Football | 3/27/2019 5:57:00 PM
SAVANNAH-Ga, -- Savannah State University football players and their first-year head coach Shawn Quinn couldn't wait to get started.
But there was a problem. Quinn said some players had academic conflicts, causing him to push the start of spring practice to Thursday.
That didn't stop 72 players getting in a pre-spring football workout on Wednesday morning.
The 90-minute dress rehearsal did not include helmets or pads, or even a football for that matter, but Quinn saw the gathering as beneficial.
"We talk all the time about 'think it, speak it, do it,' Quinn said about the pre-first day enthusiasm. "We're trying to create a winning culture here. Our guys have bought into it. (We're) just trying to start over fresh with the whole program."
The Tigers, 2-8 last season, are getting that fresh start, starting with Quinn who was the team's defensive coordinator a year ago.
In the past, Quinn wanted to cheer when his defense came up with a good play. His focus now will incorporate the team's big picture.
"You want to look at both sides of the ball and make sure they're working on what they have to get better at," Quinn said. "You look at it from a different perspective because you're looking at the mojo of the whole football team."
Quinn said he'll add more option football to the offensive attack. Fleet-footed returning quarterback D'Vonn Gibbons will be a top candidate to lead the offense.
"I joked we'll be Army South," said Quinn, who worked with Army head coach Jeff Monken while at Georgia Southern. "As a defensive guy, (the option attack) can be a nightmare to deal with. I've said, everything that's given us an issue (on defense), I want our offense to do."
SSU will have a different perspective in competition as well. The school transitions into Division II and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) next season.
"Here's how I'm looking at it," Quinn said. "We have a chance to compete for a national championship. Everybody thinks I'm crazy when I say that, but Valdosta State has won it (last season). West Georgia has been in the mix. Why can't we do that here?"
Quinn hopes to get on that winning road Thursday. It will be the first of 15 spring practices in accordance with NCAA regulations.
The team will have scrimmages April 12 and April 19 and will conclude the spring April 27 with the annual Orange and Blue Spring Game at T.A. Wright Stadium at 1 p.m.
"It's like the Blue Brothers -- we have a half tank of gas and 1,000 miles to go," said Quinn, thinking about a clip in the popular 1980's movie. "We have a lot of work ahead, but the energy and enthusiasm have been great."
