Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Getting Ready for 2007
12/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 15, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - In what had become a tradition at Fresno State, the middle of December saw Bulldog football players not only cramming for their final exams, but also preparing for a bowl game.
This December, the Dogs are not studying opponent film or practicing for a bowl for the first time since 1998.
Several Bulldogs, especially the members of the 2007 senior class, are already preparing for next season with additional time in the weight room to improve on their strength, stamina and speed. They vow not to spend another December without a bowl reward. According to head strength coach Andy Bennett, the Dogs are already working hard for the 2007 season.
"We've had a lot of guys already spending a lot of time in the weight room and they've been in here on their own," Bennett said. "There is definitely a determined attitude by the guys. They are going to do what it takes to not have another season like this one."
According to Bennett, the off-season for college football players is the most important time in their physical development. The Dogs will begin early morning (6 a.m.) workouts once the spring semester begins, and will continue until they can get on the field for a spring session, commonly referred to as Spring Football. This year, Fresno State's spring session won't begin until the second week of April, giving Bennett and the strength coaching staff 10-weeks of intensive strength and speed training. In years past, the Dogs have usually trained for six weeks before spring ball began.
"We are getting a longer cycle and hope to see some great gains in both speed and strength," Bennett said. "Last year we had two shorter cycles, one before and one after spring ball. We think this will give us a great opportunity to get our big guys stronger and more powerful and allow our speed guys to become more flexible and faster. The gains made during the off-season will have big dividends in the fall."
Bennett said he and his staff will also implement a more comprehensive nutritional education program so the student-athletes better understand the many physical benefits that proper nutrition has on their ability to become stronger and faster.
HULA BOWL BOUND
Fresno State will be well represented at the 2007 Hula Bowl, played Jan. 14, 2007 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Head coach Pat Hill has been selected as one of the coaches, joining West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, Georgia's Mark Richt and Art Briles of Houston. Hill last coached in an all-star game serving as the West Head Coach for the 2003 East-West Shrine Game. Joining Hill will be fullback Roshon Vercher, offensive tackle Chris Denman., center Kyle Young and running back Dwayne Wright. The game will be shown live on ESPN.
EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
Three Dogs will play in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game, played Jan. 20, 2007, in San Antonio, Texas. Senior receiver Paul Williams, center Kyle Young and cornerback Marcus McCauley have been selected to play in the game, which will he shown live on ESPN2.
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR SEARCH
For the second straight season, and the fourth time in 10 years, Pat Hill has to find a new offensive coordinator. Steve Hagen's recent departure to join Butch Davis at North Carolina has Hill once again looking for someone to direct the Bulldog offense. As it turns out, Oregon and North Carolina can both be blamed for stealing the last four Fresno State offensive coordinators. The Ducks hired formed Bulldog Jeff Tedford, now the head coach at Cal, who was Hill's first offensive coordinator. When Tedford left for Cal, the Ducks once again turned to Fresno State to hire Andy Ludwig. Ludwig's replacement, Frank Cignetti, left for North Carolina after the 2005 season. When the Tar Heels changes coaches in November, Davis was hired and one of his first hires was Hagen. Hagen worked for Davis with the Cleveland Browns for three seasons. Hill does not have a time table on hiring a new coordinator. "We have lost some really good coaches over the years," he said. "I think that says a lot about our program. I'm happy to help others better themselves. That's part of the coaching profession and all of the guys who've left, did so for good jobs. We will get a good coach."
RECRUITING UPDATE
Hill and the Bulldog coaches are once again traveling throughout the state recruiting student-athletes. According to Hill, he may sign up to 25 players for next season and he is very pleased with the current recruiting process. "Over the years, we have built great relationships with high school coaches in the state, and especially those in the Valley," Hill said. "The Fresno State football program is respected for the academic success we have achieved, the type of non-conference schedule we play, for the number of national television games we've had, and the tough, hard-nosed brand of football the Bulldogs play. All of that is attractive to players and parents."
Editor's Note:Coaches are proscribed from discussing any specific recruits until they have officially signed a National Letter of Intent. The national football signing day is February 7, 2007.
