"I was really pleased with our progression through `Purple Dawn' this winter," said head coach Mark Speir after today's opening of spring practice. "Looking back at last year's workouts, our focus was on installing our vision and work habits. This year, our big emphasis was building upon that while adding attention to detail. Last year, we were excited about the guys working hard. This year, it's been more about precision of doing the drills, the techniques and fundamentals of exercises. We are focused on taking it to the next level."
"Our new strength & conditioning staff - Evan Barr and Nick White - have done a tremendous job of getting our conditioning and levels of strength to where we are entering spring ball. We're a healthy, well-conditioned football team," Speir said. "We have been working hard and executing drills. I feel that will carry over into our 15 days in spring drills."
"Coming out of the spring, our number one priority is that we are a fundamentally sound football team," said Speir. "In reviewing ourselves after last season, we weren't as fundamentally sound as we should have been. This spring, every day when we come off the field, two questions for my staff will be - did we give great effort, and did we get better fundamentally as a team. If we do those two things, we can't help but be a better football team. The way we work - doing the little things right both on and off the field - we can't help but be a better team this fall."
"I love the way Coach (Shawn) Quinn and the defensive staff had the defensive side of the ball competing. Every morning you could see more and more confidence on that side of the ball," Speir said. He added "nobody can get satisfied or complacent".
"I'm really excited about what Coach Quinn brings as a teacher and his attention to detail. He's bringing a system that is very easy to learn and is user friendly. We want our players not having to think, but just react and play fast. We're excited about where our defense is headed."
"The offensive staff did a great job of self-study and in evaluating what we did a season ago. We're at a point where we have some competition at positions that is going to hopefully create improvement on that side of the ball.
"Obviously going into the spring after the end of last season, Troy Mitchell is the starter. Eddie is hungry and is not satisfied with being the No. 2. We look forward to a great battle for the guy that's going to be handed the reins of our offense," said Speir.
Courtesy WCU Media Relations
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