Minding His Business Whitworth Coach Serious About Building Success

Asked to describe new Whitworth College football coach John Tully, senior quarterback J.J. Green couldn’t have phrased it any better.

“He means business,” Green said.

That is quite evident when one first encounters Tully.

Tully is soft-spoken and polite. He possesses a gentlemanly character. But there is a look on his face. The look becomes even more clear when you look into his eyes; and you have no choice but to look him in the eyes, because he is looking into yours.

It would appear unwise to get in Tully’s way. A former four-year starter at Azusa Pacific (Calif.) College, the 42-year-old is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds - bigger than 55 of the 68 players on Whitworth’s 1994 roster.

There were times last season when the players on that roster showed promise. A 44-36 win at 22nd-ranked Central Washington comes to mind.

However, the Pirates finished the season at 3-6, their ninth losing season in 10 years.

On too many occasions, the Pirates’ effort looked like slapstick, despite the fact they had some talent.

Tully will attempt to instill mental toughness in his first Whitworth team. He will also provide something the program didn’t have last year - a sense of stability.

Shorty Bennett, who was Whitworth’s coach for seven years, stepped down in early September. Defensive coordinator Chris Casey was offered the job, but concern about his irregular heartbeat prevented him from taking it.

Finally, former Pirates coach Daryl Squires accepted the position on an interim basis, coming out of retirement just a week before the Pirates first game.

Tully is ready to move on.

“I’m a person who enjoys a challenge,” Tully said. “This is a challenge, and I like the idea of working at a small Christian college.”

Tully comes from Eureka (Ill.) College, where he compiled a 31-21 record in five seasons. In the 12 seasons before he became head coach, the program had a 30-77-1 record. An NAIA Division II team, Eureka made the national playoffs in 1991 and 1994, the only two times it had reached postseason play in 100 years of football.

Tully is in a similar situation at Whitworth. The Pirates are 16-44-1 in the last decade.

Tully inherits a team that returns 10 defensive starters, four of whom were all-conference. The Pirates also return experience at the offensive skill positions, but must replace most of the offensive line.

The defense looks much improved. Among the veterans are senior defensive backs Casey Clark, from Bonners Ferry, and Eric Bird. Clark was tied for third in the Columbia Football Association in interceptions (six) and takeaways (seven) and had 45 tackles last year. Bird had 43 tackles and four interceptions. Both earned second-team all-conference honors.

Seniors Jeff Baxter, from Kettle Falls, and Shay Smith return at linebacker.

On offense, the 6-foot 2, 191-pound Green will connect once again with all-purpose slotback Scott Sund, a junior.

Sund is a wide receiver with the toughness of a lineman. He caught 60 passes for 757 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Green ranked third in the CFA in passing, completing 190 of 330 passes for 2,318 yards and 18 touchdowns. That included a 529-yard performance, fourth-best in CFA history, against Willamette, and a CFA-record 90 percent passing effort (27 for 30) against Lewis & Clark.

Whitworth’s alumni game is Sept. 9, and the Pirates will open the season at Eastern Oregon on Sept. 16. They will play four home games.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo