Training Camp

AFM BLOG #2

           Most everything in football coaching is about borrowing great ideas and making them your own.  There are very few original ideas.  Many good ideas on whatever topic end up being something that hopefully and very obviously provide motivation or inspiration to move players in the direction that we want them to go; sometimes these ideas naturally give something intangible to the adults as well.  The number one thing that we have stolen as a defensive staff this training camp and used to help teach our players with inspiration and keep us rolling was pirated from the University of Arizona: “HARD EDGE”.  Simple, two words, eight letters, totally descriptive.  In our planning as a staff, our discussions about players, our actual time spent on the field or in the meeting room with the kids, and everywhere else, we have tried at all times to never relent and implement our philosophy of “Refuse to Compromise the Standard” with a HARD EDGE.  This has not been a slogan or something for guys to jump up and down about, clap loudly while chanting, or put on a t-shirt.  It is merely a clear reminder about the unique difficulties and challenges of football and that in order to survive, let alone thrive one must put their feet on the floor every morning resolved to attack.  I hope that this finds everyone enjoying, as Bruce Barnum would say: the first true “College Football Saturday” and that practices and preparation have gone great.  We can’t wait to catch-up and finally play on September 21st.  GO BIG RED – HARD EDGE.