Calling all recruits. You will want to play here!!!!
What a great atmosphere walking into the Hawks and hearing the music playing, players getting ready, some fun bantering, parents and reporters standing around side and in balcony. Was just a refreshing positive vibe.
We focussed on the defensive side since they are in the early stages of the install process. Wanted to hear/watch our coaches teach.
* Our defensive staff is amazing right now. Not a weak link in the bunch. I found myself wanting to watch every position and listen to each coach do their thing.
* DBs/Corners: Coach Williams is animated. He is a hands on coach. Can tell he absolutely loves what he does. He is out demonstrating drills with the players like he is still a player. Can tell players will love playing for him.
* OLBers: Then went to OLBers and watched Coach Bray. This is a great fit. Some were worried there would be a conflict with Diaco coming in taking over insides. If there is, you can't see it from outside looking in. The outside position is one of the most technical positions and needs its own coach. Watching the OLBers try to get lined up properly against the various formations of the offense and the different calls of the defense just reinforced how technical it was. Bray has so much energy and is a fantastic teacher. Really enjoyed standing right next to his station and watching him teach.
DBs/Safeties: Coach Elliot is the GOAT! Forget about his age. Can tell the players already like him. He is very efficient with his instruction. I would have loved to just follow him around and learn. He instantly recognizes the little things. Very big on coaching the eyes. He will be a behind the scenes guy. Few will notice him. We are so lucky to have him and now I understand why he was Diaco's first choice.
DL: Coach Parrella a very good teacher. These guys will get better and better. Need more big bodies. A little concerned if we have some injuries. Didn't get as much time here.
ILBers: Coach Diaco never breathes. He is constantly teaching. Every position. Even directed at the coaches. Watched him change some of the technique of insides. Basically, read and GO! Example was mirroring back and one step. Very simple drill. However, his expectation of exploding to the ball instantly. "Did you just run as fast as you can?" "If you didn't ... why not!" This was filling run gaps and ripping through blocks and settling in run fit/gap. Could go on and on. Point is ... another example of kids getting coached up.
* Stoltenberg is a monster. He will be just fine.
* Morgan Jr. is a constant highlight reel. Period. This guy is special. Watching him vs our corners was fun.
* QBs were on the money with their passes. All looked good. So much so it was difficult to tell the difference between the 3. Gebbia is skinny, but man he can really throw. His ball came out quick. He will really benefit from one year in the weight room.
* When ball hit the ground during scrimmage, entire defense was yelling "D" (we think it was D). We couldn't tell at first what they were yelling. There was a constant rip, knock ball out, turnover mentality. They ran to every incomplete as if a turnover. Effort was demanded and expected or you didn't play.
* We have seen the videos of units running onto the field at the beginning of defensive time. In groups. If they did not run on the field quick enough, they would have to repeat. While it may seem like no big deal, it was expected entire practice. You ran off the field. If a coach saw you walk or if you did not run fast enough, they singled you out an made you run back on the field and then run off. Love the little things being coached.
* Coach Williams is still very athletic. He is standing with the corners during the play. There were times he was breaking before the corner on the ball. He was yelling, "Break". "Now". "That is your play". By him demonstrating during the actual play, it just reinforced the corners what they should be watching and doing. Another example of coaching the eyes.
* Defense has a ways to go. However, it is early and still in the install phase. Kids are still working on terminology and getting lined up. Very excited how good this defense will be.
* Get ready for some 2-gapping. I know this is seen as a bad thing. However, can tell by the balanced stance from DL this will be the tech. Having a balanced stance makes it easier to slant laterally during stunts. It also helps with balance and clogging up the middle.
* Saw a bunch of Under front. So, it will look like 4 down lineman to everyone. 4 hands on the ground. Can tell they were working on this package. So those worried about having 3 down lineman can relax. It is all the same.
Very excited with the direction of this program.
What a great atmosphere walking into the Hawks and hearing the music playing, players getting ready, some fun bantering, parents and reporters standing around side and in balcony. Was just a refreshing positive vibe.
We focussed on the defensive side since they are in the early stages of the install process. Wanted to hear/watch our coaches teach.
* Our defensive staff is amazing right now. Not a weak link in the bunch. I found myself wanting to watch every position and listen to each coach do their thing.
* DBs/Corners: Coach Williams is animated. He is a hands on coach. Can tell he absolutely loves what he does. He is out demonstrating drills with the players like he is still a player. Can tell players will love playing for him.
* OLBers: Then went to OLBers and watched Coach Bray. This is a great fit. Some were worried there would be a conflict with Diaco coming in taking over insides. If there is, you can't see it from outside looking in. The outside position is one of the most technical positions and needs its own coach. Watching the OLBers try to get lined up properly against the various formations of the offense and the different calls of the defense just reinforced how technical it was. Bray has so much energy and is a fantastic teacher. Really enjoyed standing right next to his station and watching him teach.
DBs/Safeties: Coach Elliot is the GOAT! Forget about his age. Can tell the players already like him. He is very efficient with his instruction. I would have loved to just follow him around and learn. He instantly recognizes the little things. Very big on coaching the eyes. He will be a behind the scenes guy. Few will notice him. We are so lucky to have him and now I understand why he was Diaco's first choice.
DL: Coach Parrella a very good teacher. These guys will get better and better. Need more big bodies. A little concerned if we have some injuries. Didn't get as much time here.
ILBers: Coach Diaco never breathes. He is constantly teaching. Every position. Even directed at the coaches. Watched him change some of the technique of insides. Basically, read and GO! Example was mirroring back and one step. Very simple drill. However, his expectation of exploding to the ball instantly. "Did you just run as fast as you can?" "If you didn't ... why not!" This was filling run gaps and ripping through blocks and settling in run fit/gap. Could go on and on. Point is ... another example of kids getting coached up.
* Stoltenberg is a monster. He will be just fine.
* Morgan Jr. is a constant highlight reel. Period. This guy is special. Watching him vs our corners was fun.
* QBs were on the money with their passes. All looked good. So much so it was difficult to tell the difference between the 3. Gebbia is skinny, but man he can really throw. His ball came out quick. He will really benefit from one year in the weight room.
* When ball hit the ground during scrimmage, entire defense was yelling "D" (we think it was D). We couldn't tell at first what they were yelling. There was a constant rip, knock ball out, turnover mentality. They ran to every incomplete as if a turnover. Effort was demanded and expected or you didn't play.
* We have seen the videos of units running onto the field at the beginning of defensive time. In groups. If they did not run on the field quick enough, they would have to repeat. While it may seem like no big deal, it was expected entire practice. You ran off the field. If a coach saw you walk or if you did not run fast enough, they singled you out an made you run back on the field and then run off. Love the little things being coached.
* Coach Williams is still very athletic. He is standing with the corners during the play. There were times he was breaking before the corner on the ball. He was yelling, "Break". "Now". "That is your play". By him demonstrating during the actual play, it just reinforced the corners what they should be watching and doing. Another example of coaching the eyes.
* Defense has a ways to go. However, it is early and still in the install phase. Kids are still working on terminology and getting lined up. Very excited how good this defense will be.
* Get ready for some 2-gapping. I know this is seen as a bad thing. However, can tell by the balanced stance from DL this will be the tech. Having a balanced stance makes it easier to slant laterally during stunts. It also helps with balance and clogging up the middle.
* Saw a bunch of Under front. So, it will look like 4 down lineman to everyone. 4 hands on the ground. Can tell they were working on this package. So those worried about having 3 down lineman can relax. It is all the same.
Very excited with the direction of this program.
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