Wolf's Huddle: Lion or Lamb?


	Dale Wolfley

“Wolf, get up there!” said a fiery Coach Don Nehlen. “Let’s see what you’re made of son!” Immediately, I jumped to the front of the drill with my heart pumping so full of adrenaline I thought I might explode. As if on cue, long-time defensive assistant coach Bill Kirelawich (pronounced Kirlavich) smelling fresh meat and seeing an opportunity piped in. “Lookie here boys, look what we have, a greenie, and this is Greenie Day after all,” Kirlav said, laughing and referring to my freshman status. Kirlav always had a way with challenging players and getting the most out of them, especially the ones that had not yet earned his respect.

“Hunt get up here, let’s see what he’s got,” yelled Kirlav. Well that figures I thought, Brad Hunt, an intimidating 290 pound Senior defensive lineman, team captain and one all-around bad man on the football field. The look in Burly’s (Brads) eyes was fierce and imposing. In my minds-eye, I can still capture that intensity, his intensity as he measured me up. This is it. My moment of truth! Do I belong on this field? Do I, really? My coaches and teammates were watching and they would be judge and jury. More importantly, I would have to be my own. Looking deep into ones soul is not always easy but it is enlightening, one way or the other. The real question is, would I be the Lion or the Lamb?

Seconds ticked by but what seemed an eternity as I prepared myself for what I knew would be a physical collision. Winning or losing didn’t matter at that moment for me. The only thing I had to do was have no fear. Fear of failure creates hesitation and hesitation holds back execution. Fear guarantees failure!

I was ready. I believed in my heart I truly had no fear, as I listened to Coach Nehlen call out the cadence. Then the sound came, “Hit,” with great anticipation and a terrific growl I snapped off the ball with all the explosion and force I could muster. The last thing I remember before colliding with Burly was the look on his face as he had the wickedest of grins!

Strength, courage, physicality, determination, competitiveness - the ultimate measures of a player! The will to dominate! The will to win! Football gladiators will embrace it to its core and relish it in their hearts. It is one of the few places left where the spirit is free and acceptable to go medieval. “Mano-a-Mano,” head-to-head, me-versus-you at its absolute and most fundamental. The football warrior spirit at its zenith!

WVU Football practice is well under way and has now entered the full contact portion of spring drills. Breaking down the overall team is encouraging and the numbers show it. Head Coach Dana Holgorsen enters spring with 67 scholarships and 96 players overall. A look into the projected 2015 team will show 23 seniors; 26 juniors, 22 sophomores, 18 redshirt freshman and 17 true freshman coming in this fall. The first thing that jumps out at me is 49 juniors and seniors and the balance throughout the classes. If you want to see the direction of where a football program is headed just look in the cupboard and evaluate what’s underneath the surface in the stockpiles. Something that Holgorsen has not had the benefit of since he began in 2011.

A deeper look at the numbers shows that in 2013, the two deep depth chart which covers the offensive and defensive first and second teams equates to a total of 44 players. Twenty two out of 44 players or 50% of the depth chart were upper-classmen (juniors and seniors). Obviously, that means 50% were sophomores and freshmen. That certainly helps explain why the team in the eye test appeared smaller in physical stature than other Big 12 teams. In 2014, there were 28 of 44 or 63% upperclassmen in the depth chart with the majority being juniors. The 2015 projections, with junior college recruits could be between 80 and 90% with 23 seniors and 26 juniors when you add in the junior college players coming in this summer.

These numbers are significant for sure. Having an older, experienced & balanced team does not always guarantee a successful season. An offensive team must have solid quarterback play and offensive threats. A defensive team must play with enthusiasm and aggression. Special teams ought to be filled with a bunch of slobber-knocking, crazy eyed mutants who will run through anyone to reach their goal.

The WVU Football weight room has numerous signs with inspirational messages strategically placed. The largest one says, “IRON SHARPENS IRON AS ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER.” That message truly resonates with me. That’s a BOOM, in fact that’s a Double BOOM! Without competition, the players will be hard pressed to reach their individual and team potential. Without competition, coaches will not be able to put the players in game like situations to build experience and develop physical and mental toughness through stressful environments.

The main obstacle in spring football is the team against the clock. Time is of the essence. Every individual repetition, every team snap is important and every player must, must have the knowledge, belief and maturity in approaching it that way in order for success.

Leadership in anything is important for success and that is certainly evident in football. In fact, the 49 upper-classmen may be the most battled tested group I have observed here at WVU in a long, long time. Mature teams with leadership understand the ultimate goal. They know how to go about their business, and through verbal and physical example will teach the younger players. This ensures the future success of the program as all learn from those who have come before.

Big 12 teams are practicing this spring and all are training for the same prize. What team will understand what spring ball is about, and what team in the Big 12 will win the spring? Big 12 Championships are not won only in the fall but developed through the entire year. Starting in January with winter conditioning, and continuing through spring ball, summer conditioning and into the season. Every preparation time has a purpose, all phases help build the foundation individually and collectively. This 2015 spring ball campaign is immensely important and leadership has to play a key part in 2015 for success.

The best thing about spring ball for the players is that all start out at zero. The slate is wiped clean, what a player has done or not done in the past doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what a player does now. Players play and coaches coach. Force the coaches to play you! Do not give them a choice. Older players protect your turf. Younger players take it from them. That is competition, that is iron sharpening iron, that is winning in football. Individuals giving their all for the good of the team. There really is only one question that needs to be answered and that can only be truly answered by the player. Simply put, Are you a Lion or a Lamb? BOOM!

*Last Saturday was a tremendous success as the team traveled to Shepherd College and held an open practice for the public in the eastern panhandle. Kudo’s to Holgorsen, staff and administration for taking the team on the road. It is a win- win situation as the state gets to watch their Mountaineers and the players get to see different parts of the state that they might not otherwise have the opportunity.

This Saturday the 11^th, the team will hold an open practice in Morgantown and then at the Greenbrier Resort on the 17^th & 18 before heading into the Gold & Blue Spring Game on the 25^th.

*Tune into the WVU Coaches show this Saturday on your local WV Media Station or ROOT Sports for part two of the Wolf’s Den behind the scenes look at WVU Football. This week the Den goes exclusively into the “House of Joseph,” Director of Strength and Conditioning, Mike Joseph.

Follow Dale Wolfley on Twitter @Wolfley64

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Wolf's Huddle: Lion or Lamb?

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