It’s the dawn of a new day at Tulsa, as the Golden Hurricane attempts to recapture its winning ways.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

Tulsa severed ties with underachieving head man Bill Blankenship last December, replacing him with former Baylor assistant Philip Montgomery. Montgomery brings with him a fresh energy, as well as 16 years as an Art Briles’ disciple. Historically, when the Hurricane has flourished it was on the back of an up-tempo attack, which the new regime is in the process of installing.

And while Montgomery inherits a team that won just five games over the last two years, this is still a Tulsa program that won at least eight games seven times in the prior decade. Plus, the Hurricane returns a bevy of starters, which could make for a soft landing in 2015 for the first-year staff.

Although Tulsa has lost its way of late, this is not a program unaccustomed to winning. Quite the contrary. The Golden Hurricane, for a time, was one of the most consistent Group of Five teams. It’ll be up to Montgomery and his new staff of assistants to gradually clean house and build a bridge to a time when Steve Kragthorpe and Todd Graham’s squads were piling up points and victories.

True to his mentor, Briles, Montgomery wants to dictate the tempo with a fast-break offense that leaves opposing defenses gassed and confused. Think Baylor today or Houston about a decade ago.

The Hurricane needs to fix its defense, which was atrocious in 2014, despite being led by a veteran-laden two-deep. And while the D is unlikely to shut people down, especially in an increasingly potent West Division, it can return to being the opportunistic, big-play group that often typified the Kragthorpe and Graham years.

Now that the Hurricane has been downgraded to a tropical storm, at best, Montgomery is on board to reignite the program’s bluster. There are no doubt challenges ahead, but there are also opportunities to get out of the gate quickly. Tulsa is not without talent or a track record of competing for league titles. The new staff is aiming to manufacture a product that’s fun, fast and determined to move beyond 2013 and 2014 as quickly as possible.

For starters, the Hurricane needs to finally prove it belongs in the American, and wasn’t simply the product of being a bigger big fish in a shallow Conference USA pond.

What you need to know about the offense: In Philip Montgomery, the Golden Hurricane landed one of the hottest offensive coordinators in the country … and a terrific quarterback coach. Some of his pupils at Houston and Baylor included Kevin Kolb, Case Keenum, Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty, so the Tulsa hurlers will be in good hands. But who’ll get the keys to a souped-up, fast-paced attack that was born out of the mind of Art Briles? Dane Evans is the incumbent—and favorite—but he’ll need to cut out the turnovers to keep the job, because a new regime means all of the contenders are on equal footing. Whoever gets the ball from Montgomery will be teaming up with one of the American’s top pass-catching duos, Keevan Lucas and Keyarris Garrett. And will be protected by a line returning all five starters. The Hurricane can use a little more zip out of the backfield after 6-0, 218-pound Zack Langer led the team in rushing in 2014.

What you need to know about the defense: Just days after agreeing to coach the SMU defensive line, veteran Bill Young shifted course to be Tulsa’s new co-defensive coordinator along with Brian Norwood. Neither coach is obviously afraid of challenges. The Hurricane was utterly toothless a season ago, yielding a nation’s-high 6.9 yards per play. Nothing went right, though the returning talent isn’t quite as bad as the recent numbers indicate. In fact, there’s an all-star candidate at each level, DE Derrick Alexander, linebackers Trent Martin and Craig Suits and S Michael Mudoh. Plus, up-and-coming DT Jesse Brubaker is back after missing all but one game of 2014 to an orbital fracture. Young and Norwood will need to return to the basics this offseason, focusing on a reduction of the missed tackles and the blown assignments that beset the 2014 squad. While Philip Montgomery’s new offensive system is going to generate the most headlines in Tulsa, fixing the defense in 2015 will be every bit as important as filling the air with balls.

What to watch for on offense: The learning curve. With the hiring of Philip Montgomery came a new offensive philosophy, one that demands an up-tempo, a spreading of the field and a sandlot quality to it. And while the Golden Hurricane has a nice collection of personnel on this side of the ball, the productivity of the attack in 2015 will depend on how quickly the kids adopt the principles and nuances being brought to Tulsa by the new staff. Montgomery has high expectations and a small window between now and the opener to get his playbook fully installed.

