ELLISVILLE – There is a sense of newness all over for the running backs at Jones County Junior College.

Not only do the Bobcats have three new running backs on the 2009 roster, they also have a new running backs coach.

Junior college coaching veteran J. Mike Smith is now the running backs coach at JCJC. Smith comes to Jones after serving at Hinds Community College for the past 22 years, including the past six years as head coach.

Smith retired after the 2008 season and now loves his role at JCJC. His son, Hunter, is also a trainer on the team.

“It is a breath of fresh air for me,” he said. “I am really enjoying it. There are some really good people down here.

“I’m getting my son involved in school here and we are having a great time.”

In the backfield, Smith is tutoring redshirt freshman Kwumaine “Bubba” Brown (5-10, 195) of Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Fla., Bay Springs freshman Justin Gaines (5-10, 190) and Laurel freshman La’Darious Portis (5-10, 190).

Brown was one of the most highly sought after players in Florida during his senior prep season in 2007. He signed with Kansas State University, but was placed into Butler Community College (Kan.). He also had offers from West Virginia University and the University of Central Florida coming out of high school.

As a high school senior, Brown carried 294 times for 2,405 yards and 44 touchdowns. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry and was second runnerup for “Mr. Football” in the state that year.

Smith said Brown has impressed in preseason workouts.

“Bubba has been the main guy so far,” he said. “He is a complete back. He is a playmaker with great speed and he can block as well. He is knowledgeable with what he is doing and the experience of being in college for a year helps him a whole lot.

“Once he breaks the line of scrimmage, he is the kind of guy that can take it to the house. He does a pretty good job of blocking and he can be a great one. He has quick feet and he does things you just can’t coach.”

Gaines has also done well in practice and has impressed the coaches with his work ethic.

“He is probably not the overall complete back type of player, but the thing you really notice with Justin is that he is going to work really hard at everything he does,” said Smith. “He is going to get better and better because he is such a hard worker. He picks up things really well, scheme-wise.

“I guess picking up the blitz is a bit of a weakness for him because of his overall size. But he works very hard and he will play hurt. He has a chance to improve day-by-day.”