Flashes Complete Day 2 of Spring Practice
3/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
KENT, Ohio - Snow kept the Kent State football team indoors Thursday, but did not keep Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock from being optimistic. During day two of the Golden Flashes' spring practice season, Heacock spoke with media members about the challenges of a young defense and what he has seen so far.
"I've seen enthusiasm and great attitudes," Heacock said. "We're a relatively young defense. We're trying to sort out who we have and where the best place is for them to have success."
What needs to be done to be successful
"We need to be up-tempo, fast-paced and competitive at all times. We want to play with emotion and at the same be disciplined about it, getting in the right gaps and staying in the right zones.We will approach every practice as if we're going against a no-huddle offense."
On having a new coaching staff in place
"It's all about the players. Some of these players have invested three or four years into this program. This is their football team and they've invested a whole lot more time than me and that's the kind of respect we'll give them as a staff."
On the difference between this defense and last year's defense
"I don't think it's going to be a lot different. We'll have some different schemes and do some different things, but the goal is the same as it has been for these guys and that's to be the number one defense in the conference and ultimately win a MAC championship."
On the inexperience of the linebackers
"We're rolling everyone in there right now. They're young, but they have a "Yes I can" attitude. I think leadership will grow naturally."
On defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix
"What I like most about him is an eagerness to learn. I've been really impressed with him as a young man. I see him studying film and he wants to continue to get better. I think he's handling success the right way. He'll continue to get better as long as he accepts coaching like he's doing right now."
The Golden Flashes continue spring practice on Friday, April 1.
Kent State's 15-practice slate concludes April 16 with the annual Spring Game, which will take place at 6 p.m. in Dix Stadium and is free and open to the public.
