gators

This is what I am hearing about the workouts.

The new coaching staff has made every task a competition for the players. Players now compete in all aspects of the program. There are winners and there are losers. This applies to workouts as well.

The coaching staff created 8 teams each with a captain. I can’t remember every captain but they include Ivey, Hammond, Cece, Cyontai and Reese. There was a draft and every captain picked his team from the pool of available teammates. They literally had draft rounds with all players in the room. It was funny because certain players were lobbying for an early selection and were pissed that they did not get drafted sooner. For example, Kylan Johnson was ticked off because he was picked in a later round because he is gimpy. Some comments I heard were “Hell no, player X, you ain’t worth more than a 7th round pick!” Teams have nothing to do with position groups or offense/defense.

Anyway, points are assigned to a team for a variety of tasks. If you outlift a benchmark, your team gets points. If you run more than you were supposed to, your team gets points. If you go to all of your classes on time, your team gets points. If you attend another UF sporting event and take a selfie, you get a point. If you do community service work, you get a point. Conversely, you lose points by being late, not besting the prior week’s workout, tweeting something stupid, etc. There are different points assigned to each task.

Class “checkers” and tutors are required to report violations or they get in trouble with the coaches and the UAA. There is accountability at every level of the program from the facilities people, to tutors, to equipment managers, to trainers, to players, to coaches, etc.

Early reports are that the players flat out love it! They are in constant contact with their teammates. Team chemistry is off the charts. Mullen and team are implementing fun and responsibility into these very tough workouts. Captains must give regular reports to the coaches. Captains face consequences if their teammates mess up. The team winner will get a reward – the loser will get a penalty (and a consequence). Players are putting pressure on their teammates to gain points and avoid point deductions.

Accountability, Chemistry, Competition, Strength, Discipline, Improvement…. Sounds pretty damn good to me.

So if you see player selfies at a gymnastics meet or basketball game, you will now understand why. Look for a Jeremiah Moon selfie at the BBall game tonight.

There is a new sheriff in town.

KC

EDIT: If Moon does post/tweet/snap (or whatever) a selfie, can you post it here as well? Would be funny.