Christopher Newport University opens the 2022 football season Saturday night, as the Captains travel to Lexington, Va., to take on the Generals of Washington and Lee University. Kickoff time is set for 6:00 p.m.
The game marks the start of the Paul Crowley era, as the new head coach leads the Captains into action to open the 22nd season of CNU football. Christopher Newport was 5-5 last year and 3-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Crowley, a former offensive lineman with the Captains, had been serving as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and was named the third head coach in the history of the program in early December.
CNU and W & L will be meeting for just the second time following a 28-24 Christopher Newport victory to open last season at TowneBank Stadium. Saturday's game will be the first of ten regular-season matchups for the Captains, and the first of four non-conference games prior to a six-game slate in the NJAC.
All Christopher Newport games are broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Prior to beginning his first season at the helm, new Head Coach Paul Crowley took time to preview the 2022 season:
Q) Heading into your first season as a head coach, how does it feel to be leading
the program you are so well connected with?
A) It's special to be able to lead the program I have been a part of for so many years.
The support from alumni and the greater CNU community has been fantastic. And, with
that, comes the responsibility of making sure the program lives up to the standards and
expectations that have become synonymous with Christopher Newport football over the
years.
Q) When you were named head coach in December, what did you feel was the top
priority for the program?
A) The top priority was hiring a group of coaches that I felt confident could help me lead
the program in the direction I wanted. Ultimately, I wanted to hire coaches I trust are in
the business for the right reason, which is the welfare of the student-athletes. This group
of coaches is incredibly experienced and they're all great teachers, but more than that
they're good people who are coaching to develop great student-athletes both on and off
the field.
Q) As you began recruiting as a head coach, how were you received by high
school coaches and recruits?
A) I have been fortunate to recruit the Commonwealth of Virginia almost exclusively for
better than a dozen years now. And I know the quality of student-athletes that Virginia
produces. So, I am excited with the response we have received as a staff from coaches
and recruits across the state. And we are certainly going to continue recruiting and
developing talent from Virginia our highest priority.
Q) How would you assess your first recruiting class as a head coach?
A) We had a little bit of a late start in recruiting with the coaching change, but we brought
in a big freshmen class this year and are excited with the group that has come in. Ultimately it
will be on these guys to prove themselves...many had a great pre-season camp and
they need to keep working hard in practice to get their shot.
Q) Matt Dzierski had an outstanding 2021 campaign, and was voted the NJAC's Offensive
Player of the Year...how does he look heading into the opener?
A) Matt certainly deserved all the honors he received last year. The great thing about him is he is
always looking for ways to get better. He has worked so hard and I'm looking forward to seeing him
mature and continue to improve his game. Ty Crabb is a veteran of course and will be behind him, and
had an excellent spring, and is also a guy we trust can be a good starter as well.
Q) As you stated, you've assembled an impressive group of assistant
coaches...I'm sure you will rely on their vast experiences. Tell us more about your
staff.
A) I am extremely fortunate with the staff we have put together. Starting with our
coordinators, Craig Smith has been successful everywhere he has been as both a coach
and player and I had the opportunity to coach with him in 2013-2014 when we had some
very good teams. Eli Wicklund has a good amount of experience at various levels, and I
was very impressed with what they did defensively when he was at Bucknell. Bringing
Dan Antolik back has been great. The alumni know what he has meant to CNU football,
and I know he will bring a toughness to the program. Both Matt McLeod and Zbig Kepa
worked at William and Mary under Jimmye Laycock, and I know, from personal
experience, the kind of coach you have to be to work there. They are both phenomenal
coaches. Alex Smith was instrumental in bringing in this year's recruiting class. And
Shomari Wright was an excellent player at CNU and can relate to the players the
expectations of what it takes to be a true student athlete here.
Q) The New Jersey Athletic Conference is always a very competitive league...how
do you see the conference teams trending heading into 2022?
A) I think the major hallmark of the NJAC is the depth in the league. Very similar to
coaching in the CAA, which is one of the better conferences in FCS, each and every
week any team has the ability to beat you. Furthermore, there is a physicality to the
conference that can wear on any team. And obviously what Salisbury has built is
impressive. We certainly have our work cut out for us.
Q) Your first schedule as a head coach features six home games...I'm sure you're
excited to lead your squad into action...what are you most excited about?
A) I am most excited about the home game crowds and the alumni support we are going
to receive. The support of the Christopher Newport community was a big part of why I
chose to come to CNU years ago as a player, and it remains strong as ever. Our players
will be working their hardest to put us in a position to be successful in every game. I'm
just really looking forward to seeing which players will rise to that challenge.
Original source can be found here.
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