Published: July 05, 2006 11:07 pm         

Hughes, News & Views: Wayne Stahley back on grid sidelines

TERRE HAUTE — Since Steve Englehart was promoted from assistant to head coach of Rose-Hulman’s football team in mid-February, he’s hired several new assistants.

One of them is his old high school coach.

Yes, longtime Terre Haute North field general Wayne Stahley has come out of retirement to work with the Engineers’ outside linebackers. That will be worth a separate column when football season gets closer. But for now: Welcome back, Wayne.

Also new to the Rose staff is defensive coordinator Ralph Clark, who spent the last two seasons as a defensive coach at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he worked with outside linebackers in 2005 and the secondary in 2004. His responsibilities included assisting in gameplanning and film breakdown, coaching special-teams return men and organizing the offensive scout team.

“Ralph brings a lot of knowledge to the table,” Englehart said. “He’s a very intense guy. He’ll have us playing very sound defense. He’ll make sure we’re always going to be in the right position. He’s also creative with disguising and blitzing defenses. He’s our strength and conditioning coach as well.”

Englehart, a former North and Indiana State quarterback, will continue to serve as offensive coordinator. Another new full-time coach is Matt Cole, son of Rose-Hulman track and field coach Larry Cole. Matt, who played wide receiver for Mount Union earlier this decade, is coaching wide receivers. In the off-season, he will assist his father with the track team.

Other coaching newcomers are recent Rose standout Charlie Key (running backs), recent Northview High School assistant Mike Ellis (offensive line), graduate assistant and recent Ball State linebacker/team captain David Denham (inside linebackers), volunteer Bill Dininger (tight ends) and ISU intern Charles Roach (defensive line).

“I think we have as good as a staff as anyone,” Englehart emphasized. “I’ll put our staff up with anyone. We have a lot of experience mixed with youth. We have some coaches who will get after the players and others who will bring them back up.”

Ten coaches are on the staff, including part-time personnel. Tony Karras, brother of departed Rose-Hulman head coach Ted Karras Jr., remains as the recruiting coordinator and special-teams coordinator.

“Tony’s done a great job,” Englehart said. “He’s taken on a lot more responsibility.”

Englehart, 28, admitted that managing the other coaches has been the biggest challenge since he took on his first collegiate head-coaching job.

“Now I’m handing out responsibilities,” he explained. “It’s something I really enjoy. I enjoy working with other people. It’s been pretty good so far. I wouldn’t say anything has caught me by surprise.”

Rose-Hulman’s preseason camp will start Aug. 12, with the first practice slated for Aug. 13. So early summer might be the only time coaches can squeeze in a little vacation before season preparation gets serious.

Englehart even managed to take his family to Gatlinburg, Tenn., for four days last month. “That’s going to be the last one for a while,” he said.

When players report to camp, Englehart figures he’ll have about 33 freshmen.

“I think we have some really good guys coming in at some key positions,” he assessed. “I think we’ve brought in some guys at running back who can come in and help to some extent during the year, considering we graduated four players at that position.

“I think we can be pretty good if everything goes well. We’ll see.”

Not surprisingly, Englehart can’t wait for the season to start Sept. 2 with a home game against Earlham at Cook Stadium.

“It’s time to start playing some football and coaching,” he stressed.

Sounds like something Coach Stahley would say.



David Hughes can be reached by phone at 1-800-783-8742, Option 4, or at (812) 231-4224; by e-mail at david.hughes@tribstar.com; or by fax at (812) 231-4321.