The Augustana football team is gearing to begin their official spring practice after a 4-6 season under head coach Steve Bell’s first year at Augustana.
After using the winter off season to lift and train, the team is looking forward to tremendous progress during these next few weeks of spring.
Head coach Steve Bell believes they are in a much better place than last year and is ready for some changes to the team.
“Stepping stones were laid,” Bell said. “We’ve made culture changes, and the expectation levels are higher. We’ll see in November.”
Some of these culture changes are looking to improve more than just the culture of the team. They are focusing more on the “football intellect” to make the team more cognizant and cohesive during football games.
“The first year is kids figuring out what to do but hopefully not anymore,” Bell said. “Now it’s how to do it. We want to improve our football IQ and recognition. Football has so many moving parts that we need those fundamental techniques and we need communication efficiency. We’re moving forward from the past.”
Junior offensive lineman Tommy Wilson believes the team is going to be better as they work together and build bonds.
“We’re practicing individually and having early morning runs,” Wilson said. “Our bodily strength has improved greatly, now our mental strength will follow. We have competitive bonding. Competition is bringing out excellence.”
While the team is training individually now, once the men return for football practice, they’ll be under the scrutiny of the coaches.
But Wilson believes this will make the team better as the discipline increases.
“It’s a whole different environment,” Wilson said. “The more intense it is vocally and physically, the more fun it is. We are going to be more disciplined with attention to detail.”
One of the biggest challenges for the team next year will be coming together as a single unit, rather than a bunch of individualized cogs.
Another factor that will influence this is the new leadership as the team loses captain and quarterback Sam Frasco, as well as other influential seniors.
Bell is hopeful for the addition of quality recruits and the return of key athletes.
“We also graduated our back up, but we have some great recruits coming in and returners ready to take over,” Bell said. “Everyone’s spot is always open and roles will change.”
Look for new faces in the offense and defense come fall.