Jenkins Proud of How Wildcats Represent at Media Day
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Courtesy: BCUathletics.com
Release: 08/12/2012 |
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The third-year coach allowed himself to enjoy the moment as much as any on-field victory.
"My players represent me well and they represent the University well," Jenkins said during his media address Sunday morning. "You have guys who know what wearing that suit means and enjoy it."
As teams at every level throughout the nation prepare for season openers, the other business at hand for coaches - molding young men into future leaders - sometimes takes a back seat, but is never far from Jenkins' thought process.
"A football program is more than wins and losses," Jenkins said. "It's about building men."
Jenkins noted that some of his players are fathers and are juggling the responsibility of fatherhood and playing Division I football. Parenting skill counseling and even babysitting is available for those players.
"You'll see players bringing their kids to study hall and team meetings," Jenkins. "There's no reason for a father not to be there for their child. It's a struggle and a strain. I'm not priding myself that we have young fathers on the team - that's an issue in itself - but I am proud of those who are taking the responsibility and maintaining a high level at both."
"I couldn't be any prouder of a group of guys," Jenkins added. "I love my guys for their effort on the field, but I love them more for the men they've decided to be and what they exemplify. It's a good feeling."
Other thoughts from Jenkins:
On New Coaches: "Change is good. These people have been sent my direction to help me and teach this program something."
On Training Camp in New Smyrna Beach: "It doesn't matter where we're at. We could be in Green Bay, Wisconsin and we'd be ready. The city of New Smyrna Beach has been wonderful. They've opened up everything for us."
On last year's 8-3 record: "Those three bother me more than I like the eight. I HATE losing and that's a strong word. Games I lost in high school still bother me. Our goal is to win the national championship. We can't settle for anything less."
Does the playoff shun hurt as much?: "[Heck] yeah."
On this year's team compared to last year's team: "No team is the same as the previous year. You have to make the adjustment."
Dan Ryan - www.B-CUathletics.com
