Coach Jake Calls Out Critics: ‘We Will Be the G5 Team in the Playoffs’

SNC: Coach Jake! This is Jacob Clayton, resident PAC (1)2 reporter for the SNC filling in for our absentee G5 reporter while he is on sabbatical. Have time for a few questions?

Coach Jake: Absolutely I do. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about Liberty.

SNC: Any big focal points you plan on instilling in the program in your first year with the Liberty Flames?

Coach Jake: With any transitional year, it’s important to analyze what worked well for the previous regime and also put our own fingerprints on the program to build for the future. Liberty has had great success recently with Coach Freeze and Coach Chadwell. But we are going to turn things up to take the Flame to the next level.

Our focal point will be working within and expanding out. Get our guys to buy in, get our students to buy in, and get our community to rally behind us. Support from those three pillars will be what takes us to the next level.

SNC: Wow, Coach, sounds like you have a real vision for this program. Can’t wait to see how that translates to the field.

Coming off of last season’s embarrassing bowl performance against Oregon, do the returning players have a chip on their shoulder towards the fans who think G5 teams can’t compete with the big boys?

Coach Jake: Look, there is no way around it. We play a different game than they do. Being a coach at a Power 5 school vs. a Group of 5 school is completely different. Our jobs are harder than theirs are. Building our program is harder than it is for the Power teams. We have less money, fewer resources, a smaller donor base, and fewer staff personnel.

Our kids want to go out there and show the nation that we deserve to be on that field. A chip on our shoulder? Hell yes. And I expect us to do exactly that. There isn’t another G5 team that has the returning talent, experience, and skill level we do. We will be the playoff G5 team. Write that.

SNC: You’re showing a lot of confidence in your team, Coach. Based on what you’re saying, Liberty should likely be favored in every game it plays next year. And speaking of next year's schedule, you have a very favorable schedule. Laughably easy, some may say. How does that factor into your preparation for the season?

Coach Jake: We are prepping for the last game of the season. The Natty vs. Ohio State. I don’t control my schedule; it’s not my fault other teams in the country don’t want to get burned by the Flame. All we can do is beat the team in front of us, which we will.

I’ve heard the talks and the rumbles from those at SNC and other outlets, “our schedule is soft,” “we don’t play anyone,” “why are they the Flame and their logo is a bird?” Well, you know what? To win as much as we have with different coaches, all that shows me is that we are a program that can be sustained. Think of us like LSU: no matter who the head coach is, they win championships. So will we.

SNC: Wow, Coach, certainly no lack in confidence in you. One final question.

With the new age of college athletics and the recent deplorable actions of coaches like Jim Schlossnagle, fans are becoming apprehensive about the word of their head coaches and their loyalty to their programs. Do you care to address the rumors that you are already actively looking to leave your current role to pursue the same position at Air Force?

Coach Jake: The issue is when coaches lie about their intentions. While I’m the head coach of Liberty University, I will do everything (within the rules) to win and bring us a championship. If the Air Force, or UNT, or any other program comes after me for my services, that means we are doing an outstanding job at Liberty. I will give this university every opportunity to keep me, because they have given me my first opportunity to lead a team.

Never say never, but we have a chance to do something special in 2024. I'd rather focus on this season than hypotheticals.

SNC: Wow, Coach, sounds like you are already coaching with one foot out the door.

Thanks for your time and good luck on the upcoming season!