The Selma Times-Journal

Larry Blakeney is no stranger to change.

When he took the helm of the Troy State program in the early 1990s, the administration had the goal of moving from the Division II quagmire to Division I-AA.

The Trojans made the move and proceeded to become constantly one of the perennial powers of that division, advancing deep into the National Championship Playoffs twice, losing to Marshall in West Virginia and then to Montana in the snow.

At the close of the 1990s, the administration once again felt it was time for the then Troy State football program to grow a third time, this time was the last time, with the program moving to the top tier in college football, Division I-A.

The move made Blakeney only the second coach in the nation to be with a program through all three moves.

The veteran coach has also witnessed another change, Troy State changed to Troy University in the fall of 2004.

Since making the jump to DI-A, the Trojans have basically taken on all comers.

In their first year, they played Nebraska and beat Mississippi State. Two years later, they received votes in the Associated Press’s Top 25 poll with back to back wins over Marshall on the road and then Missouri at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

This season, the Trojans are hot and cold depending on the week. Due to the loss of 14 starters and their freshman quarterback from a year ago due to grades, Blakeney found himself with a quarterback that is another true freshman.

The Trojans this season have been struggling though, not so much with their foes, but with consistency. As a college football coach, Blakeney and his staff have had three of the last four Saturdays off.

According to Blakeney though, the schedules are set-up according to television deals.

Despite the way things are going, Blakeney and his staff are teaching the Trojans to play football the respectable way.

This weekend, the 3-4 Trojans will be on the road in action against the Ragin’ Cajuns of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.