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03/26/04 - Excerpts from the Chris McNeil premium interview.

Coach Croom has really emphasized discipline and, as you know, he has already made it known in his actions that he's not just talking the talking, but walking the walk. Is this something that you players have readily accepted?
"The attitude is everybody is for it. When he came in he said he has a system that he wants to implement but in order for it to work, everybody has to be working toward the same thing. He said last year you had 120 guys going in 120 different directions to reach one goal. He said we have to have 120 guys going in the same direction to reach the same goal. He said if we can do that, then we have a chance to be successful. Each individual person has the option of what they want to do. It's not like we have a leash around our throats. But, if you don't do it, you are not going to be playing here. It is definitely his way or the highway, but his way is good. The things we are doing now are things we should have been doing ever since we came up here."

How has the discipline aspect affected you personally?
"It was almost like the team was caught in a rut. It was like the confidence level had gone down. It was almost like we didn't know what to do. When Coach Croom came in, it was like he developed an entire new plan for us. Since I have gone by that plan, I can say my personal life had changed dramatically. He expects you to go to class. There is no more of this getting in trouble. If you get in trouble, you are gone. I've seen that. You've seen it."

Coach Nowell, the new strength coach for MSU, has a new strength and conditioning system. What do you think about it?
"We are doing a lot of powerlifting. It is explosion and working on fast-twitch muscles. Football is not a lot of long distance stuff. It is high impact, quickness type things. That is why we are doing a lot of explosive lifts, things like power cleans. You can notice how dramatically it has changed. Everything we are doing is improving quickness and speed."

Now that you have been around Coach Croom for a few months, what is your impression of him?
"He is a laid back kind of guy. He is more on a personal level with you. He is a hands-on people type person is the best way to describe him. He cares not only about you as a football player but also as a person. We have had brought people in to give seminars about issues that college football players are faced with. We've had them in the past but we having them pretty much every week now. He just wants to make sure when we leave here we will be better men."

03/25/04 - Excerpts from Coach Croom spring practice quotes.

Is Omarr Conner the number 1 quarterback on the depth chart right now?
"He is the one that will be with the first unit today, but the depth chart really means nothing today. Probably through the course of the rest of the week, it really doesn't take on a lot of meaning. We're dancing around in shorties today and the rest of the week and the game isn't played like that. It doesn't really count until you put on pads as far as the depth chart is concerned. What we do today is important, however, in what we want to get done as far as laying a foundation for the future."

Who were some of the guys that stood out during the off-season?
"A lot of guys stood out. I thought that Chris McNeil had an outstanding off-season. Chris worked extremely hard every workout. He showed a lot of tenacity and leadership during the course of the program. I haven't looked at our detention list but I don't think he missed a class. I am very pleased with where he is at. Omarr Conner had good work habits. Aries Nelson did some good things, and, at times, was inconsistent. I thought that Ron Fields did some good things after starting off slow. He really worked well before we went out on spring break. There were a lot of guys but those guys stood out."

How much of your offense do you expect to install during the spring?
"Realistically, about 15%."

Really, when do you plan on putting in the remaining 85%?
"The other 85% will take years to put in. This group will not have time to learn it all."

03/22/04 - Former Mississippi State offensive line coach Steve Campbell has been named the new head football coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Steve, who coached at MSU last season, replaces Bill Lee who took the head football coaching job at Starkville High School.