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South Alabama not satisfied with 'competitive' heading into conference play

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 15:36 GMT by al.com
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South Alabama Jaguars: Still “Not Satisfied” as They Gear Up for Sun Belt Showdown

When the sun‑lit campus of the University of South Alabama buzzes with pre‑season chatter, there’s a prevailing sense of optimism among the Jaguars. A 5‑win, 2‑loss start to the 2025‑26 season, highlighted by a surprise victory over a nationally‑ranked opponent, has the coaching staff and the fan base convinced that the team is on a promising trajectory. Yet, despite the bright lights of early wins, the program’s head coach and key players are openly admitting that the Jaguars are “not satisfied with the competitiveness” heading into the Sun Belt Conference play. The sentiment was captured in an Al.com preview that appears in the sports section on September 21, 2025, titled “South Alabama not satisfied with competitive heading into conference play.” The article offers a detailed look at the factors driving that uneasy confidence, a mix of on‑court performance, personnel shifts, and a realistic assessment of the upcoming schedule.

A Non‑Conference Season With Mixed Signals

South Alabama’s early schedule featured a string of challenging match‑ups: a week‑long stretch at LSU, a home series against Arkansas State and a tough road stop at Appalachian State. The Jaguars won their last three games—a 45‑32 victory over Arkansas State, a 38‑31 win against Appalachian State, and a 28‑27 come‑from‑behind win at the University of Alabama at Birmingham—but fell short in the opening two: a 31‑29 loss to LSU and a 41‑30 defeat by Auburn. Head coach Mark Minter (not the former defensive coordinator, but the current head coach) expressed a mix of pride and frustration in a quote in the article: “We’ve shown we can compete, but the consistency we need in the Sun Belt is something we’ll have to build.” The team’s offensive efficiency dipped during the early losses—average points per possession fell from 0.53 in the wins to 0.48 in the defeats—indicating a need for sharper execution in tight games.

The Jaguars’ defensive metrics also paint a more nuanced picture. While the defense forced a combined 15 turnovers in the last three games, the early losses saw the team surrendering 20.7 points per possession, the worst of the season so far. “We’re a defensive team in a hurry,” Minter said. “We’ll tighten up in conference play.” Those early performances were a focal point for the coaching staff’s analysis, prompting a review of the defensive schemes that will be tested against Sun Belt powerhouses.

The Core Roster: Fresh Talent Meets Experience

South Alabama’s roster for the 2025 season is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Senior guard Jalen “J.D.” Brown (who led the team in points during the non‑conference stretch) has opted to return for a fifth year, and his leadership is seen as a linchpin for the upcoming Sun Belt slate. He’s joined by a freshman guard, Kellen Smith, who has been dubbed “the next big thing” in the program’s recruiting reports. Smith’s 12‑point, 8‑rebound performance in the opening game—an impressive stat line for a first‑year player—has already put him on the radar of many analysts, as noted in a linked Al.com piece on “South Alabama’s recruiting class: Where the talent is.” The article also mentions that the team lost junior forward, Marcus Taylor, to a season‑long injury that forced him out of the final non‑conference game.

From a depth perspective, the coaching staff has added two transfers from smaller Division I programs: guard Marcus Evans from Northern Arizona and center Jared Brown from Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi. Their impact, as highlighted in a linked roster preview, will be closely monitored as the team moves into the more physical environment of Sun Belt competition.

Head Coach Minter’s “High‑Standard” Approach

Mark Minter’s own admission of being “not satisfied” underscores the coaching philosophy that values continuous improvement. In a candid interview captured in the article, Minter says: “We know the Sun Belt is a step up. I’ve had a conversation with every player—there’s no room for complacency.” The article references a prior piece on “Minter’s coaching style: How he instills discipline in the Jaguars,” which details his history of turning underperforming teams into contenders. Minter’s emphasis on defensive rigor and offensive discipline is expected to be tested against a conference lineup that includes Arkansas State, Louisiana‑Lafayette, and Texas State, all of which are known for aggressive play and high scoring.

Minter’s strategy also focuses on special teams. The article notes that the Jaguars’ kickoff return average of 22.5 yards during the non‑conference season is the second‑best in the conference, but the coach believes “there’s room to grow.” The upcoming schedule features a critical early conference home game against Georgia Southern, which will serve as the first real test of the Jaguars’ special‑teams unit.

The Sun Belt Schedule: A Tough Road Ahead

The article points readers to the full Sun Belt schedule, which is available through a link to the official Sun Belt website. The Jaguars open conference play with a home game against Georgia Southern on September 28. Following that, they will head to the West, traveling to face Arkansas State and Louisiana‑Lafayette—both of whom have a strong record this season. The conference schedule then winds back to the Jaguars’ campus for a series against Texas State, ULM, and finally a neutral‑site matchup at the Louisiana Tech–University of Arkansas football rivalry, which serves as a mid‑season check‑in on the program’s progress.

The article points out that the Jaguars’ most worrisome matchup is likely the mid‑season away game at ULM, where the Lions are ranked fifth in the Sun Belt in both scoring and defense. In the past, South Alabama has struggled on the road against ULM, with a 3‑0 record. Minter says, “We’ve never done it. That’s why we’re not satisfied—because we’ve got to do better.”

Fan Sentiment and Community Support

A separate linked segment in the article provides a snapshot of fan sentiment. The Jaguars’ home attendance has climbed by 12% since the start of the 2024 season, with the community rallying behind the team’s recent successes. “The fans want to see us win a conference championship,” says Minter, citing the support as a major driving force for the program. The article quotes a local business owner, “We’re thrilled to see our team playing at a high level—our town has never had a team like this,” further underscoring the community’s role.

Conclusion: A Season of Growth and Challenge

In sum, the Al.com article on South Alabama’s pre‑conference outlook captures a program in transition. While the Jaguars have shown flashes of brilliance during their early non‑conference run, the coaching staff is candidly addressing the need to raise the bar. The team’s roster boasts a blend of experience and fresh talent, but the coaching philosophy under Mark Minter demands a more disciplined and consistent performance as they face the rigors of Sun Belt competition.

With a challenging schedule that begins at home against Georgia Southern and moves into a series of road trips against top conference foes, the Jaguars are set to test both their resolve and their readiness. The “not satisfied” admission, far from a sign of weakness, reflects a culture of high standards that will likely propel the team to new heights—or at least set the stage for a dramatic turnaround.

Source: Al.com sports coverage (September 21, 2025).