Lost in the Madness of March, especially in this area, is a formative part of the college football season – spring practice. The Tar Heels, following a subpar 6-7 2014 season, have been grinding it out at Navy Field for weeks now rain, snow or shine.
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Fresh, eager players, young and old, join focused coaches on a mission this time of the year on the gridiron.
And for the Tar Heels, that means Blue Dawn, a grueling wake-up call that sets an exacting tone for each season.
The Tar Heel defense takes the practice field (Jeffrey Camarati)
“We changed Blue Dawn. It’s a lot of the same drills, but more competition. Eight teams are actually competing in every drill they’re doing. They’re awarded points. They’re winning, losing on every single rep,” Coach Fedora says.
Competition is the name of the game for the Tar Heels. As has always been the case under Coach Fedora, every position is up for grabs in the offseason.
“That was one of our objectives this spring – to have competition at every single position. That’s what we’re trying to develop so we’re developing depth at the same time as competing for that spot,” Coach Fedora says.
So how have the incoming freshmen been faring in their first taste of big-time ACC football? Coach Fedora says he’s seeing progress.
“Kids are learning. A lot of the concepts are different for them. They’re having to really work hard at concentrating and focusing on what their job is, but I thought the guys have done a good job,” Coach Fedora says.
Larry Fedora looks on (Jeffrey Camarati)
One of the more intriguing storylines to the preseason will be the installment of a new defense. Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, the former Auburn national championship-winning head coach, will be looking to make an immediate impact on a beleaguered UNC unit.
“It’s been selflessness, toughness and discipline. That’s what we start with in everything we do. These guys got to be selfless. They can’t care who gets the credit. They got to be very tough in terms of this is a tough game for tough guys. The discipline part of it is we got to be a much better football team when it comes to the little things we’re asking the guys to do,” Coach Chizik says.
As for Coach Fedora, he’s sensed a greater hunger and sense of excitement from the defensive side of the ball.
Gene Chizik is hoping to make a difference on the defense this spring (Jeffrey Camarati)
“You got some new guys over there. They’ve got a new philosophy and defense. They’re excited about it. I think they’re anxious to show who they are,” Coach Fedora says.
Returning Tar Heels like Marquise Williams, Ryan Switzer and Jeff Schoettmer have been filling the leadership roles for the underclassmen this spring. But Coach Fedora is challenging the veterans to up their ante even further, insistent that last season’s performance was unacceptable.
“The challenge for them is to take it to another level. What we were last year wasn’t good enough. That was average. We don’t expect to be average. We’ve got to get a lot better, so they’ve got to push each other to be better,” Coach Fedora says.
With no official spring Blue & White game this year due to the field renovations in Kenan Stadium, one of the first chances for many Tar Heel fans to see the new-look Carolina in action will come in Charlotte.
The Sept. 3 Thursday night showdown in Bank of America Stadium will pit North Carolina against South Carolina. The highly anticipated contest will kick off the 2015 college football season.
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