WESSON – Although he hasn’t officially moved into his office andsecured the Copiah-Lincoln Community College football field houseas his home away from home yet. New Co-Lin football general GlennDavis has silently put together a new coaching staff and formed anew image for the 2004 Co-Lin Wolves.

“I and my staff have been working hard to put everythingtogether for us next season.” said Davis who currently travels backand forth from his old office in Starkville to his new one inWesson. “We had a good spring and we had a solid freshman signingclass. But we still have a long ways to go.”

Davis and the Wolves ended spring training last week and he wasimpressed by how his new team improved to his way of doing things.The former running backs coach at Mississippi State saw some goodsigns from his new team.

“The sophomores that participated adapted really well to a lotof new things,” added Davis. “The attitude was good and the playersresponded and improved. The biggest improvement I saw was ourtoughness.”

Although Davis isn’t officially under contract until July 1, hehas assembled a coaching staff ready and willing to put Co-Linfootball back on top.

“I’ve brought in three guys to help me out that I feel will begood for us and our program.” Continued Davis.

The three new coaches helping Davis are Brett Shufelt, ChrisTolbert and Shelton Gandy. Calvin Green will stay on staff for his11th year, as defensive backs coach. He will also help recruit.

Shufelt will serve as defensive coordinator on the new staff. Hecomes to Co-Lin from Starkville as a assistant to Davis.

Tolbert, who has coached in the Virginia high school ranks, willserve as part-time defensive line coach for the Wolves. Gandy, whorecently served under Jeff Bower at USM, will be called on toassist Davis as quarterbacks and running backs coach. Davis isexpected to call his own offensive plays.

“Right now I feel good with what we have on and off the field,”added Davis. “I still plan on signing a few more prospects thissummer.”

Co-Lin signed 25 freshmen this spring with five of those beingout of state players. Under NJCAA rules, a program can only signeight out of state players a year.

“We still can sign three more, if we want to.” continued Davis.”I expect us to have a pretty good nucleus by the time we startpractice in early August. Signing some more athletes wouldn’thurt.”

Currently the lone returning quarterback on the Co-Lin roster isBrian Hayes of Magee. Hayes is recovering from ACL surgery he hadafter last season. Right now Davis hopes Hayes will be able tocontribute.

“I feel we will be all right at quarterback,” said Davis. “Brianstill has two more months of rehab left, so hopefully he’ll be ableto return at full speed.”

Another position Davis pointed to was at kicker. Davis signedtwo specialists at the position in seniors Nick Gunter of Wessonand Chris Blackwell of Franklin County. He expects both to competefor the top spot.

“I expect both of them to compete for the starting job,” saidDavis. “I also expect Chris or Nick to help us at the puntingposition as well.”

Davis expects 20 to 25 of his sophomores to return next season.About 30 freshmen will also be on the Wolves roster.

“It’s up in the air on how many we return with grades and such,”added Davis. “Hopefully, a majority of them will be able to comeback.”

Between now and then Davis is getting everything together. He’salready ordered new helmets for the team. He has set high goals for2004 and the future. A future that starts on Sept. 2, at HolmesCommunity College when the Wolves debut.