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Back-To-Back-To-Back Four Record Setting Seasons Four Consecutive Postseason Trips Under fourth-year head coach Colby Carthel, the Lions have claimed their place as one of the most successful teams in all of Division II. The Lions experienced the biggest turnaround of any team in the State of Texas in 2013, then followed that up with a 9-win season in 2014, while 2015 saw the Lions make their third postseason appearance and first in the NCAA Playoffs. A&M-Commerce then won its first NCAA Division II Playoff game in 25 years with a first round win in 2016. The Lions have won three straight LSC hips in 2014, 2015, and 2016 - pushing the program s total to 23 all-time conference championships. 30 2014 & 2015 54.1 * 986 season School, Conference and NCAA Records Set In Points Per Game in 2014 *NCAA DII Leader LSC and School Record Total Yards * NCAA DII Record in the 2014 opener
23-TIME A History of Success A charter member of the, Lion football has been around since 1919 and has produced over 300 all-lone Star Conference First Team selections dating back to 1932. 21-2 in LSC Play Since 2014 762 All-LSC Selections 226 All-Americans Titles 23*Second-Most in the LSC History 13 Postseason Appearances
Back-To-Back-To-Back Head Coach Colby Carthel Colby Carthel was hired as the 19th head coach in A&M- Commerce history on January 23, 2013 and has guided the Lions to three straight hips in 2014, 2015, and 2016. To say Coach Carthel has turned around Lion football would be a vast understatement, Carthel has resurrected the sleeping beast that has now accounted for 23 Lone Star Conference hips the second most in league history. The Lions have also had 97 all-lsc honorees in Carthel s four seasons. The 2016 season saw the Lions achieve new heights with their third straight LSC hip and the first NCAA Division II Playoff win in 25 years. The Lions hosted their first postseason game since 1991 and defeated Colorado Mesa, 34-23, in the opening round of the playoffs. A&M-Commerce went 11-2 with an 8-1 LSC record. The Lions re-set the school record with 29 all- honors, including Defensive Back of the Year Uriah Harris. Running back Richard Cooper and wide receiver Lance Evans repeated as first team all-lsc honorees. In his third season of 2015, Carthel led the Lions to their second straight and 22nd overall regular season title. A&M-Commerce went 8-4 on the year and earned the seventh seed in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, advancing to the NCAA postseason for the first time since 1995. The Lions dropped their first round game at secondseeded Ferris State, 48-30. With an undefeated LSC regular season, the Lions clinched their second consecutive conference title on October 24 with a win over Midwestern State. Postseason honors were many, as A&M-Commerce earned a school-record 27 all-lsc honors. The Lions also collected three All-American awards. Richard Cooper was named the LSC Offensive Back of the Year. In Carthel s second season of 2014, the Lions saw 26 players earn All- a school record at the time and saw six Lions earn NFL preseason roster spots. The 2014 unit went 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the Lone Star Conference to earn the team s 21st LSC title and first since 1990. The team earned its second straight postseason appearance with a trip to the C.H.A.M.P.S Heart of Texas Bowl, 72-21 rout of East Central. The trip was the first time since 1990-1991 that the Lions made consecutive postseason trips. Wide receiver Vernon Johnson took home the LSC Wide
23-TIME Receiver of the Year Award, while defensive end Toni Pulu earned the LSC Defensive Player of the Year award. Five Lions, Johnson, Ricky Collins, Toni Pulu and Saul Martinez all took home All-American honors from various publications. Five Lions earned postseason all-star bowl appearances with Joe Bergeron and Johnson appearing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Collins, Tuaau and Ashton Dorsey playing in the College Gridiron Showcase. The Lions opened the season with 98 points and a NCAA record 986 total yards offense. The pace saw the Lions end the season with the NCAA s No. 1 offense in terms of total yards per game and scoring per game. The Lions racked up team accolades as well under Carthel s direction in 2014. A&M-Commerce also sported the No. 1 offense in the NCAA averaging 54.1 points per game, while the Lions defense finished the season No. 1 in tackles for loss per game at 10.8. Carthel led the Lions to a 7-5 record in his first season at the helm in 2013, a far cry from the combined 5-26 record the team put up in the three seasons prior to his arrival. That turnaround, one that included wins over nationally-ranked Delta State and Tarleton State, earned the Lions a postseason berth in the Live United Texarkana Bowl the program s first postseason berth since qualifying for the national playoffs in 1995. Although previously a defensive coordinator, the Lions made huge strides on the offensive side of the ball in his first season, averaging 35.0 points per game, which was up 22.4 points per game from the previous year and was the most by a Lion team since the 1990 team averaged 36.2 per game. The Lions also garnered 15 all- selections in 2013, including three on the first team. Defensive lineman Charles Tuaau was named the league s top defender and earned all-america honors, while Vernon Johnson was named the league s top wide receiver after a season that saw him haul in over 1,300 yards and 13 scores through the air. Carthel came to Commerce with strong ties to the Lone Star Conference, spending the seven previous seasons as the defensive coordinator at West Texas A&M and playing a key role in establishing the Buffs as one of the top teams in the region. During his seven years at West Texas A&M, the Buffs captured four championships while making an appearance in the postseason each year including a trip to the NCAA semifinals. All told, Carthel has made 11 consecutive trips to the postseason as a Division II coach, both as an assistant coach and a head coach. Carthel, an Angelo State graduate, his wife Sarah and son Major live in Commerce.
