ATLANTA - Savannah State's football program needs a revival, and Richard Basil is ready to preach.<br>
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Working on a streak of 15 straight losses, including an 0-12 mark last season, Savannah State is beginning its first full season with Basil, who headed the program for the final seven games in 2003.<br>
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Despite all the losses, team morale hasn't been a problem, Basil said.<br>
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``They bought into what I was preaching,'' he said. ``Everybody wants to win.''<br>
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Basil part preacher, part coach, part salesman talks a good game. His enthusiasm is obvious and is important for a success-starved team.<br>
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Basil said the key will be to snap the team's losing streak early in the season.<br>
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``I feel losing is a cancer and will run through you,'' he said. ``Losing causes you to quit and be tired, like cancer. You don't see hope.<br>
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``I preach 'Get rid of that cancer. Deny that cancer.' We have to learn to fight to the end and not let a mistake get you down.''<br>
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In spring practice, Basil challenged every player and moved some to different positions.<br>
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``We moved big receivers to tight end, running backs to linebacker, a few defensive backs to wide receiver and even defensive linemen over to tight end,'' Basil said.<br>
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``We're trying to make sure we've got our best athletes on the field. Sometimes last year our best athlete was a backup at a position. We don't need that.''<br>
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In his playing career as a quarterback, Basil led Savannah State to a combined record of 15-4 in 1988-89, when the Tigers competed in Division II. Basil says the school's transition to I-AA ``has been tough for us.''<br>
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``It's definitely been a learning experience, moving up,'' he said.<br>
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Basil was an assistant coach before he was promoted last season to succeed Ken Pettiford, whose 1-14 record included a 2002 victory over Morris Brown, which disbanded its football program after that season.<br>
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Basil knew the challenge was significant.<br>
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``We needed help in every area,'' he said. ``We needed speed and strength.''<br>
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The Tigers have 15 returning starters, but none returned with guarantees they would retain their jobs.<br>
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``My approach is the best man wins the job,'' Basil said. ``It's who learns the assignments and who completes the assignments.''<br>
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Two former Savannah State assistant coaches who were involved with winning teams have returned to work under Basil. Edwin Bailey, who was a member of the 1992 staff when Savannah State made its only appearance in the NCAA playoffs, is back as offensive line coach. C. Tony High, who last worked on the 1996 team that finished 6-5, has returned to coach linebackers.<br>
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Basil said Bailey is a ``home guy from Savannah who is going to help us keep some of the best athletes from leaving town.''<br>
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Savannah State's 2003 season began with a 62-12 loss to Bethune-Cookman and ended with a 48-13 loss to Hampton. The Tigers played close only in a 7-3 loss to Norfolk State and a 34-28 loss to Edward Waters College.<br>
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Savannah State quarterbacks threw 25 interceptions and only nine touchdown passes last year. A new starter either freshman Zachary Wilson or junior college transfer Marquis Ingram will lean on the experience of returning running backs Myshun McAlpine and Akeeno Mitchell.<br>
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The top returning players on defense are linebacker Jason Comier and defensive back John Fawaz. Freshman LaNicholas Butler and junior college transfer Jerimiah Verdin are expected to play immediately on the defensive line.<br>
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``We have to bring new blood in to get the cancer out,'' Basil said. ``I think we were able to solidify the foundation in the spring.''
