By: Jacob Pumphrey
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – A new era of Southern Arkansas University Football began on Monday afternoon as
Brad Smiley was officially introduced as the 21
st head coach of the Mulerider Football program at a special introductory press conference and meet & greet inside Grand Hall A-B of the University's Donald W. Reynolds Campus & Community Center.
In front of a standing room only crowd, SAU Director of Athletics
Steve Browning introduced the newest leader of a program that is rich in history, but eager to get back to competing for championships.
"Our [hiring] committee did an outstanding job," noted Browning. "Dr. Berry and I got together and really locked on in on what we want in a coach and spread that to the committee. Let me tell you, they did an outstanding job and really honed in on what we were looking for and it didn't take long to realize that Coach
Brad Smiley's name had come to the top."
SAU President Dr. Trey Berry presented Smiley, who joins the Mulerider Family after previously serving as the offensive coordinator at FCS Northwestern State, with an authentic team pennant adorned with the lettering "Muleriders" from the 1922 season which was the program's first season playing as one of the most unique mascots in all of sports. Smiley's first campaign in Magnolia will be the 100
th season as the Muleriders and 104
th overall.
Among enlightening a tuned-in audience of his background and answering questions about style of play and schemes, special teams, and recruiting among other things, Smiley notably mentioned what can be expected of future Mulerider teams under his tutelage.
"It doesn't matter if you're running the triple option or you're running five wide and throwing it 70 times a game, the teams that win championships are the most physical," remarked Smiley. "I told the committee that football is the greatest sport in the world, because really it's the only time legally you can put your hands on another man and take him somewhere he does not want to go. And it's legal."
To watch the full press conference, view below (starts at 5:45 on video).
