HUNTINGTON -- Win games, lose coaches.
Fortunately and unfortunately, this has been the path the Tulsa football program has taken the last five years.
First it was Steve Kragthorpe jetting for Louisville after guiding the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back bowl games in 2005 and 2006. Last year came Todd Graham's turn as he cashed in on the opportunity at the University of Pittsburgh, sparked by his Tulsa resume which included three 10-win seasons.
That leaves the Golden Hurricane with Bill Blankenship, TU's former receivers coach who's more known for his Oklahoma high school success than any work at the college level.
But experience or no experience, Blankenship would have to try pretty darn hard to mess up what should be another banner year for the program.
With Houston's Case Keenum sidelined by injury in 2010, Tulsa's G.J. Kinne went ahead and slid right into Conference USA's top quarterback spotlight. The former Texas recruit was a machine last season, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes, throwing for over 3,600 yards and collecting 31 scores. He also ran for a team-high 561 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kinne's efforts landed him a C-USA Offensive Player of the Year honor.
He's back for 2011 along with his favorite target, the ever quick and nimble Damaris Johnson. Johnson's already the NCAA's all-time leader in all-purpose yards and that total will likely skyrocket some more.
At 5-foot-8, 170-pounds, the reigning All-American is a threat to score from a variety of spots, including receiver, punt returner or kick returner. In last season's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Johnson put on a performance that will forever go down in Aloha Stadium lore, racking up 326 all-purpose yards (98 rushing, 101 receiving, 109 on kick returns, 18 on a punt return) and scoring twice.
Kinne should have all kinds of fun finding him and fellow receivers Thomas Roberson and Jordan James.
While points will be easy to come by on offense, they'll be tough to prevent on defense. In keeping with C-USA West Division tradition, the key to the Golden Hurricane winning the league will center on just how much support its defense gives.
In 2010, Tulsa finished 10-3 with a D that gave up just over 30 points per game. However, it was an opportunistic unit that also nabbed a league-best 24 interceptions, returning four of them for touchdowns.
Blankenship will bank on eight returning starters, including linebacker Curnelius Arnick who led all Golden Hurricane players with 115 tackles last season.
The way its schedule goes, Tulsa's postseason destination will most likely depend on its Nov. 25 showdown with Houston.
A win there and Blankenship's rookie year might end in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl.
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