James Parker played with a lot of swagger on the field.

Now, the former Lobo standout at defensive back, is making the transition from graduate assistant to full-time defensive back's coach.

"Getting this opportunity was big time," Parker said. "It shows that when you come in, put your head down and go to work for a certain amount of time that people are going to notice."

Parker appeared in 35 games during his career with the Lobos from 2018-2022.

He earned third-team American Southwest Conference honors in 2021 after he tied for fifth on the squad with 37 tackles while he held the team lead in pass breakups (7) and fumble recoveries (2).

The Killeen native finished his career at Sul Ross State with 152 total tackles, 19 pass deflections and 103 solo tackles.

Last spring, he was named a graduate assistant before being elevated to the full-time title in July 2023.

"We're just trying to keep a level head and try to improve the guys. The guys are the most important thing right here," Parker added. "It's about developing these players as young men and then as football players. My biggest thing is trying to send these guys home as a different character."

>> NEW FACES ON STAFF:

There will be a lot of new coaches on staff for the fall 2023 campaign under head coach Barry Derickson.

Cadron Davis enters his first year as assistant head coach / defensive coordinator while Christian Escobar takes over as the new offensive coordinator / wide receivers' coach.

Eric Daniels serves as the co-offensive coordinator / run game / offensive line coach while Jeremy Aquino is now the new run game coordinator / defensive line coach.

Familiar faces, Billy Jack Ray (running backs), Fowler Freund (special teams coordinator / tight ends) and Kurt Harmening (chief of staff / scouting and recruiting) return to Alpine for another season.

New graduate assistants include Isaiah Bravo (quarterbacks) and Robert Cervantes (defensive line).

The new list of student assistants features a slew of former Lobos like Tyshawn Thomas (linebackers), Brandon Finger (safeties), Isaiah Villareal (wide receivers) and Andy Rivera (offensive line).

For Parker, he hopes to bring a lot of energy to the gridiron with his defensive back unit.

"I make sure these guys come out every day with juice, confidence, swagger and a tough mindset," he said. "Anything can happen at DB, but they got to bounce back. It's all about confidence and that mental mindset."

>> TIME TO WIN:

It's been seven years since the Lobo football program had a winning season and 27 years since Sul Ross State was named co-champion of the ASC.

The time to win is now, especially with a competitive Lone Star Conference schedule on the horizon in 2024.

Last season Sul Ross State went 4-6 overall (4-4 in ASC play), which doubled the win total from the previous year.

"We got a lot of guys that want to be here and put in the work," Parker said. "We see the program already going into a higher level.

"Everybody's eyes are on us. Now it's time to show them. We're going to come out there and do it to the best of our ability."

>> KICKOFF TIME:

The season begins Saturday, Sept. 2 on the road with a 6 p.m. MST kickoff against Western New Mexico University.

Sul Ross State has five home games this season — Eastern New Mexico University (12 p.m. CST | Sept. 9), Wayland Baptist University (12 p.m. CST | Sept. 16), Texas Lutheran University (6 p.m. CST | Sept. 30), Hardin-Simmons (12 p.m. CST | Oct. 21) and Howard Payne (1 p.m. CST | Nov. 4 | Homecoming).

The goal for Parker and company will be to improve every day and not grow complacent.

"Once we're all competing as a team then that's when we get more W's on that scoreboard," he said.