5 things to know about Troy vs Middle Tennessee

A. Stacy Long | Montgomery Advertiser

Stacy Long

, Chip Dillard/Special to the Mont

He’ll sit back in his easy chair, stare at the television and enthusiastically cheer his team.

Larry Blakeney may have retired from being Troy’s football coach three years ago, but he remains an avid fan with a deep-seated interest in whether the Trojans win or lose.

“I’m a Troy man,” Blakeney said Tuesday, four days before Troy’s New Orleans Bowl matchup with North Texas.

“I’ll be pulling for them, hard.”

Blakeney has made trips back to see the Trojans, many of whose upperclassmen he helped recruit to the school, and beams with pride over his successor.

Neal Brown was an assistant under Blakeney for four seasons, including two as offensive coordinator.

The two remain close. Brown invited Blakeney to speak to the Trojans before the season and, as he introduced him, asked for Blakeney’s remaining recruits to stand.

More than a dozen stood, including starting quarterback Brandon Silvers, leading rusher Jordan Chunn, three of the team’s top six receivers and six starters on defense.

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“I’ve been real proud of them. Proud of Neal, too,” Blakeney said.

, Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Blakeney, who went to three games this season, including the victory over Texas State in the home finale for some of his players, is now 70 years old.

Blakeney, the proud grandfather of five, could be considered the proud grandfather of the Trojans, too.

“That’s a compliment,” Blakeney said. “They’ve represented themselves well. Off the field, there hasn’t been a lot of drama, which is what we call it.

“These guys have been good students and pretty good citizens. I think Neal has done a great job with them, too.”

Mickey Welsh

Blakeney and wife Janice now live in Auburn, which puts them “two doors down” from one daughter and two grandkids. It’s an easy drive to the Atlanta area for two more daughters and more grandkids. Plus, Janice has two sisters living in Auburn.

“It was a family move, more than anything,” Blakeney said. “We love Troy, but we needed to get back east and try to get closer to those kids. They’re all Troy graduates, by the way.”

, Chip Dillard/Special to the Mont

Blakeney, who is Troy’s all-time winningest coach, admits he’s “more of a fan now” when he watches the Trojans. Sure, going 178-113-1 over 24 seasons lends itself to having more insight, but he’s more apt to just cheer.

“They’re a little bit different than we were really in the last couple of years I was there, and Neal has grown since he left us,” Blakeney said. “He’s doing a great job. They’d be lucky to keep him very long if things keep going like they’re going.

“He’s been awfully good to me, and I appreciate it.”

Blakeney will be in Troy on Friday for the school’s December graduation ceremony. DeMarcus Ware, a nine-time Pro Bowler over a 12-year NFL career, is the speaker.

Blakeney recruited Ware to Troy.

“Another one of my pride and joy guys,” Blakeney said. “He sort of set the standard. If anyone wanted to do it right, they need to copy him. We’ve had several guys like that.”

On Saturday, he’ll be in his chair watching the Trojans, though he referred to them differently Tuesday when a caller mentioned he was going to New Orleans.

“Going to see my boys play?”

, Chip Dillard/Special to the Mont