Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.Seconds after Danny Woodhead scored in Sunday's Super Bowl, Chadron State Athletic Director Brad Smith's cell phone started lighting up.
Smith got a blast of text messages after the former Eagles star caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from New England quarterback Tom Brady that put the Patriots ahead 10-9. The New York Giants rallied for a 21-17 victory.
"It just broke my heart they lost,'' Smith said. "He is an amazing young man. To be put on that stage and do so well is a testament to him.''
Woodhead's success in the NFL is no surprise to Smith, who said Woodhead has a special quality.
"When he makes up his mind to do something, he's going to do it, whether it's golf or playing horse,'' Smith said.
Woodhead's touchdown was the third in the Super Bowl by a former Eagle. Don Beebe, who played for the Bills and Packers, scored twice, giving Chadron the same number as Division I programs such as Florida State, Georgia, Penn State and USC.
Smith laughed when asked about Woodhead's long locks. Smith said most people would picture the two-time Harlon Hill winner with a short haircut, but said he's a free spirit.
"He's Danny, that's what makes you love him so much,'' Smith said. "He's not concerned about anything but being successful and playing hard.''
Chadron State hires former player as coach
Woodhead's alma mater named its new head football coach on Monday.
Chadron State hired Jay Long for the position. He replaces Bill O'Boyle, who did not have his contract renewed.
Long, 35, was the head coach at Black Hills State. He graduated from Chadron State in 2001 and was a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection at center. He also wrestled at heavyweight and qualified for the national tournament for the Eagles.
"We feel the search has enabled Chadron State College's football program to move forward with an exceptional coach, family man and leader," Smith said. "As a football player, Jay's intensity and love for the game was unbelievable and these characteristics have carried over into his coaching career. We're happy to have a coach of his caliber at Chadron State."
For Long, a native of Sturgis, S.D., returning to his alma mater was an easy choice.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity to coach where I played," he said. "When I was in the interview, I sat down in front of my old locker and it just felt right. When I had questions asked of me in regards to the program, it just felt right. The tradition at Chadron State speaks for itself. I've been part of three RMAC championships as a player and now I'm excited for the opportunity to coach and try to win them."
UNK coach says D-II players can move on
Woodhead's performance Sunday was a great advertisement for playing football at the state college level, University of Nebraska at Kearney coach Darrell Morris said.
Woodhead got a shot in the NFL, as did UNK's Mason Brodine, because of their performances in college, Morris said. Woodhead has played for the Jets and Patriots, while Brodine is on the Oakland Raiders' roster.
"There is something to be said about playing on Saturday and having a career,'' Morris said.
Morris isn't too happy about the impact Nebraska's walk-on program is having on the Division II programs in the area. Those walk-ons are players who could be competing every week for UNK, Chadron, Wayne or Northwest Missouri State, Morris said.
Grand Island quarterback Ryker Fyfe chose the Huskers over UNK and Gretna fullback Andy Janovich changed his commitment from the Lopers to NU. That prompted Morris to tell the Kearney Hub:
"They're our biggest competitor, and that should scare them. How they think they're going to win the Big Ten recruiting the same guys I am, I have no clue," Morris said.
Morris didn't get any feedback from Nebraska coaches, but got lots of positive comments locally.
"They thought it was a good point,'' Morris said. "There are a lot of Nebraska fans out here and they are kind of wondering the same thing.''
Morris said he understands that most boys grow up wanting to play for the Huskers. He said former NU assistant Milt Tenopir once told him: "We're not going anywhere, Darrell, so get used to it.''
The Lopers signed three other quarterbacks: Sam Brauer of Seward, Neb.; Sean Flanagan, the brother of starting H-back Tommy Flanagan; and junior college transfer Sam Hutsell, who Morris said is very similar to Jake Spitzlberger, a four-year starter at Kearney and a Harlon Hill finalist.
Updates
• The Northwest Missouri State men's basketball team has earned a berth in the MIAA postseason tournament for the first time in three years. The Bearcats are 17-3 and 11-3 in the MIAA.
• The Chadron State men's basketball team (8-13, 8-9) has won six of its past eight games.
• Bellevue men's coach Shane Paben picked up his 100th career victory in the Bruins' 75-67 win over Haskell Indian Nations on Saturday. Paben, in his fourth season at Bellevue, has a career record of 100-28. He's 39-8 in the MCAC.
• Doane College will dedicate its new court on Feb. 18 in honor of the late Bob Erickson, a former men's basketball coach and athletic director for the Tigers.
• Porter Birtell has joined Concordia University's 1,000-point club. The junior post player from Madison, Neb., is averaging 18.1 points a game.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com
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