Some notes:
https://www.periscope.tv/UMGRIZZLIES_FB/1YpKkdpwAqVGj?t=1
- Good to be through signing day and can now work on X's and O's. In the off-season it's getting prepared to play great football. There's a physical part of it that they're addressing in the weight room. Mentally the coaches are hard after it too. Working on handling adversity and bouncing back. Also there's a social part of this, sticking together through adversity. This is all an everyday process.
- Excited about this group, some depth is built. We were young last year and will be young again but have built some depth. We have some young guys we're excited to see what they can do on the field this spring. Will be tough for young guys to break through over returning starters but they will get a shot.
- Depth on the D-line is going to be huge
- 4 starters back in the secondary, but behind it is young, very young.
- Oline could possibly start 4 seniors, Mike Ralston is over 300 pounds (he backed up at RT last season)
- Reese at QB has the upper hand to start with but all will get reps. "All are capable guys"
- Jeremy Calhoun will be limited this spring, Favors, Green, and McCombs will get a lot of looks. Will be able to see what they do.
- "H" is solid, Horner is a senior, Bingham is back, Simis has really impressed this off-season. Did a good job last year but is now physically ready and looks like a million bucks, a great leader.
- Z is good, Jerry is back as is Lyons. Going to try to find a 3rd "z" and that might be Toure, he might get on the outside though too.
- On the outside Curran and Calhoun are the big play guys, but Lamarriel Taylor needs to step up too. Need to find that 3rd guy for the job and is that Eaton, Akem, Corbin, or someone else?
- Special teams, two good kickers and a good punter coming back.
- A nice football team but need to keep developing this team. Can't wait to get out on the 13th and see how these guys compete.
------------
Q: from Shaun Rainey about Stitt's comments on re-evaluating everything post season.
A: biggest thing they talked about is the players are our asset and developing them and building better relationships with them to compete harder is key. Team is talented and these guys need to know they care for each other. The problem in the last half of the season could be tied to this. Play good, hard football and trust each other.
Q: On the relationship the coaching staff has as a group
A: Got to get along well together and even hired a leadership coach/consultant to work with the group to set more goals and handle clear communications. All these guys make things go not just me (Stitt). A tight-knit dynamic right now.
Q: Did they build identifiable goals?
A: Yes but not something they really packaged to be a public motto. Coach Nicholson has incorporated them into the weight room and made them obvious but putting them on a t-shirt only goes so far, players have to believe and live these goals.
Q: Will you be practicing more live-game situations in practice?
A: Definitely. Also more accountability in practice this year. Basically taking a more hard-line approach on sloppy play. Helping players understand that mistakes can cost the whole team. (He didn't say this but it reads like they maybe let this slide last year for the sake of development, and that won't be the case this spring).
Q: Prefer to be at Wa Griz for spring game?
A: Liked being in Helena two years ago. Going to Butte can help with a road-game type feel, get on a bus and travel to a stadium. We weren't good on the road last year. Helpful to simulate traveling and playing in an "unfamiliar" place.
Q: In practice what are you looking for in a QB?
A: The offense needs to adapt to the QBs style of play. Need that type of intensity from the QB that leads the team, that motivates the group. Used the "Tom Brady stare" as an example. Need the type of QB that the defense wants badly for him to get the ball back in his hands.
Q: Are you aware you went 3-5 in the conference last season?
A: I think read that once on egriz but I can't recall.
(I might've added one that wasn't in the presser but I'll let you guys guess which one it is)
There's some more stuff - but those are the highlights, feel free to check the periscope link!
https://www.periscope.tv/UMGRIZZLIES_FB/1YpKkdpwAqVGj?t=1
- Good to be through signing day and can now work on X's and O's. In the off-season it's getting prepared to play great football. There's a physical part of it that they're addressing in the weight room. Mentally the coaches are hard after it too. Working on handling adversity and bouncing back. Also there's a social part of this, sticking together through adversity. This is all an everyday process.
- Excited about this group, some depth is built. We were young last year and will be young again but have built some depth. We have some young guys we're excited to see what they can do on the field this spring. Will be tough for young guys to break through over returning starters but they will get a shot.
- Depth on the D-line is going to be huge
- 4 starters back in the secondary, but behind it is young, very young.
- Oline could possibly start 4 seniors, Mike Ralston is over 300 pounds (he backed up at RT last season)
- Reese at QB has the upper hand to start with but all will get reps. "All are capable guys"
- Jeremy Calhoun will be limited this spring, Favors, Green, and McCombs will get a lot of looks. Will be able to see what they do.
- "H" is solid, Horner is a senior, Bingham is back, Simis has really impressed this off-season. Did a good job last year but is now physically ready and looks like a million bucks, a great leader.
- Z is good, Jerry is back as is Lyons. Going to try to find a 3rd "z" and that might be Toure, he might get on the outside though too.
- On the outside Curran and Calhoun are the big play guys, but Lamarriel Taylor needs to step up too. Need to find that 3rd guy for the job and is that Eaton, Akem, Corbin, or someone else?
- Special teams, two good kickers and a good punter coming back.
- A nice football team but need to keep developing this team. Can't wait to get out on the 13th and see how these guys compete.
------------
Q: from Shaun Rainey about Stitt's comments on re-evaluating everything post season.
A: biggest thing they talked about is the players are our asset and developing them and building better relationships with them to compete harder is key. Team is talented and these guys need to know they care for each other. The problem in the last half of the season could be tied to this. Play good, hard football and trust each other.
Q: On the relationship the coaching staff has as a group
A: Got to get along well together and even hired a leadership coach/consultant to work with the group to set more goals and handle clear communications. All these guys make things go not just me (Stitt). A tight-knit dynamic right now.
Q: Did they build identifiable goals?
A: Yes but not something they really packaged to be a public motto. Coach Nicholson has incorporated them into the weight room and made them obvious but putting them on a t-shirt only goes so far, players have to believe and live these goals.
Q: Will you be practicing more live-game situations in practice?
A: Definitely. Also more accountability in practice this year. Basically taking a more hard-line approach on sloppy play. Helping players understand that mistakes can cost the whole team. (He didn't say this but it reads like they maybe let this slide last year for the sake of development, and that won't be the case this spring).
Q: Prefer to be at Wa Griz for spring game?
A: Liked being in Helena two years ago. Going to Butte can help with a road-game type feel, get on a bus and travel to a stadium. We weren't good on the road last year. Helpful to simulate traveling and playing in an "unfamiliar" place.
Q: In practice what are you looking for in a QB?
A: The offense needs to adapt to the QBs style of play. Need that type of intensity from the QB that leads the team, that motivates the group. Used the "Tom Brady stare" as an example. Need the type of QB that the defense wants badly for him to get the ball back in his hands.
Q: Are you aware you went 3-5 in the conference last season?
A: I think read that once on egriz but I can't recall.
(I might've added one that wasn't in the presser but I'll let you guys guess which one it is)
There's some more stuff - but those are the highlights, feel free to check the periscope link!
