Assistant Coach At Notre Dame Feels God’s Calling to Lead the Bucs
By: CSU Media
Following are Outtakes From CSU Press Conference
Charleston Southern Athletic Director Jeff Barber formally introduced Autry Denson as the Buccaneers’ new head football coach Wednesday morning at the Buccaneer Athletic Performance Center on the campus of CSU.
Select quotes and comments from CSU President Dr. Dondi Costin, Barber, and Denson can be found below. The complete press conference and media question-and-answer session are posted at the top and bottom of the article.
Dr. Dondi E. Costin, Charleston Southern University President
The next thing that I asked Jeff to look for in our next head coach was somebody who could be a leader, who would build a culture of Christian character. That culture would be honoring to Christ, that culture would be one that would lift up and that his main function was to make sure that these student-athletes were raised up to also love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
The last thing that I asked Jeff to look for in a head coach was that he would be the kind of coach that would be committed to winning championships. This is a big day in the life of the University as we have found a man who does all of those things. We found a man who has great experience on the field itself, who understands what it’s like to live as a man who is both student and athlete in that order, who understands what it’s like to live that life. We found a man who loves the Lord his God, we found a man who loves his wife and his kids, and understands his primary function is to raise up young men to do the same.
We also found a man who has coached at the highest levels. We’re grateful that Autry has decided that God has called him to this place.”
Jeff Barber, Charleston Southern Athletic Director
Today is a great day for CSU. One of the reasons it is is another thank you. That’s to thank Zane Vance who has served as our interim coach. It’s also to thank our assistant coaches and I look around the room and see many of them here today. During this transition period, it’s not easy, it’s not fun, and they have kept our program where it needed to be.
It is a great day for our Buccaneer football program. It’s a great day for the lives and the hearts of our young men who are currently with the football program and those who will choose to be a part of this program. It’s a great day because this man to my right will change their life. He’s going to make a big difference in who they are as people.”
Autry Denson, Charleston Southern Head Football Coach
I’d like to thank Dr. Costin for taking the chance on me. Jeff Barber, I feel like we are connected at the hip right now. This process has been a process, but it has been one I wouldn’t take with anyone else. Luke (Blackmon), my fellow banker here, I want to thank everybody for this opportunity.
I want to preface this by saying and this is how I spoke to the team this morning. There are very few times in life, very few opportunities when you have the chance to do something which is the status of legendary. There are very few opportunities that you get and I feel that today, right now, that is the time we have here at Charleston Southern. We have the chance to do something that has not been done, both on and off the field.”