Sumrall's Most Important Hire

[drumlin]

I've said this before that Sumrall's most important hire, one way or another, will turn out to be Rusty Whitt. I will argue that Napier's program was doomed when he hired Mark Hocke. The team did not show much consistency during Napier's four years. They would beat teams that they maybe should not beat and lose to teams they had no business losing to. This was a direct reflection of poor mental preparedness and the comes directly from the S&C program.
Rusty Whitt's media availablilty was already reported here last week by Jordan Banks who provided some nice video clips and quotes (thank you).
I got a chance to watch the video provided by the team that you can look at here on the UAA web site. Highly recommended you watch the video, since I think it sounds like he has a proper goal and foundation to alter the team's mindset (toughness). If I recall, he will have more contact with the players during this offseason period than the entire coaching staff, as per NCAA rules. So he is very important in developing discipline and focus before camp begins.
Here are some quotes I liked that I picked up on the video - some already provided by Jordan..... generally, I like what I'm hearing.

When someone asked about the Gauntlet ....

We try to get the team prepared for all the different pitfalls in a football game and being disciplined when you are fatigued.

On passing the Guantlet ....

I think there is a certain culture in today's young man where they think that if we just keep doing it they'll give it to us. And it's not going to happen. They've got to pass, they've got the beat the Gauntlet the right way.

Someone asked about how injuries are related to the S&C program...

Weak things break.

On the offensive line ...

I take a lot of pride in our offensive line, in our defensive line, inside-the-box players and they are a direct reflection of your strength program and if they're getting beat up and pushed around, then it's my fault. Fire me, it's my fault.

He talked about coming to a workout early and prepared and not just showing up on time drinking an energy drink ....

We have to get more of the pro work habits going on and when we do that here, watch out. Then we're going to really start closing the gap against our opponents.

On getting enough sleep...

They have to alter their living habits ...
Once these guys learn that they can not live like a regular college student or a typical 20 year old, they have to alter their behavior, then they'll get it.

On what he learned in the military....

I learned a lot about what a quitter looks like, what resignation in somebody looks like and it usually begins with body language and complaining.

This morning after the gauntlets, an hour long, I ask them "can we break you as a man in one hour. Can you get broken in one hour" and they like "no" - well you just did ... you failed, you broke, you didn't pass .... these guys are so used to being successful, that they don't understand what failure really means.

On the new environment with NIL...

I just want to make sure that any entitlement in this program is squashed out. ... I have a blanket standard that you have to meet.

I don't change the way I coach them. I've always been demanding wherever I've been.

 

[JayM]

If this guy turns out to be a good one it will go a very long way to making us a successful program for a long time. I'm praying for him!

 

[JayM]

He moves around alot. I wonder why he left Army for Troy after only one especially given his military service?

 

[1bigg8rindade]

Hoke wasn't good but the guy we had last year had our guys looking bigger and stronger.

 

[Termigator]

He moves around alot. I wonder why he left Army for Troy after only one especially given his military service?

Winters in Troy Alabama better than at West Point?

 

[From the Swamp]

If this guy turns out to be a good one it will go a very long way to making us a successful program for a long time. I'm praying for him!

I wish we would have got Savage back.

 

[Marshall Plan]

This is the coach we don't know about until they play.

No one on here or anywhere knew McElwain or Napier hired a shit strength coach until after the first year.

We don't know if this one's going to be good or not either.

 

[Termigator]

This is the coach we don't know about until they play.

No one on here or anywhere knew McElwain or Napier hired a shit strength coach until after the first year.

We don't know if this one's going to be good or not either.

I agree with you, but what I am hearing about this guy is he is just like Sumrall and takes nothing but 100%+ on and off the field. One thing for sure, he spent time at West Point with very little talent to work with, and those guys might not win every game, but hit you from the opening whistle to the last.

 

[drumlin]

I found some more videos of interviews with Rusty Whitt over the last couple of years. I think the guy is the real deal. It sounds like his program (and Sumrall's) is all about getting the players prepared for game day - physically and more importantly mentally. These are somewhat long videos, but I think they are informative on revealing the fundamentals of the program these two guys are building. I've written this before, and I don't think it's a coincidence that Urban Meyer's success followed him to Ohio State when Mickey Marotti followed him as well. Notice that Ryan Day is benefiting from Marotti still being on his staff. Listening to these videos has me hyped and believing that these two guys truly know what it takes to win. I would not be surprised if the Gators exceed expectations this year.

The TOUGHEST Strength Coach You Ever Met | Rusty Whitt

The Ultimate Strength Training System For Athletes w/ D1 Strength and Conditioning Coach Rusty Whitt

Special Forces Strength | Tier1 Podcast

 

[From the Swamp]

Does it worry anyone else that our OL don't weigh enough?

 

[drumlin]

Does it worry anyone else that our OL don't weigh enough?

Good observation (I calculate 303.5 lbs average on the two-deep depth chart).
But how much is enough? I would image the preferred weight depends on type of offense/blocking scheme they will be using, so I would trust the coaching staff to know the ideal target weight they want.
Let's see what they look like on the field before we start to worry.

 

[Termigator]

Does it worry anyone else that our OL don't weigh enough?

No because of the speed of modern day Defenses