A daunting challenge lies before new Buffalo head coach Turner Gill – turn around arguably the worst college football program in recent history.

UB has won a pitiful ten games since joining Division I-A football in 1999 and nothing short of a miracle seems sufficient for a coach to succeed at the school.

‘I understand (our) team’s past history,’ said Gill. ‘But we just want to focus on (the current team’s) task in the end.’

Ron Brown, Director for the Nebraska Fellowship of Christian Athletes and ESPN Broadcaster, understands the test that Gill, former star Nebraska quarterback, has at hand. He also knows Gill recognizes he is only human. Yet, Brown believes this humility is the reason Gill will triumph at Buffalo.

‘One of the reasons I feel good about him is he’s got a challenge there,’ said Brown. ‘Despite the challenge, he’s going to put his arms around a bunch of shoulder pads every day. Relate personally to those players whether they win or lose.’

Gill and Brown were assistants at Nebraska for 13 years, helping the Cornhuskers win three national championships. A long the way, Brown, the wide receivers coach, developed a strong off-the-field relationship with Gill, the quarterbacks coach, who Brown described as having an ‘earnest sincerity about him … like a little kid.’

The coaches’ friendship grew stronger on recruiting trips. On the road, they recruited top players including quarterbacks Tommy Frazier and Eric Crouch, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2001. And they always enjoyed each other’s company, whether recruiting five-star athletes, discussing their devotion to God or even chatting about the definition of success.

The coaches concluded ‘You could never win enough to please everyone,’ Brown said. Winning championships became the best way to reach out to the community. This was especially true for Gill, who was already a celebrity in Lincoln, Neb., because of his quarterback days.

Despite all his accolades, Gill is always concerned about helping others see their importance. This attitude Gill and his fellow Nebraska coaching staff shared while the program was consistently tops in the country. Now Gill brings this mindset to Buffalo.

‘My goal is to make sure everybody knows their work or their value,’ said Gill. ‘Tell every single guy what their role is and why it’s important.’

Gill and new athletic director Warde Manuel are doing all they can to motivate a team that finished a miserable 1-10 in 2005. Gill praised Manuel ‘for moving the program forward’ and the team is already benefiting from a recently installed weight room. However, the most noticeable installation for Buffalo this season could be the West Coast offense.

The offensive scheme will open up more options for a team second to last in scoring in 2005, averaging a mere 10 points per game.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Willy will take reign of the Bulls’ new offense. Willy said Gill’s knowledge as a coach and modesty as a person has the first-year starter comfortable in his new role.

‘He’s brought a lot more enthusiasm and energy to our team,’ said Willy. ‘We feel so good about what we can do this year.’

The Bulls open their schedule against Temple, which finished last in Division I-A scoring. Temple will be an excellent opportunity for Buffalo to demonstrate if they are fast learners under Gill’s tutelage. They better be: Besides opposing Mid-American Conference rivals, the Bulls also have road games at Auburn, Boston College and Wisconsin.

The brutal schedule is part of the first-time head coach’s plan. Gill wants his team to disregard past seasons and carry high expectations, especially when playing in a hostile environment.

‘They have to visualize success,’ said Gill. ‘When adversity comes you need to put some positive things in your mind to overcome.’

Gill’s full-steam ahead attitude is all about bringing confidence back to a team stuck in the dredges of college football. The strategy is to just know your role, control what you can and forget about the rest. Gill doesn’t expect a miracle during his tenure at Buffalo, but with his football know-how and his tough-love mentality the Bulls might not need one.

‘I’ve heard him say some tough things,’ said Brown. ‘But he says it in a very loving way. You can see that in his eye and in his heart. He’s a formidable guy.’

LEVIN’S LOCKS:

No. 11 Florida St. (+3) at No. 12 Miami (Fla.)

Monday, 8:00 P.M., ESPN

Expect this classic rivalry to be ugly this year. Not bench-clearing brawl ‘ugly’ either. With both coaches saying their teams are unprepared, the difference-maker will be ‘Noles QB Drew Weatherford, who FSU coaches say is in game-day form.

Florida St. 14, Miami 7

North Texas (+41) at No. 3 Texas

Saturday, noon, No TV

Vince Young is gone. Can the defending champs overcome the Mean Green without its all-everything QB? Sure, but playing before ‘the eyes of Texas’ will give replacement Colt McCoy some first-half jitters providing mercy to its lowly Sun Belt opponent.

Texas 42, North Texas 3

Georgia Tech (+7) at No. 2 Notre Dame

Saturday, 8:00 P.M., ABC

Last year Georgia Tech spoiled Auburn’s season opener, yet the erratic squad finished 7-5. Brady Quinn has the Fighting Irish on a mission for BCS Bowl glory and himself on track for the Heisman Trophy. Both bids start with a flattening of the Yellow Jackets.

Notre Dame 34, Georgia Tech 24

No. 9 California (+2) at No. 23 Tennessee

Saturday, 5:30 P.M., ESPN

The Vols, whose 16-game bowl streak was snapped last year after a 5-6 record, will show Cal the strength of a middle-of-the-road team in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee 27, California 21

Syracuse (+14.5) at Wake Forest

Saturday, 6:30 P.M., ESPN360

Syracuse tuition is expensive. Luckily, there are ways to lower the cost like financial aid, scholarships and ridiculous betting lines. SU was terrible last year, but there is no way the mediocre Demon Deacons are two touchdowns better than SU. In fact, a fired-up Orange could come back from Winston-Salem with a win.

Syracuse 17, Wake Forest 16

Published on August 28, 2006 at 12:00 pm