Terrence Graves knows a thing or two about football and architecture.
The two are closely related, as Southern’s head football coach explained during Wednesday’s SWAC Football Media Day.
“Once you lay the foundation, then you can build the house. You don’t build a house from the roof down, you build from the foundation up,” Graves said of installing a culture that helped the Jaguars to an 8-5 record and the SWAC West title in 2024. “Once those guys understood and bought in, that set the tone for the culture. They know I’m a defensive guy, so I’ve been aggressive. I’m the eighth of nine children. My guys understand I like the blue-collar, lunchpail type of guy, and that allowed us to have the success we have.”
Going into his second full year as head coach, Graves is hopeful Southern, picked to repeat as division champions, will adopt the workmanlike attitude of defensive lineman Ckelby Givens, the SWAC preseason Defensive Player of the year.
“He’s very humble, a man of faith, and doesn’t bring attention to himself; he leads by example,” Graves said. “He works on being better day. On the way over here, we talked about the award, and he said, “That’s preseason, Coach. It’s nice, but it doesn’t mean anything if I don’t do it in the postseason.”
And that’s where Southern will try to make amends following a tough performance against eventual SWAC and Celebration Bowl champion Jackson State.
“I like this team. This team is really growing, taking on my personality and attitude. I think we can get better and execute,” Graves said. “We turned the ball over four times in the championship game, and then the doors were blown off. We’ve got to do a better job of executing and being opportunistic on defense and in the kicking game to give ourselves our best chance to win.
The quarterback situation is another area where opportunity exists, and Graves has several options: returning starter Jalen Woods, Mississippi Valley State transfer Jamari Jones, true freshman Dillon Compton, and Cam’ron McCoy, who was on the Jackson State team that defeated Southern for the conference title a year ago.
Graves said, “I’m pleased with Mark Frederick (offensive coordinator/assistant head coach) and Fred McNair (quarterbacks coach) and what they’re doing to get these guys prepared and ready to go for this season.”
