It's another restart for the Lincoln football program.
The question? Does this one bring success? Or will it be more of the same old, same old?
This one, though, has a bit of a twist. For the first time, the Blue Tigers will have a local flavor.
On Thursday, it was made official Phil Pitts would be returning to Jefferson City as the defensive coordinator for the Blue Tigers under new head coach Steven Smith.
Pitts is a former Helias player, assistant and head coach. He knows the reputation of Lincoln football. When I asked him if he had any trepidation about accepting the job given the history of the program, there was no hesitation when he answered.
"I think they have a great plan in place for the future of Lincoln football," Pitts said. "Lincoln has a wonderful vision for the future of the football program and are willing to put into it what it needs to be successful. That's an exciting thing to be a part of."
The university does have a plan. Having a plan is one thing, plans are a dime a dozen. But implementing them is a different thing all together.
Here are a few of the details:
Lincoln will have at least 10 additional scholarships for football, with some of that money coming from the shutdown of the baseball program.
For years, the Blue Tigers have been playing with a virtual hand tied behind their backs with the shortage of funds in fielding a team inhibiting the program's ability to recruit by offering scholarships.
And while this won't quite get Lincoln up to the number at many other NCAA Division II schools, it will be a shot in the arm to the talent level.
There are plans to upgrade the facilities at and around Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
This is overdue. Long overdue.
There's no need to compare it to other D-II schools around the state of Missouri. Just look across the street toward Adkins Stadium.
Reed Stadium is a fine facility when it comes to seating. But the facility sorely needs new locker rooms and improved lighting for potentially hosting night games on those warm September afternoons.
Recruiting locally.
There are a lot of good high school football players around Central Missouri. Lincoln hasn't gotten many of the through the years and now comes the process of selling them on playing for the Blue Tigers.
That's where Pitts can play a pivotal role.
I've known Phil since he was a player at Helias. You would have to search far and wide to find someone who loves the game of football as much as he does.
Back in his days as head coach at Helias, I clearly remember an impassioned discussion we had in which he said football is the greatest game in the world, the ultimate team sport. I could just tell he meant every word he was saying.
His enthusiasm is infectious, I was ready to strap on the pads for a play. Just one play, at my age, I know my limitations.
Pitts, along with his brother Andy, are going to be the keys at the start of the recruiting process in the area. Area coaches know them and that should open some doors.
Don't undersell the importance of Andy's addition to the program. Here's what he's been doing the last two years since leaving Helias:
Coaching at St. Thomas (Minn.) as the team advanced to the NCAA Division III title game in 2015.
Coaching at Northwest Missouri State in 2016. Maybe you saw the Bearcats playing for another NCAA Division II title Saturday on TV?
In short, he's been with programs that know how to win. And his love of football matches that of his brother.
Since reviving the program, it seems like Lincoln had a football program just to say it had a football program. Having a Homecoming game, and all the festivities that go along with that, was more important than putting a team on the field the other weeks of the season.
But it looks like the Blue Tigers finally have decided to go all-in with the football program. Success doesn't figure to come right away, but Lincoln has started with the right steps toward making things a little more respectable.