So I'm gonna have this blog, right? And I'm gonna update it weekly right? Well, I guess that didn't happen. So here's what's going to happen: I am going to try my hand at twitter. I realize that it is sort of like having everyone know where you are all the time and I'm only allowing Big Brother into my life more, but I suck at blogging.
Here's the link if you're interested: http://twitter.com/benbruns
In other news, pretty much every Cyclone fan I've talked to has asked me what I think of Coach Rhoads. They are usually surprised by how excited I sound as I tell them:
- that he was on the staff for 4 of my 5 years at ISU, then coached against us at Pitt in the Insight Bowl so I know him well
- that he's put together what I think is a fabulous group of coaches, who he selected in a very deliberate fashion for their ability to lead, recruit a specific area, coach fundamentals, game plan and adjust and that want to be here for specific reasons
- that he's coming into the job with eyes wide open (being the 11th or 12th in the Big XII in budget is like starting the Tour de France 500 miles behind the peloton)
- that I watched four practices this spring in which I observed kids who were hungry as hell for respect/success being coached by positive motivation and reinforcement. I went to the first day of practice...the offensive installation that day was simply the best; most well thought out use of time on a football field I'd ever seen...our identity as a football team started being ingrained in the first session and continued through the spring game.
- that each person involved with the program knows how far it has to go in order to have the success that they all want; but that they all believe it is possible with the group we have.
Teams that play ISU in 2009 will get ISU's best effort - no question about that. I've seen the building of the things coach talked about when he got here, mental toughness and pride which are the harbinger of physical toughness and execution. There will be a long hard road ahead, but we will all be proud in taking the trip.
In other news, I've been to a lot of grad parties lately for the guys on the Valley football team - we'll miss them very much as a staff next year, but I'm so proud to have been associated with them. They have great things ahead in life.
In other, other news, I'd been playing some really good golf until last night. Why does the train have to run off the tracks once a month? Why is it when you think you're starting to own your swing and the things you're trying to do you get owned? Man I love golf - but that sucks MORE than my ability to blog.
Still golf related - if you love to play the game and you're in or around the Monterrey area - you simply have to play Pebble Beach. It is expensive as all hell, but the experience is worth every penny. The course will forgive bad shots in a number of areas and punish you in others...it's fair, more forgiving that I would have thought - just a blessing to be able to play.
Thanks for reading - I'll try to be more exciting on twitter.
