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ONE-ON-ONE: Q&A WITH NEW CHAPMAN FOOTBALL COACH BOB OWENS

ORANGE, Calif. – It’s rather fitting that the same week that goalposts and stadium lights were firmly cemented into Chapman’s new Wilson Field, another new fixture at Chapman was beginning to cement his own place on campus. New head football coach Bob Owens met his team on Tuesday and began to lay the foundation for the upcoming 2006 season with the kickoff of spring practices. Below is a Q&A with the veteran coach as he embarks on his debut season at the helm of the Panther football program.

Owens served as head coach at local rival Whittier College from 1996-01 and won two conference championships

What made you want to get back to becoming a head coach?
     I wasn’t really looking. But I thought this was the right job for me. I like the small liberal arts college environment; I’m a product of it and very much enjoy the atmosphere. I understand what it takes to work in a Division III program, particularly in Southern California.

What is your biggest strength as a coach?
     I think it’s probably being a teacher at heart. Getting players to believe in themselves, play hard and execute their assignments. Recognizing players’ strengths and putting them where they can succeed.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge as Chapman’s head coach?
     It’s really hard to know until we go through spring ball and I have an opportunity to evaluate the players that are here.

In your previous head coaching experience, what was the biggest lesson you learned?
     The importance of becoming a member of the university community; getting to know other faculty and staff members, becoming acquainted with and supporting other departments and the various student groups/clubs. Our student/athletes are not just a part of the football program; they are members of the university community, too. As I develop relationships throughout the university, I am able to be a better resource, advocate and support to the players.

What coaches have you admired or modeled yourself after in your coaching career and in developing your coaching philosophy and why?
     B.J. Harbor was my first coach, in Shreveport, La., for the love and respect he had for his players. Roland Ortmayer, my college coach at La Verne, for making you feel like you could succeed at life in any endeavor. Ray Coldiron, the first coach I worked for, for his attention to detail. Jim Criner for his winning attitude, toughness and loyalty. And John Ralston for his leadership ability.

What’s appealing and/or different about coaching at a small, private school as opposed to the state schools you’ve been at and how does it tie in with your coaching philosophy?
     As a graduate of the University of La Verne, I thoroughly appreciate the value of the education and intimate atmosphere afforded students in a small college setting. It was an environment that was very beneficial for me, and I have seen hundreds of students blossom and mature tremendously as a result of a similar experience. Many of my fundamental values and beliefs about coaching and sports are further enriched on small college campuses where people cannot be so easily lost or hidden. I find it is inspirational to both students and faculty, and it is the setting I enjoy most.

You have a reputation for being an excellent recruiter. What do you look for in prospective student/athletes?
     First of all, I look for those areas where a school’s strengths and benefits complement a student/athlete’s needs and abilities. If there isn’t an intersection in there somewhere, it’s not going to work for the student/athlete or the university. The student/athlete must be able to succeed in our specific environment.
     Next I’m looking for character qualities: integrity, hard working, overachieving and team oriented. And then, of course, I’m looking for the position skills and physical attributes required by individual positions. Hopefully, I can see potential that someone else has overlooked; perhaps a player who was underutilized or not in the best position for him. I am also looking for players who we may be able to further develop. For instance, if I need someone who is 6’4” and 260 pounds, an underweight player at 6’4” may have the potential to put on additional weight depending upon his work ethic and body type.

What are your goals and expectations, short and long term, for Chapman University football?
     In the short-term, I want the players to be consistently successful in the classroom. We need to become bigger and stronger and more athletic than the teams we play. We hope to be competitive in every game and to have winning seasons. Long-term goals are for players to go on to become successful in life after they graduate from Chapman, contributing to the community and society. To build a model program, competitive and respected. To consistently win homecoming games and to compete at the national level.

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