San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan sported his signature blue and gold loafers Tuesday afternoon as he joined his other Bay Area coaching peers at the annual college football media day at Levi’s Stadium.
Brennan will need his lucky shoes to bring a bit more fortune in third season, after his program mustered only three wins the last two years.
“This season the difference will be we’ve settled on a quarterback, Josh Love,” said Brennan. “We’re bigger and stronger than ever on both sides of the line, and especially our running back corps is the best it’s been. Behind Tyler Nevens is a slew of good backs.”
Here are the top five lessons we learned from media day:
In Brennan’s first season, the Spartans played more than 60 underclassmen; last season just over 40 saw the field. This season Brennan touts that along with some retooling and getting bigger all-around, it will be a much more mature team.
“75 percent of the time out there, the coaches don’t have the control they think they have.” Brennan said. “It’s the seniors and their leadership that will push us through.”
In Brennan’s first answer of the day on stage, he clearly announced senior QB Love will be at the helm. Love was head and shoulders the best QB on the Spartan roster even though he missed games due to concussions.
“Josh did it the right way.” announced Brennan. “He came on as a walk-on, worked his butt off, worked through injuries and has the character that epitomizes what our program is about.”
The Spartans will have to protect Love all year if a breakout season is to be expected.
At the core of what Brennan believes is the difference between his team and the great Mountain West teams like Boise State and San Diego State will be the ability to run the ball and stop the run consistently.
“It’s no secret and everyone says that, of course, you gotta run and you gotta stop the run,” Brennan said. “This off-season was unlike any other off-season and the kids worked extremely hard in the weight room and conditioning led by our seniors.”
The Spartans have seniors Troy Kowalski and Quinn Oseland anchoring the offensive line and the likes of Cade Hall, Lando Grey, and Cameron Alexander on the defensive side.
There’s a surprisingly strong stable of tight ends given the loss of Jacksonville Jaguars third-round pick Josh Oliver. But it will be the athletic senior wide receiver Tre Hartley who should lead the way among pass-catchers. Fellow wideout Bailey Gaither, coming off a major injury last season, is right there as well.
If the Spartans target Hartley the way they did Oliver last year, he could see a chance at the next level, too.
People will be watching for consistent and responsive play-calling this season on both sides of the ball. Looking at the current roster potential, there’s enough talent to improve over the disappointment of last year.
Preparation and adaptation on-the-fly is also a major key to success, as the Spartans have more than enough players who can make a difference.
If the Spartans fail to show growth with a more senior team in Brennan’s third season, it could spell trouble for the coaching staff.
