I’ve heard similar from multiple sources. The question is: will all that work be effective? We’ve seen players on the basketball court and soccer pitch never stop moving with relentless energy that don’t really provide much offense or defense. Just running around with their head cut off. So working for work’s sake may not be a positive. Especially if this continues in the summer when practice is not about conditioning or installation anymore. Time is so limited now it’s about perfecting execution.An Offensive lineman says that they have never worked so hard as now.
A dose of discipline was definitely needed though. Making them all scream Gladiator slogans and do rope drills may not translate to the field. Or it may make them bond in their hatred, like Kilmer, Sobel, Hartmann, etc. like you see in the movies.
I really liked Kragthorpe’s approach. You say you want to be a pro? Ok. We are going to structure meetings, practice, meals, travel, game prep, and sidelines like the pros. And you’ll be held accountable like the pros. You’ll be ready for the pros. That’s why you are here. That was the deal and the players thrived. It was a machine as best it could run on half a shoe string.
I don’t know but I would think SK would tell you all the rah-rah stuff and drill sergeant act might be good to reassure some antiquated donors and administrators, and maybe energize some fans, but it probably won’t work and may clip your recruiting as well. And I can’t think of a better authority on Tulsa football than SK.
It’s also about timing. SK had a low key approach then TG came along and was a shock to the system. I will remain optimistic that we get the same shock and result with KW, but history rarely repeats itself and football now is very different than 2008.
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