Pine Bluff, Ark- Just under five months removed from the first ever SWAC football championship, 2012 SWAC coach of the year Monte Coleman and his Golden Lions football team opened their 2013 spring camp with a regular helmets only practice session. As the Golden Lions loosen up from winter conditioning, Coach Coleman and his staff are looking to fill some big holes voided by some key players from last year's championship team.

Gone from season are 2012 SWAC defensive player of the year Brandon Thurmond, 2012 SWAC defensive player of the game (championship) Bill Ross, and record setting offensive lineman Terron Armstead. Though all three were in attendance, all they offered were shadows of what was as the Golden Lions work to defend their championship this upcoming season.

As a unit, the Golden Lions will be relying heavily on upper classman leadership, as spring camp provides a stage for a lot of guys who didn't get much playing time to step up and show how they would be able to fill in areas that coaches want to address heading into the upcoming season.

“It looked like it was the first practice of the year. My expectations are real high”, said head coach Monte Coleman. “I thought the enthusiasm of the guys running around was well. We had but few mistakes but we're going to have them, that's what we get paid to do as coaches, correct those mistakes.

Offensively, R-JR quarterback Ben Anderson will look to lead the Golden Lions offense after posting the best record in school in history, 10-2, a season ago. In the backfield, R-SR running back duo of Justin Billings and John Toney will be called upon, along with a stable of running backs, to execute the Golden Lions ground attack.  The Golden Lions will look to replace five seniors across the offensive line, which included Armstead, Christopher Wilson and Lyron McClenney.

Defensively, the Golden Lions will look to replace the 2012 SWAC defensive player of the year Brandon Thurmond, the SWAC leader in tackles Bill Ross, and the leadership of Jarvis Webb in the secondary. With knowing what it takes to win a championship, Coach Coleman will be looking for some eager athletes to step up and be counted on.

“There's a whole host of guys I'm counting on this season. I don't want to lose a game. My expectation is to win.”