An Attitude Adjustment at Wake Forest
Jim Grobe, coming off his first losing season since 2005, has laid down the law to this year’s team.
No more Mr. Nice Guy.
“I’ll just tell you, I was too nice last year,’’ Grobe said at today’s media day gathering at BB&T Field. “I tolerated some average attitudes on our football team. If you don’t have a good attitude this fall, you will not be on this football team. That’s just the way it’s going to be.’‘
Grobe’s comments came in response to a question about Alex Frye, the senior cornerback from Fayetteville who was removed from the active roster for three games last year for reasons Grobe never fully explained—other than to say that Frye’s attitude was not what it should be. Frye had a good spring, and is back in the good graces and running first team at the cornerback opposite sophomore Kenny Okoro.
“He had a good attitude in the spring,’’ Grobe said. “Of course we’re not with our players in the summer. We’re not allowed to be NCAA-wise. So I don’t really know how the summer went. But so far, the first couple of practices, he’s been fine.
“I think Alex’s biggest issue is going to be consistency. Every once in awhile he’ll take a lazy step. He won’t quite be full-speed. And we’re not going to play anybody like that. But I will say he has responded to everything we’ve asked him to do. So far he’s been a pleasant surprise, and he’s working for the right guy right now because Brad (Lambert, Wake’s cornerbacks coach and defensive coordinator) is not going to put up with anything.
“He’s been a real high-maintenance guy for us in the past, and now he’s a low-maintenance guy. And I like that. I tell our kids, `I go to bed with heartburn, you’re going to pay the price the next day.’ ‘’
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By Dan Collins on 08/07/2010 (12:45 pm)
Comments
Dan,
On scout.com, Michael Jennings wrote that in his ten years of covering Wake Forest, Jim Grobe “...has never spoken as enthusiastically about the depth and talent on a team as he has this year”. Do you agree?
I have no problem with Coach Grobe saying that this year’s team is more athletic, deep, talented, etc. than any team he has coached. Especially in light of the fact that the group has been largely overlooked by so-called experts, I think that it is a good idea for the coach to remind his players that they should expect more of themselves, and that he will hold them to a much higher standard than those outside the program.
In this sense, I think that Coach Grobe has a better motivational tool at his disposal than the underdog role - he’s coached an ACC Championship team and there is no reason why this team shouldn’t demand that level of performance of itself.
This line of thinking follows what Alex Frye spoke about in the article cited by John S below. This year’s senior class is simply used to a higher standard, and they are determined to leave the school with that standard intact. Good for them. It’s not about surpassing the expectations of the pre-season prognosticators (merely finishing 4th in the Atlantic Division would accomplish that!). It’s about performing at a level befitting Wake Forest.
DC on 08/09/2010 (3:38 pm)
I think this Deacon team will surprise people the first half of the season. We are young, but very, very talented. I definitely see them in a bowl game.
deacondamo on 08/09/2010 (9:58 am)
It’s great to hear about the way that Coach Grobe not just gets his players ready to play football but also helps them to become disciplined and productive young men off of the field too. This is yet another reason why - win, lose, or draw - I am proud to be a Demon Deacon!
Matt on 08/09/2010 (8:29 am)
There was a great article in the Fayetteville Observer today that compliments this article. It is written from Alex Frye’s prospective and reflects the same commitment to discipline. It has helped change my opinion of the guy and the leader he can be for this team.
John S on 08/08/2010 (4:47 pm)
Carl…I expect the following from the Deacs this fall….
110% commitment to the team
110% hustle and hard play
0-5% mental mistakes
If my expectations are met, I think the Deacs will be in contention for some sort of bowl game….didn’t say make a bowl….I said in contention and with some luck, we just might get a bid.
I’m not lowering these expectations because win, lose or draw, the team must play with those goals in mind.
Ken Green on 08/07/2010 (10:31 pm)
Just coach talk!
kidding. Coach has a mean streak without being mean! Every decent coach must be a disciplinarian.
mebanedeac on 08/07/2010 (4:52 pm)
Don’t expect too much from the “Deacs” this season. Too many question marks, Not many proven players out there at this time. From here, it looks like they are going to rely on their ground game for a part of the season.
carl on 08/07/2010 (1:54 pm)
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