What to watch for on defense: Hotly-contested battles at cornerback. Tulsa was carved up for 29 touchdown passes last season, and now it must break in a pair of new starters at cornerback. Of course, based on last fall’s results, some fresh blood in the secondary might not be such a bad thing. A lot will be expected from junior Will Barrow now that he’s healthy, and Johnell Celistan, Kerwin Thomas and Darrell Williams have each logged at least two starts during their careers.

The team will be far better if … the defense performs a little closer to its potential. The Hurricane has some decent individual parts; decent enough to get beyond last season’s dreadful results. Tulsa didn’t create money plays, turnovers and sacks, the way it had in recent years, and the 6.9 yards per play allowed was the worst in the FBS. Coordinator Bill Young isn’t going to turn things around in one offseason. But his kids must improve at the basics, like tackling, staying clean and avoiding blown assignments.

The Schedule: Philip Montgomery’s first game as the Golden Hurricane head coach will take place in Tulsa when Florida Atlantic visits on Sept. 5.
– An early bye week, on Sept. 26, will test the depth of Tulsa, which will finish 2015 by playing on nine consecutive weekends.
– The annual in-state showdown with Oklahoma, which has been dominated by the Sooners, takes place in Norman in Week 3.
– The Golden Hurricane received no breaks in league scheduling. In crossover games with the East, it must play two of the division’s most talented programs, UCF and Cincinnati, in consecutive weeks.
– Tulsa must capitalize on beginning the year with Florida Atlantic and New Mexico, because seven of its final ten foes participated in a bowl game in 2014.
– WATCH OUT FOR … New Mexico. The Golden Hurricane must travel to Albuquerque the week before getting another crack at the Sooners. Tulsa better be ready to stop the run or else it’ll get stampeded by Jhurell Pressley, Teriyon Gipson and the rest of the Lobo ground game.

Best Offensive Player: Junior WR Keevan Lucas. For Tulsa’s new offensive system to click, the team needs quality playmakers on the outside. With Lucas back for at least another season, go-to receiver will not be an issue. He was one of just eight FBS receivers to catch at least 100 passes in 2014, showcasing soft hands and an ability to get open. With a fast-paced attack, and Keyarris Garrett drawing attention on the other side, Lucas should be good for another 100 receptions this season.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Derrick Alexander. In Alexander, coordinator Bill Young inherits one of the top pass rushers in the American. And unlike many of the edge guys in the league, No. 54 is not a glorified outside linebacker who becomes a liability on running plays. Despite being 284 pounds, Alexander is agile and quick off the snap, two central reasons why led the 2014 Hurricane in tackles for minus yards and sacks.

Key players to a successful season: The defensive tackles. Of all the problems that the Tulsa D endured last fall, none was more demoralizing than allowing 5.5 yards per carry. Failing to stop opposing backs impacted every area of the squad, including the offense. The Hurricane is not without experienced interior linemen, but it’ll be up to upperclassmen Derrick Luetjen, Jesse Brubaker and Jerry Uwaezuoke to be more than just a year older; they’ve got to be a year better at clogging running lanes and forcing backs outside where the linebackers and safeties can track them down.

The season will be a success if … the Golden Hurricane earns a bowl bid. Sure, reaching .500 seems like an unfair bar for a new coach inheriting a team that’s won just five times over the past two seasons. But Philip Montgomery also inherits a decent corps of talent, including his predecessor’s starting quarterback, entire O-line and leading back, receiver, tackler and sacker. Plus, the Sept. 19 trip to Norman aside, few of the other 11 regular season games are out of reach, provided Tulsa can make gains on the defensive side of the ball.

Key game: Nov. 7 vs. UCF. Just how far along will Tulsa be with the new staff in charge? A trip to Chapman Stadium from one of the American’s strongest overall programs should provide plenty of answers. By this stage of the season, the Hurricane offense should be humming, and the D might be able to corral a Knight attack that has holes, particularly in the passing game. By the second half of 2015, Tulsa will be sending out signals of what kind of a team it’s going to be under Montgomery.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Yards per play: Tulsa 5.2 – Opponents 6.9
– Rushing touchdowns: Tulsa 11 – Opponents 30
– First-quarter scoring: Tulsa 59 – Opponents 117

Players You Need To Know

1. WR Keevan Lucas, Jr.
In 2013, Lucas was the emergency replacement for injured Keyarris Garrett. In 2014, he surpassed his elder teammate in the passing game pecking order by catching 101 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lucas is close to becoming a complete all-around receiver, tough over the middle, yet fast enough to take the top off the defense in an instant. The Second Team All-AAC pick adjusts well to bad ball, seeks out contact to pick up more yards and plays a lot bigger than his 5-10, 198-pound frame.

