The SBU Bearcats football team will start the 15 NCAA allowed spring practices on Monday March 14th. Keith Allen, entering his 5th year as the Bearcats Head Coach, talks about the upcoming spring sessions.
How has this off-season training been going as compared to 2010?
"The biggest difference I see as the head coach is that these guys are becoming students of the game, they are coming over during their free time watching film from last year and asking a lot of questions! These guys are beginning to understand what it takes to win and have been putting in the extra work this off-season to earn the right to expect to win each game they play. For the first time in school history everyone on our roster has a winning record at SBU, their expectations have changed from hoping to win to expecting to win." Allen added " The cohesion we have as a coaching staff is showing in the cohesion of team. The kids know our standard of performance and level of expectations which is crucial to the overall progress of the team."
How Excited are you to finally start Spring Practice?
It's the best part of what we do in the Spring! I enjoy recruiting and the off-season conditioning, but I really love being around our players and have a chance to see them improve on the field and gel as a cohesive team. It's nice to focus on the game of football without the pressure of anyone worrying about a Saturday and how their performance will be. We can just work on the game of football and not be rushed trying to put in certain plays. I just love teaching and coaching."
What to you hope to accomplish with the 2011 spring practices?
"Our first goal is always to become fundamentally sound in every aspect, offense, defense, and special teams. We will focus on footwork, alignment and assignments. Our coaches have tweaked what we do both offensively and defensively, so it will be great for our kids to get those 15 opportunities to learn and improve. Our second goal is to challenge our kids to define our two-deep on both sides of the ball. The Third goal as a program is to keep changing the atmosphere and mindset of what the Bearcat football program is all about- our guys need to expect and believe that they can execute every play and win every game in 2011.
You lost 8 starters last year. What are your concerns and are you excited to see who steps up in the leadership roles?
"We had 14 seniors last year, 8 of which were starters, which is a great compliment to the program that we're able to keep seniors around each and every year. This off-season we have been meeting twice a week to discuss character, leadership and what it really means to be a Christian leader on and off the field. Our concerns are just like every coach in America, we need more linemen. We lost a monster in graduating Ino Vitale, but we have addressed that in recruiting and will continue to develop the depth we need at offensive and defensive line. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback position, and losing Steve Gachette is definitely a concern. We have 5 guys this spring going to compete for that role, so I expect to see them all have a great Spring. Everyone on our roster will have to compete every practice. They will have to prove and earn their leadership role on our team during these 15 practices, I am excited about the great character and leadership these kids will display. "
Key Returners?
How has this off-season training been going as compared to 2010?
"The biggest difference I see as the head coach is that these guys are becoming students of the game, they are coming over during their free time watching film from last year and asking a lot of questions! These guys are beginning to understand what it takes to win and have been putting in the extra work this off-season to earn the right to expect to win each game they play. For the first time in school history everyone on our roster has a winning record at SBU, their expectations have changed from hoping to win to expecting to win." Allen added " The cohesion we have as a coaching staff is showing in the cohesion of team. The kids know our standard of performance and level of expectations which is crucial to the overall progress of the team."
How Excited are you to finally start Spring Practice?
It's the best part of what we do in the Spring! I enjoy recruiting and the off-season conditioning, but I really love being around our players and have a chance to see them improve on the field and gel as a cohesive team. It's nice to focus on the game of football without the pressure of anyone worrying about a Saturday and how their performance will be. We can just work on the game of football and not be rushed trying to put in certain plays. I just love teaching and coaching."
What to you hope to accomplish with the 2011 spring practices?
"Our first goal is always to become fundamentally sound in every aspect, offense, defense, and special teams. We will focus on footwork, alignment and assignments. Our coaches have tweaked what we do both offensively and defensively, so it will be great for our kids to get those 15 opportunities to learn and improve. Our second goal is to challenge our kids to define our two-deep on both sides of the ball. The Third goal as a program is to keep changing the atmosphere and mindset of what the Bearcat football program is all about- our guys need to expect and believe that they can execute every play and win every game in 2011.
You lost 8 starters last year. What are your concerns and are you excited to see who steps up in the leadership roles?
"We had 14 seniors last year, 8 of which were starters, which is a great compliment to the program that we're able to keep seniors around each and every year. This off-season we have been meeting twice a week to discuss character, leadership and what it really means to be a Christian leader on and off the field. Our concerns are just like every coach in America, we need more linemen. We lost a monster in graduating Ino Vitale, but we have addressed that in recruiting and will continue to develop the depth we need at offensive and defensive line. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback position, and losing Steve Gachette is definitely a concern. We have 5 guys this spring going to compete for that role, so I expect to see them all have a great Spring. Everyone on our roster will have to compete every practice. They will have to prove and earn their leadership role on our team during these 15 practices, I am excited about the great character and leadership these kids will display. "
Key Returners?
"We return 16 starters from last years 7-4 team, so we are very excited!"
"Offensively, we have 3 starters on offensive line returning with 2 guys coming back with substantial playing time. That is huge for us up front. We return our entire running back core with Thad Everson, Justin Duhaney, Tiras Harris and Chris Culbreth, so I am definitely excited about our running game! At Wide Receiver our loan returner Charles Johnson will be returning for his Senior year after leading the team with 81 receptions in 2010. It seems that every year we lose an entire WR core, but every year we've had a great group of guys to meet the challenge and I expect 2011 to be no different."
"Defensively, we are returning 8 starters. Six of our entire back seven and two linemen. I expect great things from our Linebackers Shaquille Shedd, Andre Hicks and Austin Otwell. Our secondary should be more experienced with Anthony Wiggins, Chris Muhammad, Chris Hawkins and Karre Wallace. Our Defensive line is anchored by seniors Casey Smith and Ben Tautola. We expect a lot of our younger guys to step up this spring and become impact players this fall."
"In the kicking game we return our Long snapper, J.T. Brown, and kicker Andrew Kocurek. With our recruiting class and returning talent at the specialists position I expect us to dramatically improve in the kicking game. We return all of our return specialists which went 2nd in the nation last year in Punt returns!"
"Again, overall I am excited about the players we have returning and going through Spring Drills!"
Can you complete this sentence: Come the end of the spring practices, the Bearcats will be better at ...?
"Playing the game of football as a team. It's not about the offense and how many points they can score; and it's not about the defense and how many sacks and picks they can get; it's about the football team coming together as a whole, all phases and playing and winning together."
Any comments for the Bearcat fans and alumni out there?
"We hope to see you at some of our practices and our 3rd annual Spring game. I also hope everyone will participate in our First Annual 5 on 5 flag football tournament the day of the Spring Game on April 16th. We need your support to take this team to a higher level. I know our fans, alumni, student body and community will be proud of this first class group of young men that wear the purple of the SBU Bearcats."
"Playing the game of football as a team. It's not about the offense and how many points they can score; and it's not about the defense and how many sacks and picks they can get; it's about the football team coming together as a whole, all phases and playing and winning together."
Any comments for the Bearcat fans and alumni out there?
"We hope to see you at some of our practices and our 3rd annual Spring game. I also hope everyone will participate in our First Annual 5 on 5 flag football tournament the day of the Spring Game on April 16th. We need your support to take this team to a higher level. I know our fans, alumni, student body and community will be proud of this first class group of young men that wear the purple of the SBU Bearcats."
