In the 2014-2015 offseason, the Tarleton State University Texan football team has seen its fair share of change. From coaching changes to tragedy, the Texans are rebuilding.

In the 2014 season, the Texans started off on a high trajectory to repeat a conference championship from 2013, but unfortunate endings in several games had the team finishing with a 5-5 record and a missed postseason appearance.

Head Coach Cary Fowler has brought in three new coaches, all of whom have worked with Fowler in the past: Chase Holbrook as Quarterback and Passing Game Coordinator, Jack Taylor as Defensive linemen coach, and Tony Turner, who is taking over for Fowler as coach for the secondary in the offseason. With help from a strong freshman and transfer recruitment class Fowler is confident in his men this season.

The Texans, who are ranked No.4 in the preseason rankings, aren’t too caught up in preseason talk.

 “In the 2013 preseason ranking we were ranked No. 4 and we won the conference and in 2014 we were projected to win the conference and you see what happened, said Fowler. The [Lone Star] Conference is talented and you never know what’s going to happen.”

Fowler is making it known to players that just because they started last season, doesn’t mean they are entitled to a starting position this season.

“It’s a battle, Fowler said. Our recruitment class has gotten better every year, with true freshmen challenging redshirt freshmen and transfers challenging veteran players.”

The Texans’ biggest tool is depth.

The motto for the 2014 season was “Chance Strong” in honor of player Chance Wallace who was paralyzed in an accident. This year, from two-a-days until the last game of the season when the Texans suit up, two phrases have been ingrained in their minds: “Super Strong Champs” and “Go Big or go Home”, in honor of the Texan players lost to tragic injuries and untimely deaths this past year. The “Super” comes from Cameron Owens, who was called “Super Cam” by his family before his passing in January. The “Strong” comes from Wallace. The “Champ” was inspired by Christian Champine, who was killed in an automobile accident in May, and “Go Big or Go Home” comes from Cody Stephens, who passed of a heart ailment several years ago just before coming to play for Tarleton.

The Texans know they have an uphill battle ahead of them, but Fowler said he is confident in their talents to carry them far this season.

The Texans open up their season at home on Sept. 12 at Memorial Stadium against Findlay University at 7 p.m.