Back-To-Back-To-Back Offensive Coaching Staff Offensive Coordinator Matt Storm Co-Offensive Coordinator/QBs Jared May RBs/As Tim Bliel O-Line Desmund Farris WRs Yogi Gallegos WRs Malcolm Kelly
23-TIME Defensive Coaching Staff ILBs Michael Conrad Defensive Coordinator Justin Deason D-Line Caid Faske Safeties Randall Fannin Secondary Darren Garrigan OLBs Andy Townsend Cornerbacks Scotty Yates
Back-To-Back-To-Back The Lion Offense The Lions have experienced an offensive surge in the last four seasons, as the Lions were the top scoring offense in the LSC in 2016. In 2015, the Lions had a pair of 1,000 yard rushers. A&M- Commerce ranked as the No. 1 offense in the NCAA in total yards per game and scoring offense and snapping an 83-yard LSC record in 2014. Passing Yards in 2014 *School Record 4,495 2,268 Rushing Yards in 2015 *12th 2k yard season 986 Total Yards in a game in 2014 *NCAA Record 90+ Points in a game, twice in 2014 54.1 Points per game in 2014 *NCAA Leader *LSC Record 2WRs over 1,000 yards in 2014 2 RBs over 1,000 yards in 2015 *1st in school history
23-TIME The Lion Defense A&M-Commerce fields an explosive defense. The 2016 Lions forced the most turnovers in all of Division II and led the LSC in scoring defense. In 2015, the Lions led the league in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and passing efficiency defense. The Lions led the NCAA in tackles for loss and Toni Pulu was named the Lone Star Conference s Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. 421 Tackles for loss in four 129.0 Tackles for Loss in 2014 *No. 1 in the NCAA *No. 1 in the LSC 36 22 Sacks in 2014 *No. 1 in the LSC 37 Forced 2016 turnovers in Interceptions in 2016 *No. 5 in the NCAA 10.8 TFLs per game *No. 1 in the NCAA
Back-To-Back-To-Back Special Teams The Lions put together one of the top special teams units in the last three years, getting production from every angle of the unit. In 2016, the Lions ranked in the top 10 nationally in four special teams categories. The kickoff return team was the 3rd best in the NCAA in 2015. The kickoff return defense was 5th in the NCAA and the punt return defensive unit finished 9th in the NCAA. The punt block unit finished 1st in the NCAA in 2014. 4 Punt Returns for TDs in 2016 PATs made in 2014 *School Record 76 12.5 KOR defense avg in 2016 *2nd in the NCAA Field goals made in 2014 *School Record 21 16.9 * 8th in NCAA Punt Return Avg in 2016 9Blocked kicks for TDs in the last 4 seasons 6 Blocked Punts in 2015 *No. 1 in the NCAA for the second season
23-TIME Institution-Wide Partnership with Under Armour
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Back-To-Back-To-Back NFL and A&M-Commerce The Lions had over 85 NFL scouts stop by Commerce to visit players and coaches, watch film and attend practice. NFL scouts were also present at home games to evaluate A&M-Commerce players. Roughly 30 NFL teams were represented and multiple position coaches were on hand at the A&M-Commerce Pro Day and Small School Combine. Former LB Danny Mason is on the practice squad with the Chicago Bears WR Ricky Collins is currently playing in the Canadian Football League
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Back-To-Back-To-Back Academic Success A&M-Commerce Athletics just opened the James Thrower Athletic Academic Center -- one of the only academic centers in the country in Division II. Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services/Senior Woman Administrator, Judy Sackfield oversees the academic support services for all student-athletes. Sackfield is responsible for NCAA degree progress, academic planning, tutorials and mentoring student-athletes. She is assisted by Athletic Academic Coordinator Victoria Kisluk. The Lions also receive academic advising and tutoring on road trips.
23-TIME Strength and Conditioning Josh Stoner Director of Sports Performance The weight room in Whitley Gym underwent a $300,000 renovation in 2015 and is one of the premier weight training facilities in the nation. The Lion football team benefits from strength and conditioning coaching from Director of Sports Performance Josh Stoner. Stoner brings experience from his time leading SEC programs and the implementation of his F.A.S.T.E.R. program will assist Lion student-athletes as they continue in their pursuit of excellence.
This is A&M-Commerce... Since 1889, A&M-Commerce has been known as a leader in providing excellent education, because it cares about people and relationships. Faculty and staff will know your name and work closely with you to understand your goals and dreams. An education is more than attending class. It s about making friends, memories and making a name for yourself. Programs More Than 100 Graduate & Undergraduate Degrees Research New mutli-million dollar science building & cutting edge educational models Students Diverse student body of approximately 8,000 undergraduate & 5,000 graduate students Internships Real-world work opportunities in nearby Dallas/Fort Worth area Financial Aid More than $75 million offered annually to assist tuition Activities More than 120 student organizations, plus recreational opportunities