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Editor’s note: quotes from this story were taken from the TDP Sports Show podcast. For the full podcast, visit the sports tab on www.tahlequahdailypress.com.
Over the past three seasons, Northeastern State University’s football program grew from one win to nine wins.
When Darrin Chiaverini took over as NSU head coach prior to the 2024 season, he had a goal to bring the NSU program back to national heights. In just two years, the RiverHawks won the President’s Cup trophy and a bowl game, ended the year on a seven-game winning streak, and finished with a top-25 ranking.
With a veteran group returning, the RiverHawks are expecting to take steps again when the season starts in August.
“I think we’re going to see a team that has a lot of speed, especially on defense,” Chiaverini said. “Offensively, our quarterback, Donnie Smith, is a veteran presence and our offensive line is basically all back. We have a veteran group of guys that is looking to take the next step.”
Turning the program around happened quicker than the RiverHawks’ head coach was anticipating. He thought it would take three seasons before results started showing.
Chiaverini credits the turnaround to finding the right players for the program.
“First and foremost, you have to have a vision for your program and have to detail the plan you want with your players,” Chiaverini said. “You also have to recruit good football players. I’ve never met a good coach with sub-par players. Our coaches do a job of recognizing talent and developing relationships with players to sign with NSU.”
Coming from a Division 1 background, Chiaverini has a different approach to recruiting at NSU. While at the highest level, teams are looking for a specific height and weight, NSU is looking for flat-out players. The RiverHawks also like to target team captains to lead the program.
“I think what is different is that when a player doesn’t fit a specific mold, you don’t recruit them. But here we are looking for really good football players,” Chiaverini said. “If they don’t fit the mold, we just want to know if they can play. We spend a lot of time recruiting top 6A and 5A programs; it’s not to say we don’t want [players at lower levels], but we want players who come from championship programs, which is important to me.”
This season, the RiverHawks are going to have a tough schedule. Ranked as one of the hardest in the country, NSU will face off with two D1 programs and some D2 teams with a high pedigree.
“There’s going to be some adversity this year; that is football,” Chiaverini said. “How we respond as a program responds to the call. I love the fact that we are playing a tough schedule, which is awesome. Someone told me we had the fifth-hardest schedule; awesome! I want the hardest schedule so there’s no doubt when we go out and beat teams.”
NSU’s 2026 season officially opens Saturday, Aug. 29 at home vs. Delta State.
“I am excited about the team coming back,” Chiaverini said. “We have a good group that has been in our program and understands the culture; we think we can make a run this year.”
Continue reading...
Over the past three seasons, Northeastern State University’s football program grew from one win to nine wins.
When Darrin Chiaverini took over as NSU head coach prior to the 2024 season, he had a goal to bring the NSU program back to national heights. In just two years, the RiverHawks won the President’s Cup trophy and a bowl game, ended the year on a seven-game winning streak, and finished with a top-25 ranking.
With a veteran group returning, the RiverHawks are expecting to take steps again when the season starts in August.
“I think we’re going to see a team that has a lot of speed, especially on defense,” Chiaverini said. “Offensively, our quarterback, Donnie Smith, is a veteran presence and our offensive line is basically all back. We have a veteran group of guys that is looking to take the next step.”
Turning the program around happened quicker than the RiverHawks’ head coach was anticipating. He thought it would take three seasons before results started showing.
Chiaverini credits the turnaround to finding the right players for the program.
“First and foremost, you have to have a vision for your program and have to detail the plan you want with your players,” Chiaverini said. “You also have to recruit good football players. I’ve never met a good coach with sub-par players. Our coaches do a job of recognizing talent and developing relationships with players to sign with NSU.”
Coming from a Division 1 background, Chiaverini has a different approach to recruiting at NSU. While at the highest level, teams are looking for a specific height and weight, NSU is looking for flat-out players. The RiverHawks also like to target team captains to lead the program.
“I think what is different is that when a player doesn’t fit a specific mold, you don’t recruit them. But here we are looking for really good football players,” Chiaverini said. “If they don’t fit the mold, we just want to know if they can play. We spend a lot of time recruiting top 6A and 5A programs; it’s not to say we don’t want [players at lower levels], but we want players who come from championship programs, which is important to me.”
This season, the RiverHawks are going to have a tough schedule. Ranked as one of the hardest in the country, NSU will face off with two D1 programs and some D2 teams with a high pedigree.
“There’s going to be some adversity this year; that is football,” Chiaverini said. “How we respond as a program responds to the call. I love the fact that we are playing a tough schedule, which is awesome. Someone told me we had the fifth-hardest schedule; awesome! I want the hardest schedule so there’s no doubt when we go out and beat teams.”
NSU’s 2026 season officially opens Saturday, Aug. 29 at home vs. Delta State.
“I am excited about the team coming back,” Chiaverini said. “We have a good group that has been in our program and understands the culture; we think we can make a run this year.”
Continue reading...
