Gary Thomas takes reins for Chaparral Football 2011-12 season

College of DuPage Football opened its season Saturday, Aug. 27, with a 48-21 win over Erie Community College in New York under new interim head Coach Gary Thomas.

Thomas replaces former head Coach Fred Fimbres who left the College this summer to take the helm of Pasadena City College's team. Now in his sixth year at College of DuPage, Thomas served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach last season. During his tenure, the Chaparrals offense finished in the top three of the Midwest Football Conference in total offense for three consecutive years and broke more than 20 offensive school records.

“It's been a fairly smooth transition and we're pretty much operating as usual,” Thomas said. “I recruited them so there's an established relationship, plus I'm the athletic academic advisor.”

The team, which last year finished with a 7-5 record and won the Graphic Edge Bowl, returns with an even mix of newcomers and veteran players. Returning standouts include all-conference offensive linemen Darius Jones and Thomas Foley, all-conference running back Darnell Ratcliff. Returning defensive standouts include DJ Lemons, ranked one of the top 10 linebackers in the country, defensive back Ervin Anderson and safety Josh Pettus.

“He's a strong player and probably has about five to 10 full scholarship offers out there now,” Thomas said.

The team's popularity grew under Fimbres' tutelage and 173 student athletes were initially listed on this year's team roster. Thomas estimates he fields a dozen calls a week from those interested in playing ball for the College.

“We work hard and we've built a reputation among community colleges,” he said. “In the last five years, we've had more than 120 kids get full scholarships and COD now has representatives at 25 colleges and universities throughout the country.”

Thomas hopes to build on that reputation this year in the team's 10-game season, which has its own challenges in a grueling travel schedule.

“Our first game is on the road and it's an overnight trip, which can wear on you,” he said. “On the flip side, later in the season at our away games is where we played better last year. You're not on the bus for long and we have control over what the players eat and what time they go to bed.”

Thomas is confident heading into the season and has been working the team, practicing, running drills and reviewing tape. Much of their work is committing plays to memory and conditioning players' bodies for maximum performance on the field.

“It's a carefully choreographed ballet with bulldozers,” he said. “You're asking them to do somewhat graceful things while someone is trying to tear their head off.”

For more information on Chaparral Football, call (630) 942-2364, or visit: http://www.cod.edu/dept/athletic/teams/football.htm.