Football Spring Season Q&A With Coach Nichols
5/5/2017 10:00:00 AM | Football
DavidsonPhotos.com | Spring Practice Photo Gallery | Spring Game Photo Gallery
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Davidson head football coach Paul Nichols answered a series of questions following the spring season. Be sure to check out the football coaches shows from the spring season below.
How did the winter workouts prepare the squad for the spring season?
Nichols: Greg Honeychuck and his staff did a tremendous job preparing our guys not only for spring practice, but also developing our team as a whole. We had a competitive and comprehensive winter conditioning period. Our goals were to develop strength, leadership and focus on finish and details in every aspect of our program. I think we accomplished these goals.
What was your message to the team for the spring?
Our mission for the spring was to create competition at every spot as well as create a sense of urgency surrounding finishing and a focus on the details of everything we do. Overall, we challenged our team practicing four days a week as well as putting them in adverse situations during practice.
How seamlessly was the addition of the new coaches, both on the sidelines and with their respective units?
Our new coaches adapted well to our program. Additionally, our players adapted to our new coaching staff. Any time we add new coaches we want to make sure that we maintain the integrity of our football program as well learn new ideas and thoughts to help us improve. It was great to have two new coaches on offense with great experience and a proven winning track record. Defensively, Jeff McDaniels brought a level of experience to our program that was tremendous as he was a player not only at Davidson but in our program.
A few coaches were promoted in the offseason, how is that beneficial?
Our goal is to bring coaches into our program and help them grow. We were fortunate to have two coaches on our staff that we felt were ready to become coordinators. Both Phil Trautwein and Matt Applebaum have demonstrated success throughout their careers as well as tremendous experience to rely on. We are pleased that we were able to maintain the integrity of the offensive and special teams scheme to allow our players to continue to grow.
What did you learn from your team over the course of 15 practices?
Our team improved dramatically from practice 1 – 15. We emphasized fundamentals throughout the practice structure. The seniors developed a sense of who they are and how they want to lead this program. We elected captains who will lead the program moving forward. Stockton McGuire, Ben Rowell and Jon Shepherd-Smith will handle this role. I am pleased overall with the focus by the entire program.
What were some strengths?
We continue to work hard to develop each player in our program. We place a high value on player development. There is no substitute for development. I think we continue to become more athletic and a deeper roster top to bottom.
What are some things you would like to see improve before fall camp?
Our mission prior to fall camp is to continue to develop our bodies as well as create team chemistry. We cannot be in good enough shape or strong enough in order to have a great training camp.
You had some spring award winners, talk about what those individuals did to earn the recognition?
Offensive MVP – Stockton McGuire
Defensive MVP – Clay Robinson
Special Teams MVP – George Hatalowich
Offensive Most Improved – Will Wicks
Defensive Most Improve – Chase Darnell
Special Teams Most Improve – Michael Matthews
What did you learn from the team during the Spring Game?
There is no substitute for getting our team in as close to a game like environment as possible. We felt that the spring game was a huge success. The competition was great on both sides of the ball. I think we were fortunate to put our special teams on display. This spring was the first time we have been able to do that in a spring game environment. The specialists benefited greatly from exposure to the environment as well our coaching staff benefited from calling plays, substituting personnel and creating change of possession in order that we are crisp in the fall.
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Davidson head football coach Paul Nichols answered a series of questions following the spring season. Be sure to check out the football coaches shows from the spring season below.
How did the winter workouts prepare the squad for the spring season?
Nichols: Greg Honeychuck and his staff did a tremendous job preparing our guys not only for spring practice, but also developing our team as a whole. We had a competitive and comprehensive winter conditioning period. Our goals were to develop strength, leadership and focus on finish and details in every aspect of our program. I think we accomplished these goals.
What was your message to the team for the spring?
Our mission for the spring was to create competition at every spot as well as create a sense of urgency surrounding finishing and a focus on the details of everything we do. Overall, we challenged our team practicing four days a week as well as putting them in adverse situations during practice.
How seamlessly was the addition of the new coaches, both on the sidelines and with their respective units?
Our new coaches adapted well to our program. Additionally, our players adapted to our new coaching staff. Any time we add new coaches we want to make sure that we maintain the integrity of our football program as well learn new ideas and thoughts to help us improve. It was great to have two new coaches on offense with great experience and a proven winning track record. Defensively, Jeff McDaniels brought a level of experience to our program that was tremendous as he was a player not only at Davidson but in our program.
A few coaches were promoted in the offseason, how is that beneficial?
Our goal is to bring coaches into our program and help them grow. We were fortunate to have two coaches on our staff that we felt were ready to become coordinators. Both Phil Trautwein and Matt Applebaum have demonstrated success throughout their careers as well as tremendous experience to rely on. We are pleased that we were able to maintain the integrity of the offensive and special teams scheme to allow our players to continue to grow.
What did you learn from your team over the course of 15 practices?
Our team improved dramatically from practice 1 – 15. We emphasized fundamentals throughout the practice structure. The seniors developed a sense of who they are and how they want to lead this program. We elected captains who will lead the program moving forward. Stockton McGuire, Ben Rowell and Jon Shepherd-Smith will handle this role. I am pleased overall with the focus by the entire program.
What were some strengths?
We continue to work hard to develop each player in our program. We place a high value on player development. There is no substitute for development. I think we continue to become more athletic and a deeper roster top to bottom.
What are some things you would like to see improve before fall camp?
Our mission prior to fall camp is to continue to develop our bodies as well as create team chemistry. We cannot be in good enough shape or strong enough in order to have a great training camp.
You had some spring award winners, talk about what those individuals did to earn the recognition?
Offensive MVP – Stockton McGuire
Defensive MVP – Clay Robinson
Special Teams MVP – George Hatalowich
Offensive Most Improved – Will Wicks
Defensive Most Improve – Chase Darnell
Special Teams Most Improve – Michael Matthews
What did you learn from the team during the Spring Game?
There is no substitute for getting our team in as close to a game like environment as possible. We felt that the spring game was a huge success. The competition was great on both sides of the ball. I think we were fortunate to put our special teams on display. This spring was the first time we have been able to do that in a spring game environment. The specialists benefited greatly from exposure to the environment as well our coaching staff benefited from calling plays, substituting personnel and creating change of possession in order that we are crisp in the fall.
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