When Gary Goff started his head coaching career he had a major rebuilding job to do.

He did that at Tiffin University in Ohio.

He then moved to his alma mater, Valdosta State in Georgia. There he had to keep a winning train on the tracks.

He did that just as well.

Now Goff has a different job to do, one that is unique in college football.

Goff takes over a McNeese State program that is clearly down but far from out. It has been hit by troubles both self-inflicted and from Mother Nature.

With Goff taking over from Frank Wilson, that page has been officially turned.

The Cowboys find themselves not in need of a major rebuild but rather a piecing back together.

That may seem like a nice way of putting it, but fact is the program is far from being in a desperate state. For sure it needs work, but it is more tinkering than overhauling.

It’s easy to look at the 2021 double season as a bust, but it wasn’t. The combined 7-11 mark was far from good but also far from bottoming out.

With a few plays here and here, and a kicking game to boot, McNeese might have gone 11-7 or even 12-6. That is something for Goff to build on.

Yes, the Cowboys need to add depth and talent at the skilled positions, but they have a lot of pieces to work with.

But before Goff can put in his offense and defense, he must sell himself to the players in the locker room. That’s not new to him.

“We will have to re-recruit our kids,” Goff said. “I’m going to tell the players that I understand sometimes change is hard. I’m going to tell them we are going to get through this, that I’m here to work with them and not against them.”

Goff said he hopes to speak to all the players and make sure they understand that he plans on doing things “the right way.”

For now the majority of McNeese players seem to be willing to listen. Only a couple have entered the NCAA transfer portal, and those happened before Goff was hired.

Not bad when one considers what is taking place throughout the country.

Of course there are still a few holes to fill on the roster, especially if Goff is going to use his wide-open offense. And the most glaring weakness appears to be at quarterback.

There is little experience in the QB room so adding one through the portal would be ideal.

Goff has said he will look into that in the coming days, along with finding other positions. But he is also not strictly about the quick fix.

“We have to get in the portal and find some guys to help us win, and I’m sure we will be able to do that, but that is a Band-Aid,” Goff said. “You have to be able to recruit high school kids to sustain what you are trying to do.”

With the Southland Conference in a state of flux and the four top quarterbacks gone, if Goff can keep what he has and add the right few guys needed, McNeese might be able to rebound quicker than people think.

It all comes down to Goff’s ability to win the room when he gets in front of his players. The season may be months away, but for Gary Goff, it’s already game time.

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Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers Mc-Neese State athletics for the American Press. Email him at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com