Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Review: Coordinators
3/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
 Photos | Sudfeld | Simmons |  Wilson |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football kicked off their 2015 spring season on Thursday morning. IU offensive coordinator Kevin Johns and defensive coordinator Brian Knorr gave their opinions on the first practice.
"It was a great day of work," Knorr said. "There was a lot of energy, a lot of guys flying around, learning how to practice without pads on."
By "without pads", Knorr meant that players had worked with teammates or on their own in the offseason, including training in pads. Knorr was pleased with the first day mostly because the players energy level indicated a strong collective work ethic in the offseason.
"This is the first opportunity we've had to see them go," Knorr said. "We can tell that they've been doing a lot of hard work on their own."
When asked about the team's ultimate goal for their spring practices, Knorr emphasized molding the defense into a more cereberal, mature unit.
"Great communication, fewer busts, guys understanding in each defense where the weakness is," said Knorr. "Being able to pursue the ball is the most important thing this year. We have to eliminate the big plays from last year."
Watch the full interview with Knorr from the first spring practice here:
Johns had optimistic feelings on the first practice as well.
"It went really well," Johns said. "Some good, some bad, but the kids played really hard. There was a lot of energy out there today."
The focus for the Hoosiers in the 15 practices, according to Johns, is to learn and adapt to IU's up-tempo style of play.
"Our goal is to learn how we play the game--how to play fast, see signals, get lined up, and communicate," said Johns. "Right now the concerns are less physical and more mental as we learn how to play."
Watch the full interview with Johns from the first spring practice here:
IU will have three more practices in March and seven in April before the annual Cream & Crimson Spring Game, which will kick off at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 18.
"We had a good winter," Wilson said. "It's translated into playing a little more crisply as we start up work here."
CREAM & CRIMSON SPRING GAME IN 22 DAYS
The Hoosiers kick off the 2015 Cream & Crimson Spring Game at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 18. They will also host a Little 500 pre-bash evening open scrimmage on Thursday, April 23.
