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Former Raven Carpenter key part of Alabama’s national title team
When Alabama defeated Texas for the 2009 BCS National Football Championship on January 7 in Pasadena, California, several people in Coffeyville had more than a casual interest in the outcome. Included was Coffeyville Community College Head Football Coach Darian Dulin who watched former Raven James Carpenter play left tackle for the Crimson Tide.
Carpenter played for Coffeyville’s offensive line in 2007 under former Raven head coach Jeff Leiker and for Dulin in his first season as head coach in 2008.
“It was a great thrill for us to have James win the national title especially knowing his whole story of where he came from”, said Dulin. “He came from a bad high school team, had a rough two years here, then to keep striving and finally get what he deserves for his efforts was really heart-warming for me and the whole Red Raven family.”
Carpenter was a first team All Jayhawk Conference selection in 2008 for Coffeyville and was also named to the first team NJCAA All-American Team as a left tackle.
Former Red Raven left tackle James Carpenter blocks Highland Community College’s Jordan Pellock during a game played at Coffeyville’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2008. Carpenter, who transferred to Alabama following the 2008 season, helped Alabama win the 2009 BCS Football National Championship and also blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
“James impressed me while he was here at Coffeyville with his humbleness,” said Dulin. “James never thought he was as good, or had the potential that others saw in him. So that was a good thing because he always stayed motivated and hungry to better himself despite what others told him.”
Carpenter struggled his first few games this season at Alabama, but the light came on at mid-season according to Alabama senior left guard Mike Johnson in an interview with the Dothan Eagle (Alabama).
“For James, it was probably right about the second quarter of the South Carolina game,” Johnson said. “We were running a couple of power plays. At one point his footwork just kind of came together. ... We ended up running the ball the rest of the way through the fourth quarter and really started having success on the ground.”
Dulin also noticed some improvements in Carpenter’s play. “This year James has really improved his run blocking skills and his overall agility,” said Dulin. “He has dropped a little weight, but has gained more flexibility.”
Carpenter started every game for Alabama in 2009 and helped block for running back Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner.
“He was able to step into a high profile program under a lot of pressure and perform,” said Dulin. “I think that goes back to his hunger and humble attitude.”
Coffeyville can now lay claim to having two players win national titles in back-to-back seasons. Former Raven Troy Epps was a part of Florida’s 2008 national title team. “We have always known what kind of program we have at Coffeyville,” said Dulin. “But to the rest of the people, it does add some credibility to our program.”
“If you paid attention to the other bowl games, there were very few that weren’t represented by a Red Raven,” added Dulin. “When you think about it, for two straight years the Red Raven family had two members win Super Bowls – Ryan Lilja with the Colts and Brandon Jacobs with the Giants.”
“There are very few programs in the country at any level that can match our success, tradition, and the talent that has been produced by the Red Raven Empire,” said Dulin. “That is why we say empire instead of program or dynasty because our success is unmatched. Coffeyville is truly an empire.”