Next Senior Up
Moorhead, Minn. (9/01/16)--- Out with the old and in with the new.
Most people don't do well with adapting to change – but if you are a college coach your bunch is always changing and you better get used to it.
Terry Horan and the Cobbers graduated a class of 19 seniors in 2015 and this fall the program ushered in a class of 17 seniors who will look to get over the hump.
That looming hump would be qualifying for the playoffs.
Horan's squad boasts the second best winning percentage (31-9, .775) in the MIAC over the past four seasons, trailing only St. Thomas (44-7, .862) who were runner-ups in the Stagg Bowl in 2015.
The Tommies, Concordia, Bethel and St. John's have all won at least 70% of their games the past four seasons but the Cobbers are the only team to have not qualified for postseason play over that span.
Concordia has built this winning tradition from the ground up. When the team hits the field on Saturday at Jamestown the starting lineup will make that evident.
Seniors Tyler Gebhart and Andy McDonnell as the program's poster boys for this principle.
Gebhart, a Detroit Lakes native, and McDonnell, a New-London Spicer product, are seniors who have bided their time, trusted the process, stuck with the program and are now the team's starting right guard and right tackle.
They aren't the only ones that have paid their dues. Senior receivers Matt Connelly and Dylan Hoerchler are stepping into starting roles for the first time in their careers (Hoerchler started two games last season in place of injured Brandon Zylstra).
Flip sides of the ball and more seniors are getting their first nods as starters. Though the duo has contributed on special teams and at linebacker for the past two seasons, Hank Van Liew and Dylan Connor are experienced backers who are getting their first starts on Saturday against the Jimmies.
It has been the staple of the program. Developing young Cobbers into contributors in football and in life.
"They've been through a lot of wars and battles," Horan said, "and they've seen both the good and the great as well as the heartache and disappointment and when you've seen that it just fuels the fire to do something that has not been done in a while."
When Horan took over at the helm 16 years ago he had just nine seniors. Now that number is consistently in the high teens and low 20's because he knows how important strong senior leadership can be.
"These guys have been through a lot of rodeos. We've got some young guys so hopefully they can follow suit and see what happens on Saturday."
Written by Sports Information Intern Austin Hawkins