DALLAS - “This is a big win for A&M-Commerce,” Texas A&M-Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin said during the press conference to introduce the Lions new head football coach, Clint Dolezel.

It’s not unusual for an introductory press conference for the discussion to focus on the need to win. But it’s not like Texas A&M-Commerce hasn’t had success. The Lions finished their inaugural season in FCS with a 5-6 overall record and had a highly successful eight-year run in Division II before beginning the transition.

However, there is a reason a press conference was held on the 20th floor of the A&M-Commerce Dallas campus Thursday morning. The Lions were unable to come to an agreement with David Bailiff on a contract extension. While plenty of rumors surround the university’s decision to change its football leadership, it’s clear the issues were more significant than the football program.

And the change wasn’t all about winning either. Granted, the Lions want to win while transitioning to FCS and build a tradition of finishing each season in FCS as they did at Division II - in the playoffs. However, a section of the alums graduated from East Texas State and continue to feel disconnected since the school changed its name to Texas A&M-Commerce.

“When we embarked on this search, we were looking for a new leader of the program that knew and loved Commerce, didn’t have to use a GPS to find (the school), and has a love and a passion for it second to none,” Interim Director of Athletics Eric Coleman said.

So, the Lions turn to Dolezel, the first alum to hold the position of head football coach since 1930. In addition, Dolezel has the distinction of being the last quarterback to play for East Texas State. The fact that there remain some hard feelings from alums is not lost on the new head coach.

“I’m here to bridge that gap, and I’ll do it anyway I can with the alumni of the past to the new generation,” Dolezel said. “We’re moving past. Let’s get on the train, and let’s go.”

As for winning, Dolezel has been a winner during his playing and coaching days. He holds a 102-43 career record with two Arena Bowl titles with the Philadelphia Soul and one China Bowl championship.

“When we’ve talked to recruits during this process, we told them that we’re not going to Division I to win participation trophies. We’re going to win championships. We’re going to win in the classroom and on the field,” Coleman said. “I love winning, but I hate losing more than I enjoy winning. I see that in (Dolezel) and in his spirit. He’s been a winner at every level he’s coached.”

While Dolezel has been a winner as a head coach, his success came solely in indoor football. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know the intricacies of 11-man football. For example, one of the Philadelphia Soul owners during Dolezel’s tenure was former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski. 

That’s not Dolezel’s only connection to the NFL. He was the quarterback for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League under head coach Will McClay, who is currently the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys. McClay is viewed as one of the prominent architects of Dallas's tremendous success in the NFL Draft.

And there are more connections to 11-man football outside of the time Dolezel spent in multiple training camps as a player and assistant coach at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas. His cousin is the current head coach of the Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell. Dolezel spent time around the New Orleans Saints training camp when Campbell worked under Sean Payton.

What are some keys for Dolezel to be successful at the FCS level?

“Finding great coaches, and I feel I’m already on the path to putting great people around me,” Dolezel said. “All of the success I’ve had as a professional is because of the people around me. We’re going to find the best people to make A&M-Commerce successful. I know how to win. We’re going to win. It’s a matter of rolling up my sleeves and getting to work when this press conference is over, and that’s what I’m good at.

“We’ll find the players if they’re not there already. I know coach Bailiff did a great job, and I want to thank him for what he did for our school. He left it in a great spot and left some great coaches as well. I’m looking forward to the challenge. If going from Arena Football to the 11-man game is my only challenge, I think we’ll be alright.”

There are other issues facing Texas A&M-Commerce, including finding the resources needed to compete at the Division I level.

“Arena Football is no different from that perspective,” Dolezel said. “I work with a salary cap there, and I’m working with a budget here.”

Whether Dolezel is successful at Texas A&M-Commerce will be determined on the field over the next few years. That’s one area where Dolezel has an advantage with many of the formations and plays run by college and NFL teams in today’s game adaptations of plays from indoor football.

“I watch the NFL (teams) on Sundays try to run the bunch and stack (formations) that they stole from Arena Football,” Dolezel said. “They don’t do them right. They have some success, but there are many subtle things they don’t do that we’re going to do because I’ll teach my coaches and our players. We’re going to have an entertaining offense, and we’re going to score a lot of points. We have a good defense, and I’m excited about that.”

Judging by the number of alums and former teammates in attendance on Thursday, Dolezel has already accomplished one victory - he’s bringing the alums and donors from East Texas State back to Texas A&M-Commerce. But that’s only the first of what A&M-Commerce hopes are many wins.