Putting In The Work
April 13, 2023 | Football
Bulldog coaches and players have been getting after it all spring.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's spring football schedule is beginning to wind down. The Bulldogs are finishing up an important time dedicated to developing as players and getting to know some of their new coaches.
Through rain and shine, intense heat and a few springtime chills, the Bulldogs have trained to better themselves heading into their first full season under head coach Zach Arnett and a strong group of assistants. The Dawgs have improved at their craft, and they've also started forming connections that will carry them through another big year of Southeastern Conference football.
Offensive line coach Will Friend is one of the team's newest coaches, but he has a prolific history within the SEC. This spring, he's been training his group of student-athletes and helping them progress. A Mississippi native, Friend said that he has really enjoyed the last several weeks and his return to his home state.
"I've always had pride about being from the state of Mississippi," Friend said. "Now I'm around a lot of guys from Mississippi, so that's exciting."
It's no secret that Mississippi has produced some top talent over the years for the Bulldogs, and nearly every region of the state has been well-represented. That's no different for the team's roster heading into the 2023 season. As Friend explained, he has embraced the opportunity to work with new faces from familiar places.
"Coaching is coaching, but it does mean a little something when so many of the players, you know people from their hometown," Friend said. "That's probably helped kind of relate with them and get to know some of them a bit quicker."
Mike Schmidt is another new face on the Bulldog coaching staff. He's guiding the tight ends and tackles. In 2023, MSU will feature tight ends for the first time since 2019 and Schmidt is the man tasked with helping State's tight ends get up to speed. Schmidt said that he and his fellow coaches have worked to prepare the student-athletes for every potential situation.
"We want them to experience everything that they possibly can," Schmidt said.
Schmidt has also worked alongside Friend to prepare the tackles on the offensive line, many of whom have had to adjust to blocking in a new offensive system. Schmidt said that these players have steadily excelled as the weeks have gone by.
"We're asking them to do things that they haven't done in the past, and I think you've seen a constant progression," Schmidt said.
Above all, each of Mississippi State's coaches and players have fought and worked all spring long with one goal in mind: to do whatever it takes to find success on the field this fall.
"We're going to keep striving to improve our craft and be able to be versatile players and move in all directions and help the offense out regardless of the scheme that's called," Schmidt said.
Football is a beloved sport at Mississippi State, and there's a heightened sense of excitement and anticipation regarding the future of the Bulldogs under Arnett and staff. The hard work that has gone into the past few months will be on display during the team's scrimmage during Super Bulldog Weekend. The Maroon and White Spring Game will kick off at noon on Saturday.
From there, the 2023 college football season will arrive quickly and so many fans, coaches and players can't wait. As Friend said, it's the perfect time to be a part of the Mississippi State family.
"I don't know why right now wouldn't be a great time to come to Mississippi State," Friend said.
