Jeff Conaway walked out to the middle of Champions Stadium in Springdale and blew his whistle.
Shiloh Christian’s football players raced from the sideline to meet him on the blue and gold SC logo in the center of the field, signaling the end to their first practice of the season under their new coach.
Conaway, a former Shiloh assistant, was hired in July to replace former coach Josh Floyd.
Conaway coached under Floyd before becoming the head coach at Greene County Tech in 2008, compiling a 26-37 record with two playoff appearances.
When the opportunity to take over one of the state’s most successful football programs came along, Conaway said he could not pass it up.
“As the process took place, I knew that if I was given that opportunity to take the job that it would be a no-brainer for me,” Conaway said. “Being here the last time for four years, this is just a special place.”
Floyd won four state championships and 99 games over a 10-year span at Shiloh Christian before leaving in June for Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama.
Because of the timing, Shiloh Christian officials sought a coach who was familiar with the school, the church that is affiliated with the school and the football program in place.
Conaway was the logical choice.
“It was great to get a coach who knew so much about the school,” senior wide receiver/defensive back Reed Lowe said. “We didn’t have to completely change the offense. We changed some things, but a lot of the concepts are the same.
“We took what we had and what Coach Conaway brought with him and combined them into one, so it’s been a smooth transition.”
Conaway and Floyd were college roommates at Ouachita Baptist University, so their relationship extended well beyond the playing field. When Floyd was named the Saints’ coach in 2004, Conaway was one of his first hires as the offensive coordinator. Success came quickly as the team won a state title in Class 3A and played for another state title.
Conaway said he knows that replacing Floyd won’t be easy.
“Nobody can replace Josh Floyd,” he said. “He is a legend as a player here and as a coach here. By no means would I ever try and replace Josh Floyd. He’s one of my best friends. That’s what was so sweet about the deal, his reception of me, his ability to give me direction to make the transition smother.
“It’s really odd because I’m constantly looking around for Josh Floyd. I don’t really know Shiloh without him, and I miss him. We still talk a lot.”
Crosby Tuck was a record-setting receiver for the Saints and was coached by Conaway. Tuck played at Arkansas before an injury derailed his playing career.
Tuck joined the Shiloh Christian staff last season when he was hired by Floyd as an assistant coach. Floyd took former offensive coordinator and Saints graduate Austin Tucker with him to Alabama, so Conaway moved quickly to name Tuck his offensive coordinator.
“He taught me a ton of what I know right now,” Tuck said of Conaway. “So to get this chance to coach with him is something that is really exciting to me. I feel very blessed.”
Conaway said leaving Greene County Tech was a tough decision, considering that is where he grew up and where most of his family remains. But the lure of coaching at a traditional powerhouse that has won seven state championships, is stocked with returning skill position players and is moving down from Class 5A to 4A was too good to pass up.
“We want to build on the tradition that guys like [Gus] Malzahn, Chris Wood and Josh Floyd built here,” Conaway said.
The Saints open the season Thursday, Sept. 4, when they take on defending Class 3A state champion Charleston at 5:30 p.m. at Mayo-Thompson Stadium in Fort Smith.