Offensive coordinator assumes role of head coach CHANGE The 2007 season held an important role change for members of the Bisons football team. Offensive coordinator Ronnie Huckeba was named head coach following the resignation of long-time head coach Randy Tribble. Tribble announced his resignation from the football program only two games into the 2007 season, citing personal reasons. According to senior offensive lineman Ross Conn, losing Tribble as head coach was hard on the team. “[Coach Tribble’s resignation] was difficult,”Conn said.“I cried a little bit, and I know there were a lot of other players on the team who cried, too.We all loved Coach Tribble.We all still love Coach Tribble. [After he left] things were just different.” On Sept.11,the same dayTribble’s resignation was announced,Huckeba was named interimhead coach.According to athletic director GregHarnden, Huckeba was the obvious choice to take over the head coaching role. “I’ve known Coach Huck forever, and I’ve always thought he has had head coaching potential and ability,” Harnden said. “When we made the changes as far as head coaches were concerned, he was the obvious choice for me to make as interim head coach. After seeing the way Coach Huck handled it, I don’t think anyone could have done better.” After 21 seasons as an assistant coach and four games as interim head coach, Huckeba was appointed to serve as the official head coach for the Bisons. Huckeba said, while he felt confident he had the ability to serve as permanent head coach, he was not positive he would be chosen for the job. “I had a good feeling [about being selected as head coach] because I thought I was qualified for the job and felt like I could do a good job, but there was still that question of what was really going to happen,”Huckeba said. “I feel like Coach Harnden and Dr. [David] Burks felt good about me. I am very appreciative and honored in their trust, and I plan to do my very best to justify the confidence they have shown in me.” The decision to name a head coach who was already established with the team made the transition between coaches easier, Conn said. “Having someone [be named head coach] that you are already comfortable with and that is on the inside and knows how the program works was a psychological advantage for us,” Conn said. “He had some large shoes to fill, but Coach Huck was up to the task.He knows what Harding tradition is and what needs to be done to fulfill it. He is a great coach and has done a great job.” Huckeba said the 2007 coaching staff decided to focus its attention on the members of the team and hopefully showing them that the difficult situations the football team had been placed in during the season could prepare them for difficult situations in life. “We want our guys to be Godly men and that is a growing process, but our job as coaches is to facilitate that, and football can be a vehicle for that,” Huckeba said. “In football you are placed in adverse situations, just like we were this year. It’s a tough game, but life is tough. How you deal with those tough times in football will affect how you deal with the tough times in your life.” [Heather Browning] 278 [athletics] Sophomore wide receiver Zac Ross runs the ball during the Bisons’ final game of the season on Nov. 10. The Bisons’ defeated the Ouachita Baptist Tigers 38-36. [Craig Rainbolt]
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