Sam Houston’s Uphill Climb: A Conversation with Coach Will Cardin

Champ Jackson, Saturday Night Chronicles

The jump from FCS to FBS is never easy, and for Sam Houston State, the growing pains have been evident. Once a powerhouse in the FCS ranks, the Bearkats have struggled to find the right coach who can make it work at the FBS level. The Cardin era has started with a 1-3 record, and while there have been flashes of potential, the road ahead remains daunting. Saturday’s matchup against Jacksonville State presented an opportunity for Coach Will Cardin and his team to go 2-2 and take a step toward righting the ship.

For most of the game, it looked like the Bearkats might achieve that. However, their secondary struggled throughout the contest, particularly late in the fourth quarter when Jacksonville State mounted a decisive comeback. The absence of their top two cornerbacks, who transferred during the offseason, has already exposed cracks in Sam Houston’s defense in year one of the transition. Leading by 7 with the game on the line, the Bearkats couldn’t hold off Jacksonville State’s final surge, ultimately falling 42-35 in heartbreaking fashion.

Despite the setback, there’s no denying the effort and fight this team showed, and Coach Cardin was gracious enough to reflect on the game and what it means for the future of the Bearkats’ program.

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Champ: Coach Will! Champ with Saturday Night Chronicles here.

Do you have a few minutes to answer a few questions?

Coach Will: Currently prepping for next week, so text is all I got.

Champ: Tough loss coming out of Jacksonville State. What have you learned about the Bearkats through your first few games as the head coach?

Coach Will: I’ve learned that we’ve got players with heart that keep on getting better each week. The score may not reflect that, but players are progressing and we’re coming together as one. A lot to learn from last week, but we definitely are showing that we can battle.

Champ: Diamonds can only be made under pressure, Coach. What about Sam Houston State drew you to it?

Coach Will: The atmosphere, for one. It’s also in the heart and soul of the great state of Texas. I believe that Sam Houston can be a top contender. It isn’t just a team—it’s a family here.

Champ: Just to clarify, you’re saying that Madisonville is the heart and soul of Texas?

Coach Will: Huntsville, sir. Plenty of history in this part of town.

Champ: That explains why I missed the last home game.

Being announced the head coach late in the offseason has its challenges. What was the most difficult part of managing your roster coming into the season?

Coach Will: Well, I wouldn’t use the word challenging. You come in with an open mind and bring out the talent in the players that you have that are willing to put in the work. I also have to earn the trust of these guys, and I’m also putting in the work to do so.

Champ: Speaking from the heart—I like it.

What is your message to the recruits that you are going after? What are you selling that will get kids excited to be a Kat?

Coach Will: I’m selling the idea of joining something bigger than all of us. I want everyone to be driven through Christ and the brotherhood they will have here. Selling is the wrong terminology, to be honest.

Champ: Last question for you, Coach. When was the last time you soiled your own pants with fecal matter?

Coach Will: Definitely after the loss last week. Piss drunk. You understand.

Champ: Thank you for your time, Coach. Good luck the rest of the season.

Coach Will: You too, sir!

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Sam Houston State’s transition to the FBS hasn’t been without its challenges, but Coach Will Cardin’s passion for the program and belief in its potential are evident. Starting 1-3 is far from the ideal beginning, and the loss to Jacksonville State served as a stark reminder of the work still left to do. However, the landscape of Conference USA provides a real opportunity for the Bearkats to make their mark. With Troy and Texas State standing as the primary competition, C-USA is a winnable conference—nothing like the depth and intensity of the AAC or the Sun Belt.

What makes Sam Houston State especially intriguing is its location. Situated near talent-rich areas like Houston, Dallas, and Louisiana, the Bearkats have a golden opportunity to recruit the type of players who can elevate the program to new heights. Eventually, a school in Texas figures it out, and Sam Houston State’s proximity to some of the best high school football talent in the country gives it a unique edge in the race to become a true contender.

Much of that success will hinge on Coach Will Cardin. In his short time as head coach, he has already begun reshaping the culture of the program. Turning around a losing mindset is no small task, and it’s one that takes time, patience, and an unwavering belief in the process. Coach Cardin has shown resolve in tackling that uphill battle, working to instill a sense of pride, trust, and accountability in his players.

For Sam Houston State, the road to FBS success won’t be easy, but with a coach committed to building the program the right way and a team hungry to prove itself, the Bearkats are poised to take significant steps forward. The journey may be long, but the foundation is being laid—and the future looks bright for Sam Houston State.