A Conversation With- Associate Head Coach David Harper

Coach David Harper has been a fixture in the Ferrum football program since his playing days. A two time All American, Harper (Class of '87) is one of only two players to have his jersey number retired. Coach Harper is now the offensive coordinator for the Panthers, and I had a chance to ask him about his days at Ferrum, and the upcoming season.

FCFR: Coach Harper, You were a two time All American at Ferrum, and hold several school records. When you look back at your playing days at Ferrum, what is your favorite memory?

Coach Harper: I have many great memories, but the ones that stick out the most are the many long road trips back from games. My teammates and I had many great conversations, along with lots of great laughs and good times. Along those same lines, I will never forget having to bunk four-to-a-room on road trips.

FCFR: Although you were a standout on defense, were there occasions that you scored a touchdown?

Coach Harper: Unfortunately, there were no touchdowns.

FCFR: Many Ferrum players have extended their playing days beyond Ferrum. Did you wrap up your playing career in the Black and Gold, or did you continue to play after graduation?

Coach Harper: I had opportunities to run for a few professional scouts. Unfortunately, my speed was not to their liking. The Arena and the European leagues were just starting, but I realized that I wanted to get started with my coaching career instead of putting life on hold for something that might or might not happen.

FCFR: As your playing experience was centered on defense, how did it happen that you become the offensive coordinator?

Coach Harper: I was named Defensive Coordinator in 1993 and moved to Offensive Coordinator in the summer of 1999. The move came about because we lost our offensive coordinator in July of that summer. Coach Davis and I could not find the right person to fill the job, so I asked him if I could move to offense for one year in order to get us through the season. It's hard to believe that I have been in the position for 10 years!

FCFR: Looking back at this past season, it appeared to me that the team got stronger as it went along. After the Emory and Henry loss, Ferrum reeled off seven straight victories, and ended the season contending for the conference championship. How do you think the returning nucleus of players can build on the lessons of '08, going into the 2009 season?

Coach Harper: The biggest lesson learned from this past season is that each player learned that he must play every play to the best of his abilities in order to win a championship and everyone must execute on offense, defense, and special teams at all times. The players must win their individual battles through the course of the game for the team to have success. The nucleus of our team knows that emphasis on these lessons will take place during spring practice.

FCFR: How do you like the revamped schedule? Will the order of the games change the approach to the season?

Coach Harper: The revamped schedule is not really a concern because it is out of our hands. The order of the games will not change our approach to the season because of the balance that I feel the conference will have next year.

FCFR: Do you see any non-conference schedule changes coming down the road?

Coach Harper: The schedule is completed by Coach Davis.

FCFR: Recruiting is a major focus of any program. How do you think your efforts have gone so far? Can you tell us of any "gems" who will be vying for a spot on the '09 roster?

Coach Harper: I think our recruiting efforts are going very well. We have had some great talent come to campus for visits. Our great, knowledgeable, and experienced coaching staff has done a nice job with recruiting this year. But at this point, it is up to financial aide and the families of the young men to decide whether or not they can come up with the tuition and room and board of $31,000 a year. We will still be recruiting up until August. At this point, we have no true commitments, which in Division III means that they have paid their room deposits.

FCFR: How does the approach to recruiting differ for a D3 non scholarship program like Ferrum, to scholarship based programs?

Coach Harper: Obviously the main difference between recruiting is that Division I has scholarship money and a signing date along with a letter of intent that athletes sign. At the Division III level, we have to wait for the federal aide process to be completed along with institutional packages to be sent out before families know exactly what it may cost. The commitment to a Division III school is when the student-athlete makes a room deposit to the institution which shows that he is committed to attend; however, he can withdraw at anytime without any NCAA rule violation and end up at another college or university. In the Division III recruiting process, we can have more contact with student-athletes, both in person and via the telephone. The recruiting process goes on for a much longer amount of time for the student-athlete during his senior year of high school for the DIII recruit, and the DIII coach has a much larger volume of student-athletes to recruit than DI coaches.

FCFR: Chris Warren and Tunde Ogun (CNU), as I understand it were both Division 1 transfers. We all know of the success that Chris had after Ferrum, and have watched Ogun as he was one of the brightest stars in D3 football this past year. Typically, how does a Ferrum, or a CNU get the attention of a Division 1 athlete? Is this a recruiting effort, or are these contacts generated solely by the player?

Coach Harper: The answer to your question is that it could be both. During recruiting, a coach could hear about a player leaving a DI school; coaches can learn about movement through word of mouth from his players. Most likely though, DI athletes transfer to a school that is closer to their homes.

FCFR: How do you see the USA South shaping up this year? Any dark horse contenders?

Coach Harper: The conference, to the best of my knowledge, is very young in talent. No question, CNU should be the front-runner along with NCW. As for a dark horse, I'd say Shenandoah.

FCFR: Lastly Coach Harper, is there anything that I have not thought to ask that you want to make sure gets out to the Panther faithful?

Coach Harper: I would like to thank you, Allen, for the great support that you have shown over the last year. I hope that with the new positive growth that Dr. Braaten has built on our campus, more alums will be a part of Ferrum Football. I would like everyone to check out the Ferrum Athletic Page and click on the new Norton Athletic Center so they can see the plans for our beautiful new facility. The site also shows how to donate to the facility. Thanks for all your support. Go Panthers!