Colorado State University Athletics
Addazio, Players Take First Step in Building Relationship
12/13/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The past week has been nothing but adjustment for the players.
From watching the man who recruited them to play football for Colorado State mutually agree to part ways with the university, to wondering who was going to walk in the door next. Like everybody else, the players scanned social media for any clue as to who may become their next leader.
Adam Prentice said the day-by-day, hour-by-hour of who was rumored to be coming became exhausting, never really knowing what was true.
As for the remodeling, Thursday's announcement of Steve Addazio as Colorado State's 23rd head coach was the first of many alterations.
"Change is always a tough thing, no matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, no matter how old you are," said tight end Trey McBride, who is heading into his junior season. "Change is going to be difficult. I think change can also be for the better. A lot of times, change comes and it's for the better. Ideally, that's' what we're going for here, and hopefully, Coach Addazio comes in and changes for the better, because that's what the program needs. I think the team is going to adapt very well with the new coach and what he brings to the table."
Addazio landed in Denver on Thursday morning, made his first stop on campus at President Joyce McConnell's office and then headed with his wife, Kathy, to Canvas Stadium.
His first steps were to the team room to meet with the squad he inherits.
As one of the 10 accountability captains, Prentice had a chance to have a group conversation with Addazio on Wednesday night over the phone. It was the first of what the senior fullback knows is many steps for the two sides to really get to know each other.
There was the relief of the search being over, a nameplate to put on the office door. As important as first impressions can be, Prentice knows both sides will be drinking from a firehouse for a while when it comes to building an actual meaningful relationship.
"I thought it was pretty good," Prentice said. "Obviously, it's still ongoing. He seems like he's a good guy and we'll go from here.
"You've got to give him a chance. You see what he's going to do to lead this program."
Addazio has a full schedule the remainder of the week, with eight players arriving for official visits this weekend. He also plans on meeting with the players personally, and each of them will have a one-on-one chance to ask questions.
Some have already been addressed, but some players will seek more depth. McBride said some leeway needs to be offered until the time they're all back where they want to be – on the field, working toward a common goal.
"I think he's a very straight-forward guy. He loves the game of football. I think he wants to win, and that's what he plans on doing here," McBride said. "He made it clear he's here to win ball games, and anything short of a championship is unacceptable. He's here to win.
"That first impression was good. I think he did a great job addressing the team. It's just going to take some time to get used to the new guy. I'm excited to see what Coach Addazio has for a plan and has in store. Until he can show what he's capable of doing, it's a waiting game to get back on the field."
From watching the man who recruited them to play football for Colorado State mutually agree to part ways with the university, to wondering who was going to walk in the door next. Like everybody else, the players scanned social media for any clue as to who may become their next leader.
Adam Prentice said the day-by-day, hour-by-hour of who was rumored to be coming became exhausting, never really knowing what was true.
As for the remodeling, Thursday's announcement of Steve Addazio as Colorado State's 23rd head coach was the first of many alterations.
"Change is always a tough thing, no matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, no matter how old you are," said tight end Trey McBride, who is heading into his junior season. "Change is going to be difficult. I think change can also be for the better. A lot of times, change comes and it's for the better. Ideally, that's' what we're going for here, and hopefully, Coach Addazio comes in and changes for the better, because that's what the program needs. I think the team is going to adapt very well with the new coach and what he brings to the table."
Addazio landed in Denver on Thursday morning, made his first stop on campus at President Joyce McConnell's office and then headed with his wife, Kathy, to Canvas Stadium.
His first steps were to the team room to meet with the squad he inherits.
As one of the 10 accountability captains, Prentice had a chance to have a group conversation with Addazio on Wednesday night over the phone. It was the first of what the senior fullback knows is many steps for the two sides to really get to know each other.
There was the relief of the search being over, a nameplate to put on the office door. As important as first impressions can be, Prentice knows both sides will be drinking from a firehouse for a while when it comes to building an actual meaningful relationship.
"I thought it was pretty good," Prentice said. "Obviously, it's still ongoing. He seems like he's a good guy and we'll go from here.
"You've got to give him a chance. You see what he's going to do to lead this program."
Addazio has a full schedule the remainder of the week, with eight players arriving for official visits this weekend. He also plans on meeting with the players personally, and each of them will have a one-on-one chance to ask questions.
Some have already been addressed, but some players will seek more depth. McBride said some leeway needs to be offered until the time they're all back where they want to be – on the field, working toward a common goal.
"I think he's a very straight-forward guy. He loves the game of football. I think he wants to win, and that's what he plans on doing here," McBride said. "He made it clear he's here to win ball games, and anything short of a championship is unacceptable. He's here to win.
"That first impression was good. I think he did a great job addressing the team. It's just going to take some time to get used to the new guy. I'm excited to see what Coach Addazio has for a plan and has in store. Until he can show what he's capable of doing, it's a waiting game to get back on the field."
Players Mentioned
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