2. DE Derrick Alexander, Sr.
Entering his final season with the Golden Hurricane, Alexander is the program’s undisputed most valuable defensive player. He’s gotten better and better over the years at collapsing the pocket and forcing quarterbacks to rush their throws. In 2014, he collected a team-high dozen stops for loss and 7.5 sacks en route to a spot on the All-AAC Second Team. Plus, at 6-2 and 284 pounds, Alexander is also built to contribute to the run defense.

3. WR Keyarris Garrett, Sr.
While no longer the No. 1 threat in the Hurricane receiving corps, Garrett is still a dangerous target, with NFL aspirations. He returned from a season-ending leg injury suffered in 2013 to catch 47 balls for 698 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games last year. At 6-4 and 221 pounds, Garrett creates matchup problems every time he runs a pattern. Plus, he deftly high-balls throws, and has the hops to become virtually unstoppable on jump balls in the end zone.

4. S Michael Mudoh, Sr.
The fact that Mudoh continues to get overlooked has more to do with his team’s struggles than his individual ability. Pending what happens this season, the 5-10, 205-pounder could have a future at the next level. He’s a versatile defensive backs who plays with linebacker toughness and the range and instincts of a skilled safety. Mudoh has posted back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, making a team-best 113 stops, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2014.

5. LB Trent Martin, Jr.
If Martin can just remain healthy for an entire season, he’s going to be justly recognized as one of the American’s top linebackers. He’s missed significant time in each of the last three years, notching 64 tackles, eight stops for loss and four pass breakups in nine games in 2014. At 6-2 and 230 pounds, with one of the highest football IQs on the team, Martin is perfectly suited to excel in the middle. And excel on the sidelines someday, too, because he prepares for opponents much the way his coaches do.

6. LB Craig Suits, Soph.
The program couldn’t be much happier with the early development of Suits, a Freshman All-American a year ago. He debuted in 2014 by ranking second on the team with 81 stops, while adding 7.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Suits is an athletic 6-0, 220-pounder, with the instincts and the physicality to continue having a positive impact against the run.

7. QB Dane Evans, Jr.
Sure, there’s plenty of room for improvement, especially in terms of turnovers, but Evans took a quantum leap as a sophomore. And he should grow much further under the tutelage of new head coach Philip Montgomery. Evans started throughout 2014, under trying circumstances, completing 256-of-462 passes for 3,102 yards, 23 touchdowns and 17 picks. He has a live arm and good feet, but must straighten out his accuracy and decision-making.

8. OT Garrett Stafford, Sr.
Stafford is the O-line graybeard in Tulsa, having started 26 consecutive games dating back to the beginning of 2013. The 6-5, 300-pounder routinely graded out above 90% in 2014, using his experience and his long arms to keep opposing pass rushers at bay. Stafford is the centerpiece of a Golden Hurricane front wall that returns four starters and should be improved from a year ago.

9. RB Zack Langer, Sr.
An afterthought when the season began, Langer wound up giving the Hurricane a much-needed threat on the ground last season. Despite not starting a game until October, he led the team with 801 yards and four touchdowns on 196 carries, going over 100 yards four times during a six-game stretch. There’s absolutely nothing fancy about Langer, a north-south 6-0, 218-pounder. But he wastes no movement, and he often requires multiple tacklers to be dragged down.

10. DT Derrick Luetjen, Sr.
Luetjen is back as the vocal leader of the Tulsa D-line. He’s started every game since the beginning of the 2013 season, notching 43 tackles, 7.5 stops behind the line and 2.5 sacks a year ago. Luetjen is one of the team’s hardest workers, a determined 6-3, 291-pounder, with the nasty streak that the new staff is going to really appreciate. Luetjen is quick off the snap and willing to bring it to the whistle on every down.