Clark Atlanta looks ahead

ATLANTA - Tayrone Odums believes the Clark Atlanta football program has nothing to lose.<br> <br> Days before the start of summer practice, Odums was promoted to the interim head coach in place of Tracy Ham, who was fired earlier this month after posting a 2-20 record in two years with the Panthers.<br> <br> ``I always wanted to be a head coach but I didn&#39;t picture it to come under these circumstances,&#39;&#39; Odums said. ``I learned a lot from coach Ham.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Odums joined Ham in 2002 as the defensive coordinator to help rebuild a woeful football program that has not had a winning season since 1991.<br> <br> The process was delayed by injuries and disciplinary actions against some players, which hurt the Panthers&#39; depth. By the end of last season, they finished with a mere 39 players on the roster.<br> <br> As interim head coach, Odums will run the same defensive and offensive scheme implemented by Ham. He wants to add more aggression to a Clark Atlanta team that finished last season 0-11, 0-8 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.<br> <br> ``We came here with the goals and aspirations of turning around a football program,&#39;&#39; said Odums, who was the linebackers coach at Georgia Southern in 2001.<br> <br> The Panthers begin their first four games on the road. Odums said in order for his team to overcome the rough early-season schedule, they will need to be disciplined.<br> <br> ``Good football teams understand how to play when not at home,&#39;&#39; Odums said. ``Whether at home or away, football is played the same way.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Odums&#39; main focus is to have a positive attitude.<br> <br> ``Our tempo is going to be increasingly high every day,&#39;&#39; Odums said. ``The work ethic for the coaching staff will transcend down to the players.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Senior offensive lineman Kalef Lewis said Odums adds an upbeat attitude to the team, which had a laid-back mentality under Ham.<br> <br> ``Coach Odums expects a whole lot more,&#39;&#39; Lewis said. ``He&#39;s a different type of coach. More fired up, in your face, a high tempo kind of guy.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Panthers ranked second in the SIAC with an average of 230 yards rushing per game, but averaged 16.3 points.<br> <br> Junior quarterback Adrian Johnson, who was the fifth-leading rusher in the conference, and backup Dominique Brown will provide experience for a Panther squad that has only three seniors. Wingbacks Terrance Smith, Tony Mathis and fullback Brandon Kaigler also will help educate the newcomers.<br> <br> ``The older guys will allow the young players to cling to them and show them the right way,&#39;&#39; Odums said.<br> <br> The passing game has been a problem. The Panthers completed 30 passes for 607 yards last season, but Odums said that is an area targeted for improvement in this year.<br> <br> ``We are going to take the same system coach Ham built but have it run smoother to give us the best chance to win,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> The Panthers defensive unit allowed 36.1 points per game. Defensive lineman Andrew Shoyoye, who was the only Panther to receive Preseason All-SIAC recognition, will anchor a defense with a group of young talented players. Sophomore linebackers Calvin Pryor and Dontrelle Henry led the team in tackling last season.<br> <br> ``Shoyoye has all the tangibles to be great,&#39;&#39; Odums said. ``This defense has a chance to be a very good one.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Odums believes his team will break its losing ways in 2004.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m trying to instill in my players that they are winners,&#39;&#39; Odums said. ``I expect this to be one bus ride that everyone enjoys.&#39;&#39;