North Carolina State University Athletics
New Coach, New Season, New Era
8/31/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
As NC State gets set to open its 108th football season, the operative word for the Wolfpack in 2000 is "new." The head coach is new, so is the coaching staff and so is the quarterback. Even a few players that played productive minutes last season are acclimating themselves to new positions.
While not new to NC State, Chuck Amato will have an entirely new perspective on things when the Pack tangles with Arkansas State. After nearly 30-years as an assistant, Amato is about to enter his first game as a head coach.
Not since Beattie Feathers (1944-51) has a former NC State player come back to lead the Wolfpack program.
Amato, who was a linebacker at State from 1965-67, inherits a young team that will feature only five seniors in the starting line up. The quarterback, freshman Philip Rivers, is venturing into unknown territory as he prepares to take a snap in a college game for the first time.
"It's been a dream of mine and it's about to come true," said Rivers. "I feel it's going to feel like a first game to a lot of guys because so many things are new. [Senior linebackClayton Whitehite and those guys on defense are playing in a different system. I mean Eric Leak, he's a senior and he's running a different offense, so it's going to be new for him to."
Leak knows a little something about changes. Recruited as a receiver, the 5'8, 190 pound senior from Forest Hills made the switch to running back a few years ago before moving back to receiver last season.
As they evaluated their team throughout the spring and preseason, Amato and his staff knew some position changes would be needed to build up depth at certain spots. Redshirt senior Tramayne Simmons has been moved to fullback after spending three years as a tight end. Freshman James Walker, who was one of the Wolfpack's most improved wide receivers during the spring, will be lining up as a starting cornerback in the opener.
And perhaps the most significant position change this preseason involved Brian Williams. As a free safety last season, the junior led the Pack in tackles. But a few days into fall practice, Williams was moved to corner.
Shoring up an often-leaky run defense has been a top priority for Amato and defensive coordinator Buddy Green during the off-season. Last year, the Pack yielded an average of 157 rushing yards per game to its opponents.
"I feel like we've made big strides from what it's been like in the past," said senior linebacker Clayton White. "We still have a ways to go because you can never be perfect, but I feel like we have become more physical. We're going to get better at it because that's what he (Amato) is going to demand."
Said Amato: "We've got to stop the run, and then we'll worry about the pass. If you can't stop the run they can throw the ball anytime they want to."
In Arkansas State, the Wolfpack will be facing an opponent that relies heavily on big plays in the passing game. The explosive combination of senior quarterback Cleo Lemon and receiver Robert Kilow will certainly try to exploit the Pack's inexperience at the corner positions.
NC State's all-time record in home openers is 58-10-3 (%85.2) and the Wolfpack has prevailed in its last three opening games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
This will be the first meeting between NC State and Arkansas State.
