SAN DIEGO – When you have a coaching staff as large as a football team's it's inevitable that there will be change. San Diego's football team features slight alterations coming into the 2019 season, but they're significant ones.
 
Former offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Jim Jackson has departed to coach at UMass. Replacing him as offensive line coach will be Cory White, formerly San Diego's tight ends coach.
 
Dorian Keller, a former player and assistant coach at USD, has been hired as the tight ends coach. Quarterbacks coach Christian Taylor is now the sole offensive coordinator.
 
The Toreros have won or shared the Pioneer Football League title seven of the past eight years. The team's record the past eight years: 72-21.
 
White and Taylor face particular challenges heading into the season as the Toreros try to maintain their PFL domination. San Diego graduated four of its five starting offensive linemen, including All-America left tackle Daniel Cooney. With Aidan Valencia moving from right tackle to Cooney's left tackle, there will be new starters at all five positions.
 
After Anthony Lawrence started 47 straight games at quarterback for USD and set every major school passing record, Taylor must groom a new quarterback. Head coach Dale Lindsey has said fifth-year senior Reid Sinnett has the inside track at replacing Lawrence but that Mason Randall and Alex Farina are pushing him.
 
As mentioned, Keller will enjoy a homecoming as he returns to USD to coach the tight ends. Keller was on San Diego's roster in 2006 and 2007 as a wide receiver, although he didn't play after suffering a knee injury in the 2006 summer camp.
 
Keller's coaching stops include USD, San Diego State, Cal Poly, Idaho State and last season as co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Division III Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
 
"I'm excited," said Keller. "It's good to be back home. When you can work at your alma mater it's something special."
 
Keller will be coaching a unit that is loaded with talent. Senior Zack Nelson is a former All-PFL selection at fullback. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds he can be a devastating blocker. Sophomore Dalton Kincaid made a significant impact as a freshman, catching 24 passes for 374 yards, including 11 touchdowns.
 
Lawrence said that Kincaid has the best ball skills he's ever seen in a receiver and Keller doesn't argue.
 
"He's got great ball skills," said Keller. "His ceiling is through the roof. The great thing about him is he strikes me as a kid who's willing to put in the work to grow as a football player."