Continuing to establish culture is key for Albright football to get back to winning

Albright struggled on the football field in 2022, going 0-10 under first-year head coach Issac Collins.

Collins, who has been coaching college football for more than 25 years, is trying to bring a winning culture back to Albright.

Since 2008, he has coached at Bucknell, Widener and Seton Hill before landing his third head coaching job in Reading.

Collins said his goal is to rebuild the program and get the Lions back on top of the Middle Atlantic Conference.

“I think the biggest thing for us last year was really trying to establish the culture that we want,” Collins said. “I think our players gained a great respect going through the type of season that we went through.”

However, the record may be deceiving at first glance. The Lions, who went 0-8 in the MAC, lost five one-score games.

Also, three days before the Lions’ opener against Salisbury University, their offensive coordinator resigned.

Ralph Clark, previously the head coach at Alvernia, stepped into the role of calling plays in an offense set by the prior coordinator.

That led to struggles for a team that averaged 12.4 points per game.

This season, Clark is back as the offensive coordinator. He had all offseason to implement his philosophy and get the players familiar with it.

One positive through a difficult season was that the Lions had two players, who since graduated, break program records.

Linebacker Sam Viera set the career tackles record with 385, breaking the mark of 383 held by Jason Howe (1994-97).

Defensive end Ryan Rapp set the record for sacks in a season with 12.5, breaking the mark of 11.5 held by Chris Rickards (1995).

While losing Viera and Rapp, Collins has a few players in mind who will step up in terms of production on defense.

Tackle Jesse Modican, linebacker Josh Scurry and linebacker Javontae Wayman were names mentioned by Collins of players who will help pick up the production.

The trio accumulated 70 tackles and three sacks last season.

Heading into his second season at Albright, which begins Friday at No. 8 Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, Texas, Collins and his coaching staff have seen the growth from his first year.

“I think going into year two, I’m excited because I think our culture is starting to get to a good place where guys are understanding what the expectation is,” Collins said. “Every head coach has a culture. We’re trying to get everybody on the same page for what we want to do as opposed to the opposite.”

With culture being at the forefront to changing the program’s fortunes, a steady quarterback under center is a close second.

The Lions had a rotating door at the position as they had four players attempt at least 15 passes a season ago, but most snaps went to Alex Gardsy and Jarren Rutter.

Combined, they completed 51-of-115 passes for 523 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Both players changed positions for this season. Gardsy shifted to safety and Rutter moved to wide receiver.

According to Collins, the Lions have had a competition in camp to see who will be under center.

Players who were in competition were two first-years in Matt Remash and Ty’Sean Helm, and two graduate transfers in Kiani Freeman and Vincenzo Scarola.

“I definitely think the talent we upgraded there but I just tell everyone it’s like having a bunch of puppies and trying to keep them in the pen when you have young quarterbacks,” Collins said.

As for the rest of the offense, the Lions return an older, experienced offensive line that should make a huge difference in the run game.

At the halfback position, Isaiah Shockley returns for his senior season. He was the team’s leading rushing and receiver in 2022.

The Lions’ workhorse had 477 yards and one touchdown on 126 carries. He also had 13 receptions for 159 yards.

Shockley will continue to be the main weapon for the Lions.

At receiver, Albright has a younger core but has looked better throughout camp, according to Collins.

Antwuan Rogers Jr. is a returning starter looking to make a big impact on the outside. He had nine receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown last season.

In addition, Albright brought in what the staff believes is a strong recruiting class that will help make a difference on the field.

The Lions are looking to have their first winning season since 2017, when they went 8-3 and made the Centennial-MAC Bowl game against Susquehanna.

“I think the biggest piece is just tied to the culture and who we want to be because we need to close football games,” Collins said on how to be successful this season. “Any time it’s a game of inches, you better be locked in together and you better be able to identify the things that you need to do to be successful.”

According to Collins, the Lions have grown, but will continue to strive to reach their full potential.

“We spent the offseason kind of building a system that I’m excited about and I think as our kids grow and develop in time, I think it’ll be a really good fit for who we are and the types of kids that I think we can get here,” Collins said.

A look at the Lions

Coach: Issac Collins, second season.

Last season: 0-8 MAC, 0-10.

Key players: Offense — Isaiah Shockley, Antwan Rogers Jr., Matt Remash. Defense — Kyle Lash, Jesse Modican, Josh Scurry, Javontae Wayman, Sebastian Robinson, Devine Davis.

Schedule: Sept. 1, at Hardin-Simmons; Sept. 9, Delaware Valley; Sept. 16, at King’s; Sept. 23, FDU-Florham; Oct. 7, Stevenson; Oct. 14, at Eastern (played at Penn University); Oct. 21, Widener; Oct. 28, at Misericordia; Nov. 4, at Alvernia; Nov. 11, Lebanon Valley.

Source: Berkshire mont