By Bill Vilona
GoArgos.com Senior Writer  
 
The first week of UWF's preseason football practices have quickly reminded Kavell Conner how his coaching role, along with his life, have changed dramatically as a first-year defensive coordinator. 

"You go from being in the back of the (coaches' meeting) room and having ideas in your head, to now you are a decision maker," said Conner, smiling, following an Argos practice in mid-day sweltering conditions. "This is what I have been dreaming for. I am so excited for this opportunity. 

"It's humbling, honestly."

After spending the past two seasons of coaching apprenticeship at Clemson – a place he entered 15 years ago as a relatively unheralded freshman linebacker, who then became the Tigers leading tackler as a junior and senior -- this is a different moment from any other in his football career. 

The same drive that enabled Conner to fulfill the ultimate dream by reaching the NFL, where he played six seasons for two teams, is transferring to coaching leadership at UWF. 

Back in December, prior to fellow Kaleb Nobles being named the Argos new head coach, Conner met with Nobles about the possibility of coming to Pensacola with him.  

Both were in auxiliary coaching staff roles with Clemson; Nobles as the offensive development coach, Conner as defensive development coach on head coach Dabo Swinney's staff. 

"I knew him as a (Clemson) player since my brother (Kasey Nobles) played with him during those years," said Nobles, whose older brother played fullback and tight end for the Tigers. "We coached together for two seasons at Clemson and we were both doing some things with behind-the-scenes stuff and we would have conversations. 

"He carries a lot of great experience as far as playing in the NFL, the CFL, playing college football. He has been a high school head coach, a position's coach in college and he's worn a lot of hats."

The day Nobles announced he was being hired as UWF coach, Conner was the first one he saw in an early-morning hour at Clemson's football center. 

"He was in the parking lot coming to the building," Nobles said. "Nobody else was in yet. I saw that as a sign right there, like it was supposed to happen."

He offered Conner the opportunity that was immediately accepted. The 36-year-old Conner replaces Darian Dulin, the Argos' heralded defensive coordinator from 2017 through last season. Dulin joined former UWF head coach Pete Shinnick at Towson along with two other former UWF defensive assistant coaches, Alex Krutsch and Britt Myers.

"Everything I learned along my journey, especially being at Clemson where the standard is so high, has helped shape me," Conner said.  "And then coming here to UWF where the standard is high as well, it has been an easy transition.

"So, it was pretty cool to walk into situation like this with expectations that you are to achieve at high level."

Conner starts with his former position as one of UWF's team strengths. Linebackers Willie Jordan, Gael Laurent and Will Breland are part of an experienced returning core. 

Newcomers in the secondary stood out in the spring and during the first days of August drills. 

"We do lean on our older guys who helped build a foundation for the program and understand what it is to be (UWF) Arete," said Conner, referring to ancient Greek term for excellence that Shinnick attached as a moniker for UWF's team and its initial journey into football. 

"(Experienced players) can lead us and show us what this means every day," Conner said. "We have a great group of guys. So we are trying to develop them every day, build their confidence, put them in tough situations in practice, so when we get to the game it is easier."

Many of the methods and defensive strategy Conner learned as a Clemson and NFL player and two years as a coach under coordinators (now Oklahoma head coach) Brent Venables in 2021 and last year under Wes Goodwin, he's applied to how UWF's defense will play.

"He does such a great job of getting the message across to our guys in an intent way where they know, okay, this is why we are doing something this way," Nobles said.  "I couldn't be more happier that he is with us."

Conner grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He was not rated as a decorated star prospect in high school. But at Clemson, he rapidly proved himself, which led into being a seventh-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts and part of the 2010 All-NFL Rookie team. 

He played a combined 78 NFL games for the Colts and San Diego Chargers, then one season for the Hamilton (Ontario) Tiger Cats in the Canadian Football League. 

"I was only a two-star athlete coming out of high school," he said. "I was what you would call underrated. So coming into Clemson I had to understand that I have to work for everything I get and that I am going to have to be a grinder. I am going to have to do the things that people don't want to do and I have to be working when nobody wants to work. 

"And luckily we have a group of guys who also have those same dreams, same approach (at UWF)," Conner said. "We have a talented group of guys and the unique thing about right now in 2023, if you are talented the NFL will come and find you."

His journey, his drive are qualities that convinced Nobles he would be the perfect fit at UWF and take over a defense that has played a large role in UWF's meteoric rise as a seven-year football program.

"All the stuff that our guys have dreams and aspirations about, he's been through it and creates more credibility when you hear it from somebody who has done it," Nobles said. "So it is important for these guys to know that hey, he's been here, he has done what I want to do."

The wisdom Conner received from coaches like Dabo Swinney and Brent Venables are what he is transferring into his first-time venture as a college defensive coordinator. 

"It is a little different, just the approach you take, because now, you are obviously in charge of everything that has to be run," he said. "So you have to be organized. We have been working since the spring to be prepare for this time

"It's a game we love. It's a game I have been around my whole life, so I just wanted to be natural and just let it flow."