Central Michigan University Athletics
Spring Football Practice Report
3/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT – The Central Michigan University football team returned to the field Tuesday morning for the first of three spring practice sessions this week. The Chippewas worked out for two hours in full pads in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The team was back in action for the first time since Saturday’s controlled scrimmage. With humidity and temperatures reaching an unseasonably warm 70 degrees by noon, first-year head coach Butch Jones was left wanting more from his team following the workout.
“I thought we hit a wall a little bit today,” Jones said. “We got some heat for the first time and I was disappointed in our overall leadership.
“Right now we’re playing too passive for my liking,” Jones added. “We’re not playing with a good pad level. We’re playing too high. Our running backs are fumbling the ball too much, and that is primarily because they’re running too high. That is something we need to get corrected.”
Jones stressed a need for the veterans in camp to assume a more vocal leadership role. Just 12 seniors are currently suiting up for spring drills, placing much of the leadership burden on the youngsters who were forced into action last season.
“Each year brings a different team, and you can’t judge chemistry on paper,” Jones said. “We have a very small senior class. It’s hard to replace guys like Joe Staley and Doug Kress who were not only great football players but even better leaders.”
The Coaching Staff
Including Jones, seven new members of the coaching staff have either played or coached at CMU in the past. Zach Azzanni, Tim Banks and Max Glowacki all were part of teams that won MAC championships during their playing careers at CMU. Jones, Glowacki, Mike Bajakian, Jeff Beckles and Don Mahoney also have prior coaching experience at CMU. Those ties to the university have helped the new coaching staff build its relationship with the current team.
“It helps because these guys can talk about all of the great players who have come through the ranks here,” Jones said. “Seeing the pride that these coaches have in this program has definitely helped in the transition.”
The staff as a whole is no stranger to championship-caliber football. During their playing and coaching careers combined, the members of the CMU staff have been a part of 32 total championships, 28 total bowl games, 16 New Year’s Day bowl games, 10 BCS games, four NFL playoff games, two national championships and one Super Bowl.
Last season alone, current members of the staff participated in the Super Bowl, NFL Playoffs, Rose Bowl, Gator Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Motor City Bowl and NCAA Division I Championship Subdivision semifinals.
Players of the Day
The coaching staff named Mike Decker (offense), Tim Brazzel (defense) and Chaz West (special teams) as its practice players of the day.
Upcoming Spring Schedule
CMU will practice twice more this week: on Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon. Following Saturday’s session, CMU will have completed seven of its 15 spring practice dates.
The coaching staff is expected to host between 200 and 400 high school coaches at its Frank Glazier Coaching Clinic on Friday and Saturday. The high school coaches will take part in demonstrations by the CMU staff and watch the Chippewas practice Saturday afternoon.
The annual spring game is set for Saturday, April 21 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The scrimmage, originally set for 7 p.m., will now begin at 6 p.m.
