The University of Memphis football team will scrimmage on Saturday in the annual Blue/Gray game. The scrimmage, which takes place at the Liberty Bowl, is a long-standing tradition for Tiger football.
"It won't be a game-type situation," said head coach Tommy West. "We don't have enough depth to divide into two teams. We need another scrimmage, so we'll get what we need and all of the fans will be able to see what they want to see."
Tiger fans will get a peek at how the 2001-02 team is progressing during spring training under the leadership of the new head coach.
West said he was pleased with his team's performance in spring practices. He said players have taken on a positive mentality that is vital for their improvement.
"With all the changes that have been made, I think from a mental standpoint we've done well," West said. "We have an overall understanding of what we are trying to get accomplished. I'm not happy with where we are, but I am happy with the direction we are headed in."
With the reconstruction of the coaching staff and the loss of some pivotal players, the Tigers are attempting to rebuild a team which hasn't had a winning season since 1994.
This is West's seventh year as a head coach, including one season with University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and a five-season tenure at Clemson, in which he coached in four bowl games.
West and his staff have taken on a distinct approach to directing the Tigers this season. The most important element of this approach, West said, is to build confidence.
"This team needs to be able to see and feel and realize when they have made improvements," West said. "Our staff has done a good job of putting some goals out there that are short-term and are reachable. So, instead of just practicing to practice or working to work, we are working to attain something."
Ultimately, the success of the team lies in its players and the choices they make. No one knows this better than West.
"There's no magic pill or magic speech to give a person confidence," West said. "You have to be successful at something to gain confidence, so that's what we're trying to do."
Because of graduation and some leaving for the pros, there are a lot of big shoes to fill on the Tiger team. West said it is too early to decide who exactly will be filling those shoes.
"I would like to keep competition open as long as I can," West said. "We've got some competition going on in a lot of places that I'll keep open until fall practice."
In the 1999-2000 season, the Tiger defense was ranked 23rd in the nation. As defensive coordinator, West helped bump that ranking up to fifth in the nation. The Tiger defense was also ranked number one against the rush. They hope to continue those accomplishments this season under defensive coordinator, Rich Whitt. Whitt contributed to the Tigers success last season as coach of the outside linebackers.
"The standard has been set already," said West. "They (the defense) have to live up to that."
The offense didn't fare quite as well last season. West has brought in Randy Fichtner to take over the reigns as offensive coordinator. Because of the success with the defense, the coaching staff looks to take a similar approach with the offense.
"We're going to be the aggressor," said West. "Defensively, that's always been our style. We're going to dictate to you; we're not going to let you dictate to us. That's what we're going to do with the offense."
His players have whole-heartedly adapted this attitude, according to West. Hopefully, the changes will create a more equal balance with the offense and defense.
West singled out his wide receivers for showing improvements. That's a positive sign, considering the lack of passing offense last season.
Confidence is key, according to West. He said it has taken several years of coaching and many lessons learned before getting to this stage of self-assurance. West said he hopes to instill this morale in his players.
"I'm not cocky, but I do have a little bit of an air about me when it comes time to compete," West said. "I want my team to be that way. I hope that personality comes through, that they have a little strut, a little swagger and they expect to win."
After the Blue/Gray game, the team will have two more practices before breaking for the summer.
The Tigers will scrimmage at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Liberty Bowl. Fans next chance to see the Tiger team will be Sept. 2 at Mississippi State.
