FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 23, 2021) – With one year at Northern Arizona now under his belt, Lumberjacks head coach
Chris Ball expressed the challenges he faced in year one, as well as his excitement for the impending season.
Ball, who has more than 30 years of college football coaching experience with his most previous spell as defensive coordinator at the University of Memphis, is coming off of a 4-8 season in his first year as NAU's head coach. With the first game of the season on the horizon, Ball described the eagerness around the program.
"We're really excited," Ball said. "To actually be preparing to play a game is amazing, our guys have been so patient, and they deserve it."
Working within a new program in a new role is no easy task and Ball described the first year as a great learning experience.
"There's so much more to it that you don't know until you sit in this seat," Ball said. "You realize all of the different things that you have to manage. There's a lot that goes on during your day and there's never a dull moment."
For Ball, there is no doubt that his team's offense is going to perform, coming off a season in which they averaged 37 points a game. Even with the departure of All-American quarterback Case Cookus, Ball believes that this offense has what it takes to succeed.
"I think we've got a great handle offensively," Ball said. "They know what the expectations are and what we need to do this year to do win."
Prior to being hired as the head coach at NAU, Ball spent the majority of his coaching career as a defensive specialist and continues to implement his expertise into this program. With NAU's defense allowing 41 points per game last season, Ball said he is looking to raise the standards for the Lumberjacks.
"Working with the secondary has always been my strength," Ball said. "I didn't help out Coach (Jerry) Partridge enough with the defense last year, and I think that I can further help the team if I'm involved with them more on the field."
It goes without saying that leading a successful football program is not a one-man job. From top to bottom, Ball said he has surrounded himself with incredibly supportive staff.
"I've been doing this for 37 years and this is the best football staff I've ever been a part of," Ball said, not holding back his appreciation. "The support is unreal; I would put it up against anybody in the country."
Ball also described how valuable the support outside of his immediate football staff has been, including how important University President Dr. Rita Cheng has been so far during his time at NAU.
"It all starts with President Cheng, she has done a tremendous job and is one of the reasons I came here," Ball said. "Her vision of having a championship football program and being able to compete nationally has allowed us to do a lot of things."
The spring 2021 edition of the Lumberjacks will have a vastly different look compared to Ball's first year, with more than 60 newcomers to the program.
While NAU is obviously searching for talented players to bring in from all across the country, Ball described the importance of character, work ethic, and mental toughness when it comes to identifying new recruits.
"We spend a lot of time getting to know the kids on and off the field," Ball said. "The guys that we have brought in within this class are going to be difference makers."
All of the talent in the world is nothing without a family-like culture running through the team, and Ball has noticed a "night and day" difference within the past year.
Much of the differences have been made with the help of his coaching staff, and Ball said he believes that they have been able to turn over a new leaf.
"Our kids have done an unbelievable job of flipping this culture," Ball said. "They're enthusiastic, there's energy, and they're working harder than any group of kids I've ever been around."
