Curt Cignetti Defines Success for IU's Spring Practice

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers opened their first spring practice under head coach Curt Cignetti. The new head man outlined what would be a successful spring session for the Hoosiers.

“Number one, we want to keep them all healthy. We don't want to have any significant injuries, especially to guys we think can make major contributions to the football team.” Cignetti explained. “Number two, we have to install our offense, defense and special teams schemes, and teach the way we practice. We have a certain way we practice, a certain way we play the game and things that we emphasis that we think are important in being successful. And practice should emulate the game a little bit.”

The Hoosiers were in helmets, “pajamas” as Cignetti calls it, on Thursday.

“I thought the flow was good today. Players tried to do the right thing. [We practiced for] About an hour and 55 minutes. There is not a whole lot to tell you other than we have practice again on Saturday morning.” Cignetti said.

Joking aside, Cignetti went into more detail about how the first practice.

“We are trying to promote competition. I think the defense is going to be a little shorthanded throughout the spring because they are missing some key guys that have played really good football collegiately in the past and that we expect to help us. On offense, really the only significant guy out is [Nick] Kidwell at right guard. You are looking at [James] Carpenter, who is a really good player, [Lanell] Carr's played football, [Venson] Sneed has been a top backup, Jalin Walker is an excellent linebacker. There may be another guy or two on defense [that I am missing], so they are a little thin over there, and with [Philip] Blidi leaving, which was unexpected, but he did what he did and that is all I am going to say about that, and we will keep it to our guys.”

The Hoosiers return to the practice field Saturday for the second of their 13 spring practices.