Michigan Technological University football coach Dan Metluck addresses the team after a game against Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Curley Stadium in Houghton. (David Archambault/For the Gazette)
[Editor’s note: This story is the first of a series looking at the Michigan Tech Huskies spring football practices.]
HOUGHTON — With the annual spring game taking place on Saturday, the Michigan Tech Huskies football team will be preparing for an intensive four-week program aimed at assessing exactly what the Huskies will be doing this fall season. A fulfilling spring ended with a great practice session.
While the weather in the Copper Country has been mostly mild this winter, the Huskies have had some minor issues with their practice schedule.
They were able to prepare for spring practice by training outdoors as much as possible, but during the four weeks they could be on the field as a team, two storms dumped snow on the area. Thankfully, Michigan Tech's grounds staff acted quickly and minimized the effects of the storm, according to head coach Dan Metluck.
“We were lucky to have very nice weather this winter.” “So the field was ready and the players had great energy.
“If we had gone a month earlier, we probably would have had better weather. But before all the storms, the grounds staff and Mother Nature helped us out and when the storms came, we It helped us to the point where we didn’t have to deal with feet of snow.”
The lack of heavy snow all winter and an adjusted schedule helped the Huskies stay on track.
“We were able to proceed as planned.” Metluck said. “This year we backed everything up to four weeks of spring ball instead of five weeks. So we didn't have to adjust our practice methods. We were on schedule the whole time.”
Of course, if the team doesn't accept the intentions of the coaching staff, the weather won't matter at all. Mettlak is in his second season as the Huskies' head coach, and he feels things went more smoothly this spring than last.
“The biggest thing that we all realized is our current staff, our current group in the locker room, how we wanted to practice last year, how we wanted to do it in the weight room and what we were going to do. I think we've set a standard for what the meeting should look like. ” He said. “So if anyone was surprised by the way spring ball played out last year, no one was surprised this year. It allowed us to raise our expectations a little bit.”
“We're lucky for the players in the locker room right now. It's good that our expectations aren't higher than the kids.”
Special teams coordinator Phil Milbrath, who played at Michigan Tech after Mettlach's career ended, said the message hasn't changed, but players have a better understanding of what is expected of them this spring. I agree with Mettlach that there is.
“The message is always the same, it never changes or wavers.” He said. “Everyone has always been agreed on that, but perhaps just a little bit, the details have become (clearer) of what we mean when we say the constant pursuit of excellence.
“I think the message is always the same, going through that spring, that summer, that fall season where everyone was working hard together, going through the offseason and coming back in the spring, the players have always been bought in. , we have further opportunities to build on and continue to build on the foundations that have already been laid even stronger.”
With the Huskies heading into their first season with veteran players like wide receiver Darius Willis, defensive back Michael Bates Jr. and defensive lineman Sam Kinne, Metluck said last season's junior class will be even better next season. I'm excited to see him step into a big leadership role.
“We have a mature group that handles a good portion of the day-to-day things that we don't have to take care of in the locker room.” Metluck said. “But I would say the biggest thing this year compared to last year is that we're all on the same page now in terms of what we want to see on the field and how we go about it. This year, we were able to improve it little by little.”
Ensuring that both players and staff understand what is expected of Coach Mettlach as he attempts to push the Huskies into the top half of the GLIAC standings each year will ensure everyone is working toward that goal from day one. can.
“I think we spent a lot of time last year getting them to understand what we have and getting them to have confidence.” Metluck said. “What we're doing is going to put us in a competitive situation. I felt like we were competitive last year. The standards that I'm talking about raising now are the players to a point where we can not only not bow down to people, but compete in this league.
“(We) want to go into every weekend with the mindset that we're not just going to play, but we're going to win. So those behaviors and thought processes are more or less everyday. That's what happens every day. We have to have that mindset and at the same time try to soften it to the point where we don't think about anyone again.”
The end goal right now is to compete for a GLIAC championship, something Mettlach knows all too well after winning a championship as a player at Michigan Tech.
“It’s been a while since a team competed for a conference championship.” He said. “So I want our players to have confidence that we can do it, but I also want them to understand that it's a day-to-day thing, a week-to-week thing. Nothing. You can't miss it. Take care of your business one step at a time before you get to the point of playing for what makes sense at the time.”
With only four weeks on the field, the Huskies don't have as much time to repeat practices as they do during the season, but they can be a great learning tool if used effectively. That's how Metlak and his staff approach the fountain.
“Spring ball is definitely a short season and there’s only so much you can do with the way we approach it.” Metluck said. “Not only are we trying to get our young players used to our system, but they're on the scout team and they're reading cards all the time, so they might not get an opportunity in the fall. I mean, let's get them to understand what we're doing from an offensive or defensive special teams standpoint, and at the same time give our veterans enough reps to help them improve. That's what you're saying.
“I feel like we did a really good job offensively and defensively with what we introduced. We didn’t put anything on their plate. I think this repetition was good. Not only did I understand what I was doing, but I was able to improve those skills.”
