Week 2 Coaches Inc. Highlights

“Bend but don’t break” seemed to be the theme for the Cardinals defense on Sunday in New Orleans. The secondary batted down two passes in the endzone in the final minute to end the Saints comeback effort and seal the win after allowing only one TD all game - and that lone TD came after a Cardinals INT was erased due to an illegal contact penalty called away from the ball.  Defensive QC Ronald Booker and Corners Coach Ryan Smith helped their HC secure just his fifth road win at the helm and it was the first time the Cardinals started out a season 1-0 since 2021. Road wins in the NFL are especially hard to come by and with the Panthers heading to Arizona this weekend, the Cardinals have a shot to go 2-0 for the first time since 2020.

Illinois DBs Coach Corey Parker knows something about winning. He was a highly decorated high school coach in Michigan, amassing a 113-34 head coaching record, before embarking on his collegiate coaching career at Toledo. In his two seasons with the Rockets, he helped them to two MAC Conference championship games and mentored two time All-American Corner Quinyon Mitchell - who was the  first cornerback selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Corey is now in his second season at Illinois and the Illini are ranked #9 in the latest AP poll which marks its first Top 10 ranking since 2001.

The Illini defense sparked the team’s 45-19 win at Duke on Saturday. Corey’s DBs forced two fumbles and came away with an INT to spur a 31-6 second half advantage for the Illini. We all know past performance does not guarantee future results but with Corey’s track record of winning, a CFP berth just might be within reach for Illinois this year.

Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy has never been shy with the media. Last week on his weekly radio show, he suggested that Oregon spent so much more money on players than most schools that maybe they should only play teams with similar budgets for games to be fair. Oregon HC Dan Lanning replied that the Ducks spend big because that’s what it takes to be a Top 10 team and hinted that Gundy was only making an excuse. Evidently, both coaches were proven right as Oregon demolished Oklahoma State 69-3 on Saturday.

One of college football’s brightest young stars, Oregon Assistant HC/RBs Coach Ra’Shaad Samples and his room delivered in a big way to the lopsided win that resembled the scores of many FBS vs FCS matchups from the weekend. RB Noah Whittington scored a 59-yard TD on the Ducks’ second snap of the game to set the tone for a 631 yard performance by the offense, with 312 yards on the ground. Four different Oregon RBs scored TDs and the Ducks have outscored their opponents 128-16 over two games. This team looks like a true championship contender.

Despite spending his earliest years in California, Alabama State Defensive Coordinator/LBs Coach Billy Gresham has spent most of his life in Montgomery, Alabama. He was an all-conference LB as an Alabama State player, local high school HC, and is now in his eighth season with the Hornets as an assistant coach - his first as Defensive Coordinator. On Saturday, his side forced two fumbles and had two INTs to help the Hornets to a 30-7 victory at Southern. There isn’t much Billy hasn’t done for Alabama State football, as he is also the Director of High School Relations and Recruiting Coordinator. He spent the last few seasons running special teams and it looks like he is getting the hang of his new role running the defense.

The Tennessee Tech football stadium is undergoing renovations and does not currently have lights. In order to avoid potential darkness issues, HC Bobby Wilder called his upcoming opponents over the summer to let them know their games would now kickoff at noon. UT-Chattanooga’s HC evidently took issue with the situation and when asked about the time change while addressing the media last week claimed Tennessee Tech was “not big time football.” And just like MJ famously said in “The Last Dance,” Bobby and his team took that personally.

Assistant HC/WRs John Allen and Associate HC/OC/QBs Coach Brian Scott designed a masterful gameplan against the visiting Mocs that resulted in a 45-17 rout. The offense totaled 513 yards on the day and scored three rushing and three receiving TDs. So far this season, the Golden Eagles have outscored opponents by a 110-17 margin. After winning a share of the conference championship but being left out of the FCS playoffs in this staff’s first season in Cookeville last year, Tennessee Tech is on a mission to show the selection committee they belong and moved up to #15/16 in the FCS polls.

VMI had a tough season last year and started off 2025 at Navy in Week 1. However, in front of the home crowd in Lexington, VA, the Keydets earned a 42-7 victory over Ferrum on Saturday. Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Elliott Wratten and his group helped pave the way for VMI to rack up 400 yards of offense and did not give up a sack. They had big plays, the first TD was a 78-yard run, and sustained drives while putting together a complete performance. With the win, VMI matched its win total from 2024, and is looking to improve to 2-1 this week as they travel to face Bucknell.

Henderson State’s Head Coach Greg Holsworth took over the program after being promoted from defensive coordinator in June 2024. In his first season, he led the Reddies to a 8-3 record and opened the 2025 season with a convincing 48-13 win on Thursday night. Henderson State’s offense struggled to get going early and the game was closer than expected, 20-13, at the end of the third quarter. However, the Reddies showed their killer instinct by putting up a 28-0 fourth quarter and winning the game handily. Defense played well all night, and special teams had a punt return TD and converted a 51-yard FG. Assuming the Reddies’ offense worked out its kinks, Henderson State will have another successful season.

Following in Greg’s footsteps, Seton Hill Head Coach Kevin May (X, email) was promoted from Defensive Coordinator in the summer of 2025. In his first game as HC, the Griffins’ comeback effort fell short and they lost 24-21, but his HC record evened out after Saturday’s convincing 42-21 win at West Liberty. In a total team effort, Seton Hill scored in all three phases with a blocked punt return for a TD, a pick six, three passing TDs and a rushing TD. If Kevin can keep the entire team performing the way his defenses consistently have, the Griffins could be in for a good year.