ORANGEBURG, SC--During Bulldog Spring Football we had a chance to sit down with Tight Ends Coach Connor Loper. Loper is in his first season on the SC State football coaching staff. He comes to Bulldog Country from Benedict College where he served as Wide Receivers Coach/ Passing Game Coordinator, as well as Director of Football Operations. During the 2023 Season, Benedict won its second consecutive SIAC Championship, 47-10, versus Albany State. Benedict went 11-0 in the regular season and made it to the second round of the NCAA D2 Playoffs. The Tigers had the #1 Scoring Offense in the SIAC at just under 40 points per game (39.7). Benedict's 3rd Down Offense converted 50.9% of the time, good for 9th in the nation. As a Passing Offense, the Tigers threw for over 3,215 yards, ranking 13th in the nation in that category. Prior to his Benedict stint, Loper was at Southern University where he served as Assistant Wide Receivers Coach from 2019-2021. In 2019, Southern won the SWAC West Division. In the 2021 Spring Season, Southern University went 4-1 and finished ranked in the Top 25 of FCS. To see Loper's complete bio, visit www.scsuathletics.com
 
Q: What made you decide to coach for South Carolina State?
A: I decided to go to SCSU because I enjoy working with the coaches that I have been with at Benedict the past few years that are here now at SCSU, and I look forward to building on the long-standing tradition that is held here!
 
Q: What would you say was one of the biggest challenges transitioning from a player to a coach?
A: The biggest challenge transitioning from a player to coach is learning that everyone approaches the game differently than you did as a player.
 
Q: What would you tell your younger self as a player that you would as a coach?
A: Learn the other side of the ball so you can be a step ahead of the opponent.
 
Q. What was the best advice given to you as a coach?
A: You must be a great teacher
 
Q. What is the biggest challenge you face today as a coach?
A: The Transfer Portal
 
Q: What is a misconception about coaches' society always claim?
A: We are always yelling
 
Q: When I am not coaching, I am doing?
A: Relaxing
 
Q: If I wasn't coaching football, I would coach what sport?  
A: Baseball
 
Q: A hidden talent I have no one knows about is?
A: I have decent dance moves
 
Q: The person I admire the most in life?
A: My grandfather
 
Q: My favorite quote in life?
A: "A man does not decide his future, he decides his habits, and his habits decide his future."
 
Q: If I can spend time with one person dead or alive if would be?
A: Family

Hot Seat

• Favorite Food: Boudin or Crawfish
• Favorite Cereal or Snack: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
• Favorite Song and Artist: Any Louisiana artist
• Favorite Hobby: Ping pong
• Favorite Sport besides football: Basketball
• Something About Myself No One Else Knows: I have double jointed fingers.
• One word that describes yourself: Myself.

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