Leaders of the FCS Speak Out at MVFC Media Days

The Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Days kicked off on July 23 with remarks from conference commissioner Patty Viverito, who is entering her 40th and final year in the position. Then, five of the coaches of the conference's teams addressed the media on the first day of the two-day event.

Eleven teams comprise the MVFC. It had been a dozen, but the Western Illinois Leathernecks left for the Ohio Valley Conference in the offseason. And, Commissioner Viverito noted that Missouri State is leaving the MVFC next year for Conference USA.

Below are summaries of remarks made by the five coaches who addressed reporters on the first day of MVFC Media Days:

North Dakota State Bison

First-year coach Tim Polasek takes over for Matt Entz who left Fargo, N.D., for an assistant coaching job with the USC Trojans. The Bison are coming off an 11-4 season in which NDSU made it to the FCS national semifinal, where they fell to the Montana Grizzlies in a thrilling double-overtime clash.

The Bison began playing football in 1894 and have won 17 national championships and 37 conference championships.

Polasek complemented Entz and noted that he left the Bison program in good shape. The coach also gave a tip of the cap to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on winning their second consecutive FCS national championship.

North Dakota State | MVC Media Days — © Bruce Stidham/USA TODAY NETWORK

Indiana State Sycamores

The alma mater of legendary Larry Bird is coming off a rough year. The Sycamores went 1-10 last year, with their lone win coming against Western Illinois in Terre Haute, Ind. Curt Mallory is entering his seventh season at the helm.

Mallory singled out key performers—redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Owens and running back Plez Lawrence who had a breakout game last year against Murray State. The coach expects great things from these two in 2024.

Indiana State Sycamores Coach Curt Mallory | MVC Media Days — © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Murray State Racers

The Racers struggled to a 2-9 record last year, with only one conference win against Indiana State in Murray, Ky. Jody Wright, who has coaching experience on the staffs of Alabama, South Carolina, the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants, has taken over coaching responsibilities for the Murray State program.

Wright told the media that he has fallen in love with the Murray area and that the Racers now just need to "win some games." He said the team's fans have been great, providing a terrific environment in which to play. Noting that none of the players on the team are likely to receive any NIL money, he happily stressed that they play for the love of the game.

In more general terms, Wright commented on the strength of the MVFC "from top to bottom," crediting the conference's status in the FCS to excellent coaching and elite play on the offensive and defensive lines.

Youngstown State Penguins

The Penguins had a promising season in 2023, recording an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 in conference. Veteran coach and Ohio native Doug Phillips is entering his fifth year leading the Penguins in northeastern Ohio.

Phillips said that he and his team were excited about their FCS playoff berth last year and hope to build on that success. They have approximately 40 "new faces" on the team but believe the new players will acclimate quickly because the YSU staff was "very intentional" with its recruiting.

The coach stressed that the Penguins' offensive line is the strength of the team. YSU intends to exploit that strength by deploying a potent rushing attack.

Phillips also expressed optimism about the future, noting that he and his staff have had recent recruiting success, taking advantage of a wealth of talent in the local area.

Youngstown State vs. Missouri State | MVC Media Days — © Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Northern Iowa Panthers

UNI had a mediocre season in 2023, recording a 6-5 overall record and a 5-3 record in the MVFC. Long-time Panthers coach and alumnus Mark Farley enters his 24th season at the helm in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he has put together an impressive 179-101 record and led UNI to seven conference championships.

The Panthers start the year off with one home game but then have a long stretch on the road. Farley commented on the "challenging" nature of that schedule and stressed the need for his players to develop camaraderie and a positive mental outlook.

Noting that the Panthers have only three returning starters on defense, Farley lamented the circumstance that scouts from FBS teams routinely assess and poach young and talented MVFC players. The coach said he believes improper "tampering" has occurred in some instances.

Farley talked about the Air Raid offense his team features and how that style of play differs from the approaches of many MVFC programs, which have trended toward fewer snaps with huddles and power run games rather than the spread-out hurry-up offenses prevalent in other leagues.