As always, some new players will get a chance to make an impact with the loss of some key seniors, although the Panthers were an underclassmen-dominated team last year so there won’t be that much changeover.

Also, the team will have a new defensive coordinator.

Tony Kunczewski, who’d been the defensive coordinator since the program’s inception in 2006, has left to become the head coach at Berry College.

Replacing Kunczewski is Terry Ursin, Jr., who had been the defensive coordinator at Holmes Community College (Miss.).

“It is going to be tough to lose our old defensive coordinator, but he has gone on and achieved a goal that was important to him, and it was important to us that he could,” Mooney said. “We have gone out and got a new coordinator who will bring a lot of intensity and fire to the defense and we will continue to work just as hard as we have been.”

Perhaps the most noteworthy change will be the Panthers’ introduction into a new conference.

After playing as an independent for five of the previous six years, the Panthers will be a part of the USA South Conference this year.

With all of the changes, Mooney said the approach of the players and coaches remains the same.

“The philosophy stays the same, and the work ethic stays the same for us,” Mooney said. “We are excited to get started.”

Mooney has a good idea of what to expect this fall after leading the team through spring practice.

Although spring practice didn’t include the incoming freshmen, most of the players who’ll be expected to make an impact this fall were there.

“In the end the same players who were on the field this spring are going to be the same players that are on this fall,” Mooney said.