BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcat football team started the 15 NCAA-allowed spring practices on Monday, March 30th. Keith Allen, entering his third year as the Bearcats' head coach, talks about the upcoming spring sessions.

How much fun is it for you, as a coach, to get on the field again in the spring?

"It's the best part of what we do in the spring! I enjoy recruiting and the off-season conditioning, but I really love being around our players and have a chance to see them improve on the field and gel as a cohesive team. It's nice to focus on the game of football without the pressure of anyone worrying about a Saturday and how their performance will be. We can just work on the game of football and not be rushed trying to put in certain plays. I just love teaching and coaching."

What to you hope to accomplish with the 2009 spring practices?

"Our first goal is to become fundamentally sound in every aspect, offense, defense, and special teams. We will focus on footwork, alignment and assignments, which will be beneficial. Our second goal is to find out who our playmakers are and make sure we have them in the right spot. The third goal is to establish a first class defense to go along with our offense. With promotion of Zach Wilkerson as defensive coordinator and the hiring of Darnell Walker as our secondary coach, I expect to see a new swagger and attitude on defense, especially with the addition of our 2009 signing class. On offense, I know coach (J.C.) Dawkins and staff will keep our offense as one of the best in the nation. The fourth goal as a program is that we need to keep changing the mindset of what the Bearcat football program is all about -- our guys need to expect and believe that they can execute every play and win every game in 2009."

You lost a big senior class last year. Are you excited to see who steps up in the leadership roles?

"We had 21 seniors last year, which is a great compliment to the program that we're able to keep seniors around each and every year. This year is another big class of seniors, so this off-season, we've been meeting twice a week to discuss leadership and what it really means to be a Christian leader on and off the field. I am also very excited about the progress our guys have made in the weight room this off-season under coach (Ben) Blake and really expect it to spill over into these spring practices. One of the most important positions in football is the quarterback position, and Steve Gachette is really coming around as a leader of this team. Other guys will have to prove and earn their leadership role on our team during these 15 practices, I am excited about the great leadership these kids will display. "

Can you complete this sentence: Come the end of the spring practices, the Bearcats will be better at ...?

"Being a better team. We want our players to believe in themselves, believe in each other and believe in the coaches, and the coaches need to believe in them. At the end of spring ball, we need to have that confidence that we are a strong team, knowing we will face adversity, but knowing that if we face it together as a team we can overcome any bumps in the road."

Any comments for the Bearcat fans and alumni out there in cyberspace?

"We hope to see you at some of our practices and our second annual Golf Outing and Spring Game (April 25). We need your support to take this team to a higher level. I know our fans, alumni, student body and community will be proud of this first class group of young men that wear the purple of the SBU Bearcats."

* Schedule is subject to change- please check with the SBU football office for daily schedule.