Bears eye UAC title with new staff, fresh faces in 2025

CONWAY, Ark. — The start of a new football season at Central Arkansas always brings a ripple of hope across Conway, but this year, the anticipation feels sharper.

Bears coach Nathan Brown, now entering his eighth season at the helm, has overhauled his staff and retooled the roster, setting the stage for a UCA squad that expects to challenge for the United Athletic Conference (UAC) crown in 2025.

The Bears’ preseason preparations are unfolding against the backdrop of UAC Media Day, where Brown and his players will face questions about last season’s near-miss and the new blueprint for success.

“Every year, you’ve got to evolve,” Brown said. “We’ve got some fresh faces on our staff and roster, but the standard here doesn’t change. Our goal is a conference championship.”

UCA finished 2024 just short of its postseason ambitions, prompting Brown to restructure his coaching staff in the offseason.

Among the most notable changes is the hiring of a new defensive coordinator, intended to shore up a unit that allowed just 3.7 yards per carry last season but struggled at key moments.

“We’ve got the athletes, but this year’s about execution and accountability,” Brown said.

The Bears’ 2025 schedule offers both opportunity and challenge. UCA opens with a trip to Columbia to face Missouri in an FBS matchup that has already drawn regional attention.

On defense, the Bears are banking on a blend of experience and youth. Defensive tackles Jaylyn Spencer and Trevion Traylor, both mid-year enrollees, have impressed in spring camp, while linebacker Senon Chapple returns.

“We want to be the most physical defense in the league,” Chapple said. “That’s our identity.”

A critical factor for the Bears this season will be how quickly the restructured staff gels with a roster featuring both seasoned veterans and 38 new signees, including several transfers expected to contribute right away.

“Chemistry is everything,” Brown said. “You can have talent, but if you don’t play as one, it doesn’t matter.”

The United Athletic Conference, now in its third season, has quickly become one of the most competitive leagues in the FCS. The Bears face eight conference matchups, including pivotal games against Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky.

“There’s no easy Saturday in the UAC,” Brown said. “Every team can beat you if you’re not locked in.”

Last year, the Bears lost a close contest to Austin Peay that ultimately cost them a shot at the UAC title. That memory lingers. “We remember what happened. That’s motivation,” Berry said. “Our focus is on finishing games this year, especially in the fourth quarter.”

The Bears’ season will also be shaped by their ability to avoid the injury bug, which plagued them at key positions in 2024. Depth has been a recruiting priority, and Brown believes the team is better positioned to withstand the grind.

“We’ve got more competition at every spot,” he said. “If someone goes down, the next guy is ready.”

UAC Media Day offers the Bears a chance to set the tone for the season. Players have talked about the need for accountability and shared leadership, themes echoed by Brown.

“It’s not just about what we do on Saturdays,” he said. “It’s about the way we approach every meeting, every lift, every practice. That’s how you build a program that lasts.”

As the Bears prepare for their opener, the mood around Estes Stadium is focused but hopeful.

“We’ve put in the work,” McGehee said. “Now it’s about proving ourselves. We want to bring a championship back to Conway.”

For UCA, the 2025 football season is more than a fresh start. It’s a chance to reclaim its place atop the UAC, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose and a belief that this retooled squad can finish what last year’s team started.

“We don’t make predictions, but I will say this group is hungry, and they’re ready to show what the Bears football is all about,” Brown said.

UAC Media Day inside the BetMGM Sports Lounge at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.