TUCSON, Ariz. – In his more than 30 years in coaching, defensive coordinator
Paul Rhoads has established an expectation timeline as far as spring football goes.
The goal of the 15 spring practices – still months before the season begins – is to improve each week, culminating with a productive spring game that creates momentum into the following season.
But Rome wasn't built in a day. And for Rhoads, the expectations for Week 1 of spring practice are more about not getting discouraged than anything else. Through the opening week of practices for the Wildcats, Rhoads is certainly not that. Instead, he's excited about the remainder of practice with the base his group has already established.
"I am not dissatisfied," Rhoads said. "I don't think you're ever satisfied. Ever. One of the worst things you can be as a player or coach is frustrated and I'm not that. The kids have been practicing with great energy and have been very coachable in the meeting room and on the field. That's been a lot of fun to be around."
Rhoads will be leading a defense that will feature an entirely different staff from a year ago. With that in mind, the veteran coach's focus so far has been establishing the core values that are most important to him and his staff with his new group of players.
That's a process that has gone well so far.
"We want to make sure we're playing hard," Rhoads said. "If you don't play hard, you don't have any chance. We want to establish the importance of that. There is a difference between playing hard and playing fast. When you're playing fast, you know what you're doing. That's what we want to get to. Right now, we're just playing hard. We want to understand the importance of tackling. We're starting to gain an appreciation of that. All of these things are learned. There is a lot of teaching taking place on the field, in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria and everywhere you look."
Rhoads is also relying on the veterans of his defense to help expedite the process. In rising senior linebackers
Colin Schooler,
Tony Fields II and
Anthony Pandy, Rhoads has three players who bring a wealth of experience to the field.
Their leadership and style of play has helped Rhoads instill his philosophies even quicker this spring.
"They are experienced; they're veteran players," Rhoads said. "First of all, that's one of the things that you notice. Colin is extremely intelligent in his course study and it's important to have that in that position. Anthony and Tony play with great energy and speed and that rubs off on your teammates, how you practice. They're skilled. They do what we ask them to do with a high level of skill."
On the flip side, the players have been receptive of the new coaches on defense and are off to a fast and energetic start to the spring.
"He's very energetic; a very hands on coach," Schooler said. "He's got a lot of experience and it shows. He coaches differently with each player. Just the whole coaching staff is upbeat and energetic. We've fed off that."
Photo of the Night
Tweet of the Night
Number of the Night
37:
Colin Schooler and
Tony Fields II have each played in 37 games in their careers, never missing a contest in three seasons.
