You’ve been at spring practice for three weeks now, how do you feel it has gone?
I think it has gone good so far; we’ve done 13 practices and we have five left. We’ll get those in during the last week including our scrimmage at Munson Stadium.
Any changes in practice from last week?
No, it’s been good. It has gotten hotter……….
Did you get to practice at Munson Stadium on the turf last week?
Yes, we practiced there twice. It’s good to get familiar with the field from a coaching standpoint. I need to spend as much time as I can. The kids like it, too.
How has practice progressed during this three weeks?
We’ve made excellent progress; the players are tired but they have kept a great attitude and I love their work ethic. We’ve put a lot on them and they have risen to the occasion.
You mentioned the ‘scrimmage’ on May 25; how will that work?
It will be at Munson but it won’t be a real game. We’ll have the ones (first string) against the twos (second string) for the most part. We won’t have any of the kicking game. We just want to invite the public to see what we are doing on offense and defense.
Speaking of the kicking game—how is that going?
We’ve got some young kickers I like. The coverage teams have been good. We haven’t done much with the kicking game. It’s been so important to introduce the 120 players to our offense and defense.
What has been your biggest surprise or observation?
No real surprises; but I’ve been impressed with the players’ response to our new system. There have been a lot of changes for them in a short period of time. They have taken to it and accepted it.
You are doing something special on Wednesday this week? Can you tell us about it?
Coach Marty Criswell is visiting the team on the 23rd. I’m excited to have him visit. I invited him and he accepted. I think that reaching out to the past is important. There is so much history here; and history is important to me. I have visited with Coach (Bob) Brown and (Cody) White and talked to Criswell on the phone. The success Denison has had here I believe I can learn from.
What prompted this visit by Coach Criswell?
There is this picture of the 1984 State Champion Yellow Jackets in the hall by the dressing rooms. The kids have been talking about it and saying that it’s ‘cool.’ That got me to thinking about what I could do.
What about this new “Jacket Football Experience?”
After the scrimmage at Munson on Friday, May 25, we will hold some free football drills for all the kids in the stadium. The kids will be divided into five groups and they will rotate through the five stations directed by members of the Yellow Jacket team. Kids kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome. They just need to be wearing appropriate football clothing such as shorts, t-shirt and athletic shoes. It will last for about 30 minutes.
