As the Texas Longhorns work to install new coordinator Sterlin Gilbert's veer-and-shoot offense this spring, the increased tempo in practice is helping ensure that the 'Horns maintain a consistently high level of focus, according to head coach Charlie Strong.
Through the first three practices, Strong has been encouraged by the competitiveness of his third team in Austin. While the tempo has surely played a role, the long layoff as a result of missing a bowl game has also been a major factor.
"I think that everyone that's seen us not get to a bowl game, but sitting at home, really bothered them," Strong said earlier in the week. "And it bothered a lot of them, because at first they thought they were going to get all of this rest, but when December 31st hit they all thought they could come back. Now it's January, the first day they come back we say no, you can't come back. Now you're beginning to feel it a little more, and it's important to them."
Watch the video above for more insights from Strong on the first week of spring practice, including the latest on the quarterback competition and an anecdote on early enrollee center Zach Shackelford's own competitiveness during winter conditioning.