
Perkins said a weakness with this year's team was cohesiveness, and that the guys need to play together more. Other issues need to be addressed as well.
"We need a coach to come in here and harp on dedication and discipline," right tackle Adam Fountain said. "There needs to be a change of attitude around here."
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