When opportunity comes knocking you can either open the door or ignore it.  

Former UT Permian Basin star quarterback Kenny Hrncir decided to open the door, when Head Football Coach Kris McCullough presented him with the opportunity to go from being the quarterbacks coach to becoming the youngest Co-Offensive coordinator in the country at just 23-years-old. 

"Things really fell into the right place for me. I started out as the quarterbacks coach and then once coach Lusby left, it was late in the season, so coach decided to bump coach Blake Crandall and I up to Co-OC's," said Hrncir. "I know it's very early in my career but having a guy like coach Crandall to help me out and coach McCullough along the way and all the other coaches has made it a sweet process." 

While Hrncir has a ton of experience reading a defense and understanding what they are trying to do to slow the offense down, there were still a few things he had to learn when he made the transition from player to coach.  

"It's a lot different. You don't know what these coaches go through on a daily basis to get ready and prepare for a game each and every week," said Hrncir. "As a player you don't really understand that. You just think they call the plays, and we go. But there is a lot more on this side of the ball that I didn't understand as a player." 

Hrncir also noted that while coach Crandall and McCullough have helped him understand that pass game on a deeper level, the other offensive coaches have also been a huge help in him developing as a coach this season. 

"Coach Tommy Crayton and Coach Spencer Region have also helped me tremendously in the run game, just understanding more with fronts, what we are trying to do, and how we are trying to block every run," said Hrncir. "Just working with this entire staff has really increased my knowledge of football and the coaching side of it." 

The Falcons started their season off on a strong note defeating Western New Mexico 41-3 at home in their season and conference opener game of the season. UTPB's offense was perfect in the red zone, finishing 6-for-6.  

"Our goal is to take it week by week, go 1-0 each week, we want that conference championship and our get back in the playoffs," said Hrncir. "Offensively we want to do whatever we need to do to win. A wins a win at the end of the day. Everyone wants those high stats but at the end of the day if we win each week we are doing our job." 

The Falcons will be on the road this week, as they take on CSU Pueblo at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, September 7.