The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Hold First Spring Practice On Wednesday
3/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 23, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB football team went through its first workout of 2011 spring practice Wednesday, going for just over two hours in shorts and helmets. The morning session was the first of 15 spring workouts which will last until mid-April.
UAB head coach Neil Callaway was pleased with what he saw on the UAB practice field in what was the first of three practices this week.
"It was a really good first day of practice," Callaway said. "I'm really happy with the guys effort, attitude and concentration throughout practice today. We had some busts and some things that weren't right but I thought for the first day with a new system that our energy and tempo was good."
The Blazers, who are looking to improve on last season's 4-8 record and 3-5 mark in Conference USA play, return 21 starters and 40 letterwinners on both sides of the ball. UAB has several newcomers who enrolled in January for the spring semester at practice.
In addition the the newcomers who are participating in the spring, Callaway's staff also included some new additions, highlighted by new defensive coordinator Tommy West.
"We had several coaching changes during the offseason and anytime you have changes, there are going to be some new things you will have to learn," Callaway said. "Tommy is someone who is very knowledgeable about the game and knows what he wants to do out on the field. He is demanding, but at the same time the players know he cares about them."
The Blazers will be on the field again Friday for their second practice session and Callaway said the workout would be in shells. The team will don full pads for the first time on Saturday.
