When Mark Powell steps back into Fortera Stadium, he won't be wearing the same colors he was when he once helped lead the Austin Peay State University Governors to a conference championship. This time, he'll be on the opposite sideline, guiding New Haven with the same steady hand that made its mark at Austin Peay. For Powell, the return is less about nostalgia and more about reflection — a full-circle moment that reminds him how far he's come since his first coordinator role in 2019.

"It's going to be weird being on the other sideline for sure," Powell said. "It's definitely going to be a first-timer for me there."

Powell's time at Austin Peay was transformative. Under two different head coaches, he learned the importance of culture, faith, and consistency — lessons that still shape his leadership today. Now a head coach, he's bringing those values back to where they were forged, determined to show how much he and his program have grown.

"It's exciting to be back as a head coach in a place that gave me my first coordinator job," he said. "A lot of really great people gave me an opportunity, and it's going to be awesome to be back in that stadium."

Powell's connection to Clarksville runs deeper than football. It's where he and his wife first built a life together, and where he learned the power of community buy-in. The relationships he formed — with administrators, coaches, and neighbors — remain a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.

"I have a bunch of buddies from when I was down there, a bunch of my neighborhood that's going to be coming to the game," Powell said. "A lot of great people in that town. The president, Dr. Licari, and the Athletic Director, Jordan Harmon, are great people as well, so I'm really fortunate to be able to go back there and try to get a win."

Seeing familiar faces in the stands, from former colleagues to friends who watched the program's rise, will be a reminder of the foundation he helped build. It's also a chance to reconnect with those who believed in him early on and to show them the leader he's become.

"Being the same person every single day is what kids look for," Powell said. "That's what I strive to be — the consistency in everybody's life."

During his time at Austin Peay, Powell served under two head coaches with distinct styles. Mark Hudspeth emphasized structure and core values, while Scotty Walden helped Powell reconnect with his faith and introduced him to new practice philosophies. Both experiences helped him grow — as a coach and as a person.

"Hudspeth was very militant — things were done a certain way," Powell said. "He did an outstanding job there. We won a title in 2019."

When Walden took over, Powell embraced a different approach. "Scotty got me really back involved with my faith," he said. "He also got me involved in how we practice now. We do No Sweat Thursday and Fast Friday — I'd never been around that until I was with Scotty."

Powell also learned the importance of adaptability. He navigated three major transitions in a short span — a championship season, the onset of COVID-19, and a staff change — yet remained a steady presence for the players.

"I was fortunate to be the constant for the kids," he said. "I learned a lot about being consistent, being the same person every day."

This trip to Clarksville carries a special significance beyond the field. University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen and his family will be traveling with the team, a testament to the university's commitment to athletics and to Powell's leadership.

"He's behind us 110 percent," Powell said. "President Frederiksen and I have a similar vision for the university — we want to make it one of the top, if not the top, in the Northeast academically and athletically. It just shows the support he's given me and the trust in handing me the keys to this program."

Powell's wife will also be on the trip, along with families from his staff. "If you don't have everybody involved, it gets really hard," he said. "I'm excited to see everyone together."

Standing on the opposite sideline, Powell will look across the field at a program that's continued to climb. He's proud of what Austin Peay has become — and grateful for the role it played in his journey.

"What they've done since I left is unbelievable," he said. "They're top 10 in the country now. It's going to be exciting to be back as a head coach in a place that gave me my first coordinator job."

The experience also serves as a reminder of how much he's grown. If he could speak to his younger self, he'd keep the message simple.

"Trust your gut and don't change," Powell said. "Be consistent and be who you are. When I stopped trying to be someone else and put my own spin on things, that's when we started having success."

Powell isn't the only one returning to familiar territory. Defensive back Brodie Williams (West Memphis, Ark./Academies of Jonesboro High School) is also heading back to his alma mater — this time in a different uniform. For Williams, the game is personal, but he's focused on the bigger picture.

"I'm excited," Williams said. "I'm really excited just to see the campus and all the memories I had when I first came there until I graduated. That's my alma mater."

Powell has been intentional about supporting Williams through what's sure to be an emotional day. "We have to have his back and not let him get too high or too low," Powell said. "It's definitely going to be emotional, but he's going to be excited to be back and play."

Williams' journey to New Haven began with a familiar voice. "Coach Powell's always been a real person," Williams said. "He always demanded the team, and everybody respected him. When he reached out, I knew I could put my trust in him."

From the moment Williams arrived, Powell saw the same traits he remembered from recruiting him out of high school. "He's still high energy, he cares a lot, and he plays hard," Powell said. "He just needed an opportunity, and he's made the most of it."

Williams credits his growth to the environment Powell has created — one built on honesty and accountability. "I've just been excelling in my game," Williams said. "Coach Powell tells me when I have a bad game and what I need to work on. It's nothing but realness that makes me a better player."

The return to Clarksville is a homecoming for Williams, with family members filling the stands. "My mom, my brothers, my niece, my sister, my grandma — she's coming for the first time — and my aunties," he said. "It's going to be fun."

As he prepares to take the field, Williams reflects on how far he's come. "You're getting a more athletic, mentally stronger Brodie Williams (West Memphis, Ark./Academies of Jonesboro High School)," he said. "The game has slowed down for me. I don't get too high or too low. I just take it play by play and play violent."

For both Powell and Williams, the return to Austin Peay is about more than individual stories — it's about the team they've built together at New Haven. "This game is not about me," Williams said. "It's about the team. We're just trying to go out there and win."

Powell echoes that sentiment, knowing that the lessons learned in Clarksville have shaped the culture he's now leading.

"It's going to be awesome to be back," Powell said. "But at the end of the day, we're going there to compete — and to show who we are."