Bass Named Interim Head Football Coach

Hubbard Promoted to Interim Associate Head Coach

QUINCY, Ill. – Quincy University vice president for intercollegiate athletics Marty Bell announced Sunday (May 7) evening the promotion of Gary Bass to interim head coach through the end of the 2017 season. Bell also announced the promotion of defensive coordinator Khanis Hubbard to interim associate head coach.

Bass, 33, was previously the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and strength & conditioning coach. He also served as the Hawks' tutor of the offensive line. His promotion to interim head coach follows the departure of Tom Pajic, who accepted a position with the Temple University football staff.

"I am pleased to name Gary Bass interim head coach of our football program," Bell said. "Gary's work ethic and his passion for his student-athletes make him the right fit for the program as we look to the 2017 season and evaluate for the future. He has been instrumental in the tremendous growth of the program over the past five years and I am confident in his ability to lead the Hawks this season.

"I am glad to also announce the promotion for Khanis Hubbard," said Bell. "Restructuring in this way plays to the strengths of our current staff. Khanis has shown a great ability to connect with our student-athletes and I look forward to seeing him flourish in this role."

Bass joined the QU staff prior to the 2012 season, serving as the offensive line coach before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2015.

"I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity," Bass said. "Having been here for five years, I truly care about this University and football program. Coach Pajic laid the groundwork to get this program rolling in the right direction and we want to take this to the next level.

"You get into this job first and foremost to have an impact on young men's lives and football can play a large role in that. I want to do everything we can to represent Quincy University in the best possible way."

The Hawks rated out as the second-best offense in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last season by both points and yards, scoring 30.7 points per game and gaining 409 yards per game. They ranked ninth in the GLVC in time of possession.

The Hawks boasted a dynamic passing attack with senior wideout Eric Poindexter garnering Don Hansen All-America honorable mention honors, ranking seventh nationally in receiving yards (1,331) and 13^th in receiving touchdowns (13) and third in all-purpose yards per game (193).

Quincy also ranked third in the GLVC in rushing, averaging 154.6 yards per game last season. Redshirt-freshman running back Jaylan James (St. Louis, Mo./Miller Career Academy) was fourth in the GLVC in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Three offensive linemen were named All-GLVC last season, including a first team nod for rising senior guard Jared Carlton (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem). Rising senior tight end Owen Schoenenberger (Evansville, Wis.) was also named to the first team.

The Hawks have ranked in the top five in the GLVC in rushing in each of the last three seasons, including 2014 when running back Chris Harris (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) was named the GLVC Freshman of the Year.

Hubbard is entering his fifth season on the coaching staff, beginning as the team's defensive line coach before a promotion to defensive coordinator prior to the 2015 season. He is still charged with guiding the defensive line and serves as the Hawks' community service liaison, leading the program's Big Hawk Little Hawk reading program and its annual Red Cross Blood Drive among other service projects.

"The coolest thing about Khanis and I is that we have been together since 2001 when we both played at Catawba College," Bass said. "With us, there's no ego. We just want to do the best job for our young men, the football program and the University. I've been with Khanis for 16 years – that's half my life. I couldn't be more blessed to have him alongside to take us to the next level."

Last season, the Hawks showed a marked improvement defensively, ranking second in the GLVC in total defense, giving up just 323 yards per game. The Hawks had the top pass defense in the GLVC, allowing only 183 yards per game through the air.

Junior cornerback Adehkeem Brown (St. Louis, Mo./Ladue) was named a Don Hansen All-America honorable mention selection and was fourth in the nation in interceptions per game (six total). Six defensive players were named All-GLVC last season and five will return in 2017.

The Hawks will fill out the remainder of the coaching staff in the next couple weeks and will have a schedule announcement in the coming days.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Adehkeem Brown: CB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#66 Jared Carlton: OL; 6' 2"; Junior

#28 Chris Harris: RB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#30 Jaylan James: RB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#13 Eric Poindexter: WR; 5' 11"; Senior

#88 Owen Schoenenberger: TE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Adehkeem Brown
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: CB

#66 Jared Carlton
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OL

#28 Chris Harris
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: RB

#30 Jaylan James
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

#13 Eric Poindexter
: 5' 11"; Senior
: WR

#88 Owen Schoenenberger
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: TE