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Sports

Briles provides mild sedative for pigskin junkies

UH coach discusses off-season, new coaches and Heisman hype 

by Chris Elliott
THE DAILY COUGAR

The UH football team will report to training camp Aug. 2 to prepare for what some believe will be coach Art Briles’ best season since he took the job in 2002. But for a majority of the team, this summer has been a jump start for what Briles believes will be a productive training camp.

"They’ve been going to summer school and preparing their bodies and minds for this season. It’s gotten to be a full-time deal. They really don’t get any time off," Briles said.

When the players are not attending summer school, they can be found in the Athletic/Alumni Center.

"The team never really stopped training," Briles said. "Right now they’re lifting four days a week preparing for August."

After last year’s season ended, the interior of Houston’s coaching staff got a makeover. More than five new staff members were added to the Briles coaching staff, including defensive line/special teams coach Tony Fitzpatrick and defensive backs and recruiting coordinator Chris Thurmond. They will have their jobs cut out for them when training camp begins.

"We did a great job in the spring," Briles said. "This summer, (head strength and conditioning) coach (Larry) Jackson and (assistant strength and conditioning) coach (Chad) Dennis have done a great job of keeping the guys motivated properly and getting them physically fit." 

One player who has gotten a lot of attention in his tenure at UH is quarterback Kevin Kolb ­ and expect more with the recent Heisman buzz created by the Houston media.

"He’s really excited, " Briles said. "But also he’s grounded enough to understand that he’s been fortunate enough to be able to stay healthy and play for three previous years and play with a lot of great players around him. He understands that if our team wins, it benefits his opportunity to go for it."

In order to maintain a winning team, Briles is expecting some guys from last year’s team to have a bigger impact this season.

"We’ve got a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Two or three new players that could come in and make some noise for this season could be (wide receiver) Biren Ealy on offense. (Running back) Roshawn Pope could make some noise." Briles said.

With teams from power conferences such as Miami and Oklahoma State on the schedule this season for UH, the team, as usual, is planning to take the season one game at a time.

"Rice … that’s our first game. That’s the only one we’re thinking about right now," Briles said.

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