LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — After just two games, Liberty has emerged as one of college football’s most undisciplined teams, racking up an astounding 249 penalty yards from 22 infractions. It’s no wonder that Flames coach Jamey Chadwell is taking decisive action to address the issue directly.
On Tuesday, Chadwell revealed that one unnamed player has been suspended due to the high number of penalties, while others have lost their starting positions in a roster reshuffle. He did not disclose which player was suspended or how positions were rearranged on the depth chart.
In Liberty’s 30-24 victory over New Mexico State, Flames offensive lineman Xavior Gray was ejected in the second half after receiving his second Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty early in the fourth quarter, which led to the Aggies’ final touchdown. According to the latest depth chart, Gray is now listed as the backup to Jack Tucker, who has moved from Left Tackle, where he started last week.
After several personal foul penalties last week, Chadwell emphasized that his players needed a wake-up call to refocus on what matters. He stated, “I can discipline you, but I’ll have to take away things that you truly value. It’s not that the players are intentionally behaving this way; in the heat of the moment, we’re not reacting appropriately. Our Unity Council specifically challenged the players by position on this issue. We must learn to manage our emotions better.”
Chadwell’s views on whether the penalties against his team were justified are another matter. He indicated that his players need to elevate their performance to change the perception that Liberty is disorganized and undisciplined. “We’re getting penalized because that’s how people see us, and we are reflecting that reality. Perception is reality; people see us as undisciplined,” Chadwell explained. He also mentioned that he challenged the Unity Council on this issue, stating, “I’ve benched some players or cut their playing time due to these infractions. I hope that sends a clear message.”
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