By Austin Wagoner

Something has been missing. Something Emporia State hasn’t been able to find for quite some time. The Hornets have not had a winning season since 2003, but with the addition of Coach Bryce Saia, ESU looks to have found its missing piece to the winning puzzle.

Travis Lee, senior sociology major and cornerback, shares the sentiment.

“He’s been around nothing but winners. Everywhere he goes, they win,” Lee said. “You can kind of feel victory when you’re around him.”

Saia, assistant head coach and secondary coach, last coached for the Arizona Rattlers, an Arena Football League team that made the playoffs a season ago. He was also a defensive line coach for the NCAA Division I Northern Illinois Salukis from 2003-2007.

“Due to the economy, that whole league folded,” Saia said. “Coach Higgins and I knew some mutual people…the word got out and he heard I needed a job, so he called me. The rest is history.”

Coach Saia has been coaching around the country for 14 years, gaining valuable experience by coaching every position on defense. Saia focuses mostly on the defensive backs for Emporia State, and his players know he is devoted to making them better every day.

Kameron Gee, cornerback and sophomore health promotions major, appreciates the attitude Saia brings to the team.

“He wants us to have that swag,” Gee said. “I think it important to have that in the secondary, our play on the field should reflect what Coach Saia teaches.”

Lee, who is in his fourth year with the ESU football program, has worked with four different secondary coaches. In his tenure at Emporia State, the team has won a total of 11 games, one of which includes last Thursday’s romping of Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Although the last several years haven’t been the brightest for the team, Lee has definitely bought into Saia’s new philosophy – a philosophy that will hopefully propel the Hornets over the .500 mark.

“His philosophy is strong and it builds a good foundation; it holds you accountable,” Lee said. “It’s ‘no excuses,’ and its ‘everyday, let’s get better.’”

Even though the Hornets secured an easy win their first week, Saia still sees room for improvement.

“I think overall we played good. A win is a win; we only get so many of these a year,” Saia said. “Always take a win, and at the same time there are always things we can improve on.”

Lucky for Saia, those improvements can be spotlighted next week, as the Hornets travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., to do battle with Augustana College.

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