WHEELING — It is no easy task building a college football program from scratch.

But Zac Bruney was charged with that momentous undertaking on July 17 when he was named the first head football coach at Wheeling Jesuit University.

The former Martins Ferry High and Mount Union quarterbacking star boasts the ideal pedigree to meet the formidable challenge. In addition to his playing greatness, he has scripted an impressive coaching resume.

This past fall marked the first time Bruney wasn’t either playing or coaching football since his days as a pup. Rather, the time was well spent in selecting and putting the proper building blocks in place for his fledgling program.

“It was different not coaching or practicing. The season went by very quickly,” Bruney said. “Coach (Brandon) Robinson and I locked ourselves in the office a good bit, going through films and evaluating some 1,200 prospects.”

Robinson got the nod as Bruney’s first assistant. He was hired in August. Robinson matriculated from Lindsey Wilson College, an NAIA school in Columbia, Ky. He was the wide receivers coach while also overseeing players’ academic progress and serving as team video coordinator.

“We spent some days on the road. We also got to a lot of Friday night and Saturday games,” Bruney said. “We concentrated on Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Brandon did a great of of identifying prospects for us.

“Our farthest trip was to the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area. They have a lot of good prospects there,” he added. “It was a three-day trip and was well worth it. It resulted in several visits from recruits in that area.”

The next benchmark date in Bruney’s guiding-building project is Feb. 7. That is the national signing date. NCAA D-I schools also had a first-ever early signing period in December, a process not available to D-II schools.

“January is a hot time for recruiting for D-II schools. The pace is really accelerated,” Bruney noted. “The December signing period helps D-II schools as it clears up the picture for a lot of recruits. Many D-I schools are already done. I am pleased with our number of commitments right now.

“Most D-II schools have signing classes of 25-35. This being our first class may total between 35-45,” he added. “We will continue to recruit this spring. We will be looking at some transfers for immediate help.”

Bruney hopes for a roster of between 55-60 when he leads his newly minted gridders into summer camp in preparation for their inaugural season this fall.

“That would be a good number for quality practices and decent depth. Anything higher would be great,” Bruney noted.

In regards to the upcoming season it will be exhibition in scope, leading into a full-fledged Mountain East Conference in 2019.

“We have a prospective schedule for the coming year but nothing is etched in stone. No contracts have been signed. We will finalize it after the signing period,” Bruney stated. “The schedule may have three or four games with D-2 teams, maybe some D-3 teams and some JUCO teams. We also may play some prep teams to help with recruiting. In 2019 we will have a full league schedule.”

Bruney’s exhaustive schedule has also included a couple of high-profile speaking engagements.

In October, he spoke at an NFL Hall of Fame luncheon in Canton. Early next month, he will be one of the featured speakers at the prestigious Ohio High School Coaches Association Clinic in Columbus, a rarity for a first-year head coach.

“It is necessary to keep a high profile and promote yourself and school when trying to build a program. Speaking at the Hall of Fame in Canton was a great opportunity to return to an area that I enjoyed a lot of collegiate success,” Bruney said. “The state clinic is a super event. It features the best of the best in the coaching profession.”

The Wheeling Jesuit grid staff has grown to four. In addition to Robinson, Bruney has hired Case Teagren as defensive coordinator. He was on the Indiana University staff last season. In addition to his coaching savvy, Teagren gives the Cards a recruiting foothold in Big Ten country.

Bruney has also brought on a graduate assistant who will assist with the defense and strength training.

“I am getting ready to hire a defensive backs coach and a special teams coordinator. I will add a few more positions in the spring and fall,” Bruney said. “The response from prospective coaches has been overwhelming. Getting the right staff is important considering the nature and uniqueness of our program.”

Bruney has worked tirelessly and passionately during his six months on the job. Much work still remains before the Cardinal gridders take flight. Bruney, however, is pleased on the current status of his program.

“Things are progressing rapidly. We are cautiously optimistic,” Bruney said. “It is a constant building process. I am happy now but coaches always like it to be better.

“Our administration — from our athletic director, president and HR office — is doing a superb job. Everyone here has been tremendously supportive. We are all working to build this program the right way,” he continued. “We want to keep growing our staff and roster. We want to eventually get to 120-130 players. We are trending upward. We are going to keep at it.”

BUBBA’S BITS

HUGH STOBBS has stepped down as the director of the annual Veterans Distance Race held in Wheeling every November. His big shoes will be filled by Wayne Barte, Lance Tarr and Steve Habursky. The trio will serve as co-directors.

RIVER HIGH is holding a special basketball event on Friday, Feb. 2. The Pilots have had 14 1,000-point scorers in school history, encompassing boys and girls. All 14 have confirmed that they will return that night for a special recognition ceremony. River hosts arch-rival Magnolia that night. Lauren Flannery became the 15th member of that elite club Wednesday night.

THE NEW England Patriots are obviously the measuring stick for NFL greatness. But it doesn’t hurt their cause that they get the officiating upperhand, as was the case in their comeback win over Jacksonville. The Jaguars, however, played not to lose in the second half. Consequently, they lost.

GREG HABERFIELD, who did a magnificent job of rebuilding Buckeye Local boys’ basketball, is enjoying much success in his first year at the Philo High helm. His Electrics are currently 10-3.

FORMER RIDGEWOOD High all-state point guard Audrey Tingle is leading the Mountain East Conference in assists. The West Liberty frosh has 103 assists in 18 games, good for a 5.7 average. Her mom, Jana Isaly, was a standout hoopster at River High for Tom Tisher while her uncle, Rick, is the current head coach of the Lady Pilots.