Turner Gill to lead the Flames

New head football coach replaces Rocco

For most students, Dec. 15, 2011, marked the end of another semester. For Liberty University football and new head coach Turner Gill, it marked the beginning of a new era. Just a week and a half after former head coach Danny Rocco accepted the head coaching position at the University of Richmond, the Flames announced the hiring of Gill as the program’s eighth head coach. With him, the 49-year-old coach brings a wealth of experience and even more confidence to boot.

“We’re going to be exciting, we’re going to have fun and show a lot of emotion,” Gill said.

Gill comes to Liberty with Division I expertise, a characteristic Athletic Director Jeff Barber sought after during his search for a new coach. Gill served as head coach at the University of Buffalo from 2006 to 2009 and the University of Kansas from 2010 to 2011. While at Buffalo, Gill revived the school’s lethargic football program, guiding it to its best season in over 10 years in 2007.

Gill garnered more accomplishments with the program in 2008, as Buffalo won the Mid-American Conference title and clinched its first bowl game appearance in program history. For his efforts, Sporting News awarded Gill the MAC Coach of the Year award. Gill was also an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska, for 13 years, aiding in the development of standout players such as Heisman-winning quarterback Eric Crouch.

In three starting seasons at the University of Nebraska, Gill led the ‘Huskers to three consecutive Big 8 titles. Gill was 28-2 all-time as a starting quarterback and engineered one of the most prolific offenses in college history, averaging 52 points and 401 yards rushed per game, earning him a Heisman candidacy in 1983.

As for his game plan, Gill favors a physical and explosive offense built around the run, while also giving the quarterback the freedom to move around the pocket and throw the occasional bomb. On defense, Gill said he expects his players to be fundamentally sound.

“I want people to be speaking about our defense as ‘those guys will hit you.’ We want to have that mentality. That’s going to get the fans excited.”

The Fort Worth, Texas native also plans on returning to his state, a football factory of high school talent, in the next few years for recruiting trips.

“Everybody is recognizing Liberty. It is a school where people have heard that great things are going on there. With the addition of the staff that we have hired, people have really wanted to come see it. We’ve been well taken. Our fans are going to be excited about the people we’re going to be bringing in,” Gill said.

For those who remain apprehensive about the program’s direction, Gill has set the bar high for a team that has won four conference championships in six years.

“Our number one goal is to win our conference. That then gives you the chance to win a national championship, so first comes a conference championship and then a national championship,” Gill said. “We have high expectations. I always had high exceptions no matter where I’ve been. If you don’t have high expectations, you’re in the wrong situation.”

Regardless of where the program goes, Gill’s focus is set, his determination steadfast.

“Bottom line, we’re going to develop young men for Christ, build champions for Christ, that’s one of our mission statements. We’ve got to do things within this university’s standards and, most importantly, God’s standards, but also, bottom line, we’re here to win championships.”