Fleetwood to take over Troy State offense
Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 16, 2003
Troy State called its new offensive coordinator and said, "When you build your house, call me home."
Mark Fleetwood is expected to be introduced at a press conference during halftime of today's basketball game. Troy State head coach Larry Blakeney is expected to announce other changes to the staff as well.
He has served two stints at Troy State. He coached the defensive backs from 1991-93 and returned in 1997 to coach defensive backs and special teams.
He left following the 2000 season to join the staff at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. He served two years as quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach.
Under Fleetwood's guidance, The Citadel averaged 25.4 points per game. The passing game averaged nearly 220 yards a game and was responsible for 18 passing touchdowns.
Troy State, though, struggled through the air. Troy State averaged 127 yards a game passing and connected on only six throwing touchdowns. The Trojan passers also threw 19 interceptions on their way to a 4-8 record.
Fleetwood will be expected to improve the offensive output on a team that could not get anything going. Troy State's offense led to the loss of two streaks last season, the winning streak at home against Utah State and the consecutive game scoring streak against Arkansas.
The Razorbacks shut out the Trojans 23-0, marking the first time since Ronald Reagan was in office the Trojans had been held scoreless. Against Utah State, the Trojans did not score in the second half, blowing a 16-7 lead and could not get a first down at the end of regulation that would have ended the game. Utah State won 19-16 in overtime.