As incoming freshman to the West Virginia football program, you are exposed to many things. The media, a faster game and a completely different lifestyle than in high school to make a few.
So, it was only appropriate that Mountaineers’ head coach Bill Stewart spoke at length about the installation of offense and defense with young players.
“Most coaches in America put the whole gambit in during the first five, and then go back and re-teach segments of what you are trying to get down,” Stewart said. “Sometimes we take the old school approach in that you start small and build up.”
That approach along with mentoring and teaching from older players has helped ease the transition for some.
“Geno (Smith), Stedman (Bailey) and a lot of the receivers have been helping me as I come along,” said freshman receiver Ivan McCartney.” “They are really helping me improve.”
Another young player that has impressed, linebacker Bruce Irvin, has attributed his spectacular early to veteran players that have been willing to teach him the intricacies of the 3-3-5 defense.
“J.T Thomas has been great thus far,” said Irvin, who transferred to WVU from junior college. “Donny (Barclay) and I go at it and compete a lot so we can make each other better.”
Stewart also acknowledged how some of the team’s upperclassmen leaders have been with the crop of young players.
“There are so many that are doing it – (Chris) Nield, Scooter (Berry), Julian Miller, Pat Lazear,” Stewart said. “J.T. Thomas has been a coaching machine out there.”
Practice Notes
– WVU practiced in helmets this morning in its first of two practices on the day, and the team will go with helmets and shoulder pads for the afternoon session, Stewart said.
Stewart and 87-year old journalist Mickey Furfari recalled the days when teams practiced twice a day, everyday.
“We have four days of two-a-days this year, and these guys just think it is terrible,” Stewart said with a laugh.
– Stewart talked about the maturation process from freshman year to the current senior seasons of both Noel Devine and Jock Sanders.
“I can say that Number 7 and Number 9 have grown tremendously as men,” Stewart said. “They have grown in the community, they have grown as football players, and they have grown as team leaders.”
– There was no update on the status of quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Johnson did not take part in practice on Tuesday morning.
“He’s talking with me, and I’m talking with him,” Stewart said.
– One issue that plagued the Mountaineers last season was the inablilty to finish games. Two that stuck out were the early lost to Auburn and the loss to Florida State in the Gator Bowl. Stewart said his team is working diligently, and his coaching staff is preaching the importance of playing a full 60 minutes.
“In order to finish a football game, you need to work to create turnovers for 60 minutes,” Stewart said. “Our guys know that you need to finish, so that’s something we have been working on very, very hard.”