Owls counting on facilities to help recruiting

BOCA RATON — The Florida Atlantic football program wanted to boost its credibility when it hired a big-name coach like Lane Kiffin.

Now, the Owls are working toward possessing similar facilities as larger schools. Last week, they unveiled their new $10 million locker room. It was the first stage of a $72 million facility upgrade that will benefit all studentathletes.

“We were 100 years behind normal places,” Kiffin said. “It’s good for the first stage. That’s really not the most important stage, obviously, because you use that locker room to change clothes. That’s good for recruiting and stuff, having the next stage with the weight room … It’s really a big step.”

The players were introduced to the upgrade Friday, a day before the home opener against Air Force. Among the additions are a players’ lounge, personal nameplates above lockers and built-in safes for their personal belongings. The locker room also nearly doubled in size.

“It was amazing,” running back Devin “Motor” Singletary said. “Just to see how us as a program and how far we’ve come. We’ve got more space and everybody’s not on top of each other … That’s one step closer to feeling like a big program.”

The locker room is just the beginning of the process. The school is in the middle of constructing a hydrotherapy facility that includes an underwater treadmill. Flat-screen televisions are also expected to be installed throughout.

“It’s real good when (recruits) come because they can see how we really are and how we come together,” cornerback Chris Tooley said. “A lot of them like that. After the game, they come in and they’re talking to us how they like it. It’s a good opportunity to bring in more people.”

Kiffin high on transfer

Defensive tackle Noah Jefferson, who played two seasons at USC, participated in his first practice since announcing his transfer earlier this week. The school is waiting for Jefferson to receive proper clearance before he officially joins the team.

He’s not expected to play in Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against Bethune-Cookman at FAU Stadium.

Jefferson spent last season at Arizona Western Community College. He originally committed to Ole Miss in January but was denied admission.

“He’s been a dominant player,” Kiffin said. “They started him that first year at USC … We’ve kind of known for a while that he was coming. We just had to get through everything to get him here. He’s got a lot of potential and it’s never come together. You see him walk through the door and he looks like a 10-year NFL vet.”

Touchdown Chain

Add the Owls to the growing list of teams to adopt jewelry as a method to celebrate big plays on the field. They debuted their “Touchdown Chain” in Saturday’s victory against Air Force.

Singletary and receivers Jovon Durante and Willie Wright were among those to wear it on the sideline after scoring touchdowns. Kiffin said a fan approached them about it before the season and the players agreed to use it.

The idea is a spin-off from the Miami Hurricanes, who introduced the “Turnover Chain” last season. Kiffin said the Owls’ version is more team-friendly because everyone has a chance to wear it.

“Create a Touchdown Chain,” Kiffin said. “Now, as you present this to the team, everybody on this team has a chance to get this.”

We’ve got more space and everybody’s not on top of each other … That’s one step closer to feeling like a big program.” Running back Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary