Note: This is the second of a two-part series previewing the 2010 season

Defense
Since the new head coach has spent the last two years directing the Texan defense, Fowler, who will continue to coach the defensive backs, has handed the coordinator title to linebacker coach Henry Cofer.
Cofer and Fowler are joined on the defensive coaching staff by defensive line coaches Chris Mineo and Don Jones while the rovers will be coached by Jacob Martin. Former Texan letterman Carl Turner returns to help Fowler coach the defensive backs.

Despite a couple of new faces on the staff, fans will not see a change in what has been one of the best defenses in the conference.

“Nothing has changed defensively,” Fowler said. “Not what we will do, not how we will call the game, not how we game plan – nothing will change. I believe we will be very strong defensively, and if we can get the guys to believe in the system, fans will see an aggressive defense on the field every Saturday.”


Secondary
The Texan secondary has one of the best defensive backs in the LSC in Lonnie Buchanan. Buchanan (6-2, 210, sr, Greenville, Miss.), a first team all-LSC South Division member last year, will be joined by second team member Brandon Johnson (5-9, 186, sr, Giddings).

“With Lonnie and Brandon roaming back there, it gives a chance to defend any passing attack in the country,” Fowler said. “I like a guy we have coming by the name of Terrence Henry (6-0, 185, jr, Katy) at weak-side safety that did a great job for us in the spring. However, the guy to watch in the secondary is Dashaun Phillips (5-11, 165, fr, Duncanville). He'll play our field corner as a redshirt freshman. He's got wonderful feet, and I'm really excited about what Dashaun brings to the table.

“We have a guy named Devin McDowell (5-11, 180, sr, Garland) that transferred from Iowa State that will come in and give us some snaps. Sam Cole (5-9, 180, sr, Folsom, Calif.) will be back to play as well. Our secondary is probably the thinnest part of our football team. We have some young kids that I'm going to see what they'll do, but we don't have much depth with big names behind them. It's hard to recruit guys when you have so many starters returning and returning all-conference players, but our top eight will be pretty good. I like what we'll be able to do with them.”


Linebackers
Returning to lead the linebackers is the leading tackler from the 2009 season, Matt Knicky. Knicky (6-1, 218, jr, Cedar Park) recorded 36 solo and 62 assisted tackles for 98 total stops. He tallied nine tackles for a loss of minus-34 yards as a sophomore, including two sacks for minus-21 yards. He also pulled down three interceptions, recovered two fumbles, forced a fumble and had four pass breakups and seven passes defended. And he was just named honorable mention All-LSC South Division.

“Returning for the linebacking corps – Matt Knicky, and Matt Knicky,” Fowler quipped. “The energy he plays with, the belief in himself and the system. Matt is a wonderful player that I thought was the best linebacker in the conference a year ago. Marcus Phillips [the 2009 LSC South Division Linebacker of the Year] was a great player, too. I thought we had the best two linebackers in the conference. We lose Marcus, and it is going to be hard to replace him. However, we have Corey White (6-1, 220, sr, Dallas) stepping in with wonderful talent, but he is untested. We also have Damian Perkins (5-11, 225, jr, Hallsville) who is transferring from Stephen F. Austin. He was a preseason All-American there a couple of years ago. He is in great shape, and we are going to see what he can do to help us here.

“We have some other guys that should play for us, but we are going to have to get them adjusted to the system,” Fowler said.

Another name set to play for the Texans is redshirt freshman Julius Hurndon (5-11, 195, Daingerfield)


Rovers
The Rovers are an extension of the linebacking corps that moves around the football field for the Texans.
Set to play for the Texans at the rover position is Cassius Bradley (5-10, 185, jr, Caldwell) and Blair Johnson (6-0, 195, soph, Mesquite).

“Those two guys will do a great job for us at the rover position,” Fowler said. “There are some other guys we can move to field that spot on our defense. You have to be versatile to player there, and both Cassius and Blair give us some good depth at this position.”


Defensive Line
Possibly the biggest name most fans will recognize on the defensive line returning is Jamaal Steamer (6-2, 252, sr, Temple). The defensive end was granted an extra year from the NCAA, and the senior graduated from Tarleton in August 2010, and he will be working on his master's while playing his final college football season.

“We are excited about Jamaal's leadership,” Fowler said. “His demeanor to graduate from college and then have the discipline to play football while doing grad school is great. He is going to be very productive in society once he leaves here. And anytime you can have a all-conference and all-region player back, it is a nice lick for the Texans.”

Steamer will be joined by letterman Jacob Rowe (6-3, 238, sr, Alvarado) on the defensive line as the only returning starters.

“Jacob is on the AllState Good Works Team from a year ago as one of the Top 12 human beings in college football, and that's really all you have to say about him. He is a winner. He gives you everything he has on every play. He is a great leader, and we are going to build things around Jacob's leadership.”

Joining those two Texans will be several new faces, including Jason Billings (6-3, 290, jr, Nocona) who will flip from the offensive line to the defensive line. Also on the two-deep for the line is Brian Ford (6-2, 285, jr, Houston), Anthony Gonzales (6-5, 250, jr, Copperas Cove), Michael Washington (6-3, 255, jr, Cedar Hill), Daniel Mena (6-1, 325, fr, New Caney) and Logan Johnson (6-1, 220, jr, Brenham).

“Logan is going to be a great addition to our team, and it is needed because we took a hit in the defensive line from last year,” Fowler said. “We will look different because we won't be near as big on the defensive line, but we are offsetting that by adding quickness and strength. Daniel Mena is the strongest football player or powerlifter in the state of Texas history. He bench pressed 530 pounds and squatted 820. He's got great feet and will be a plugger for us. Brian Ford will also add a lot for us. We feel pretty good about the guys we have in the defensive line role. We will play by committee, but I believe we will be effective.”


Special Teams
The 2009 special teams had a very “special” year. Garrett Lindholm nailed important field goals, including a 64-yard NCAA Division II playoff record kick to send the second round playoff game at Texas A&M-Kingsville into overtime. He also had a great year on kickoffs while several other players were key in the playoff run.

However, mostly new faces will see playing time for the Texans on the special teams. Blake Wiest (6-1, 170, fr Henrietta) and Jerry Owens (5-11, 200, fr, Mesquite) will kick and punt for the purple and white, respectively. Shawn Lawson (6-0, 240, Lake Travis) will be the deep snapper for Tarleton heading into the season. Buckingham will also return as the holder.

“I am confident in the kickers that we have,” Fowler said. “It is hard to replace Garrett Lindholm, Kyle Hopf, Steve Arnold and deep snapper Kyle Piercefield. However, each time these guys kick the ball, they are gaining experience, and I believe they will be able to do what we need them to do – this year and in the years to come.”

Overcoming Low Expectations
The Texans were picked to finish fourth in the 2010 LSC South Division Preseason Poll. The Texans were also left out of the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll after finishing last season ranked No. 10.

“I think maybe people look at what we lost from last year,” Fowler said. “I will use that as a motivational tool for our kids, and I will use that as a motivational tool for Cary Fowler who understands where this program has been. Our job is to take the next step for all the players and coaches who have worn the purple and white in the past.

“I have the biggest honor in the world to be the head football coach at Tarleton,” Fowler said. “My job every day is to honor this program exactly the way it was built. That's what bothers me about our program not being recognized in the polls. We know the expectations are high, and the only way we are going to be successful and reach our own goals and expectations is to become a family. Not just a family of guys playing this year, but of everyone who has worn a purple and white jersey. We will be successful. We will be family.”

The Texans kick off the season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2 at home against Northeastern State.