By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOEKVILLE, Tenn. – We're going to be the most physical, disciplined, relentless, accountable, toughest team in the country. We're going to throw body blows for four quarters until our opponents quit.
Straight from the mouths of every player showing off the purple and gold, led by the exuberant voice of head coach Marcus Satterfield (pictured below). The new brand of the Tennessee Tech football team was on full display Tuesday evening as the team held its first official spring practice under the lights of Tucker Stadium.
Physicality and discipline was out in full force, despite the players donning just helmets, with the intensity of the night matching that of the energy level Satterfield has attacked the Tennessee Tech campus, Cookeville community and Upper Cumberland region since his first day on the job back in January.
"We wanted to really challenge them as far as the toughness aspect goes," Satterfield said, "and just make sure they were doing all the things it takes to be champions. And they answered the bell. For the first practice with a new staff, and the first time we'd all been out together, everything ran really smooth. I thought everyone hustled from station to station. It looked like the organization was at a high level, which we asked our coaches and players to do. We talk about 'from shoe strings to championship rings,' and I saw that tonight."
Accountability was evident from the very beginning, with players showing pride in their crafts and Satterfield correcting minor mistakes right from the beginning, both by the players and coaching staff.
"Everyone has got to be on their toes," Satterfield explained. "We can't ask the players to all be on point and then have us not on point. Whatever the drill calls for from the coach, he needs to be able to do it and do it at a high level. We've got the best coaching staff in the country. I believe that 100 percent and I think that showed tonight."
The Golden Eagle squad looked like a well-oiled machine on the night, working through each of the 12 drills scheduled for the night with pure fluidity.
"Anyone that came and watched our practice tonight would've thought we've been together for 10 years, as smooth as it ran," Satterfield remarked. "We ran a lot of plays. There weren't a lot of people on the ground. The transition from drill to drill was unbelievable.
Included in the intense and physically grueling practice were several offense and defense specific drills as well as a 7-on-7 period, and a field goal drill that promised running should the kick go wide or short.
But taking the spotlight Tuesday night was the one-on-one drills between the offense and defense, putting the relentless effort and toughness of each player on full display for his teammates, coaches and anyone lucky enough to be in the stadium.
"It's easy to compete sometimes when there are 22 people and not everyone is watching you," Satterfield explained. "But when all eyes are on you, what can you do? Are you going to be tough enough? And that word tough always comes up in our program. Are you tough enough to go win that battle? That's the purpose for those one-on-one competitions and we'll end each practice with those to put our players in that position."
A quick, but more than effective post-practice speech concluded the night, with everyone involved with the Tennessee Tech football program reciting from their hearts the words:
We're going to the most physical, disciplined, relentless, accountable, toughest team in the country. We're going to throw body blows for four quarters until our opponents quit.
"Today was a good step," Satterfield concluded. "I'm sure when we watch the tape there will be a bunch of things we need to fix. But at least the things that it takes to win championships, as far toughness and the little things go, I think we got better tonight."
