New Mocs Coach Tom Arth Conducts First Spring Practice Session

Chattanooga-(WDEF) A new era in Mocs football began Tuesday afternoon as Tom Arth conducted his first spring practice session at UTC.
The former John Carroll coach hopes to build on a Chattanooga program that has been to the playoffs the last three years.
First day of spring drills, and Coach Arth may be more excited than his players.
Said Arth:”I’m thrilled. I’ve been kind of jumpy for the last few days you know getting ready.”
Reporter:”Ever had (80-degree) weather like this before for spring practice?”
Said Arth:”No. I was telling these guys I’m used to like 20-degrees and six feet of snow pushed to the side of the field. This feels like fall camp to me. We’re good.”
Arth can handle the weather, but he’s not sure how he will handle himself in practice.
Said Arth:”Just telling some of these guys I’m not sure what to do with myself. This is the first practice of my life where I haven’t had a position group that I’ve been responsible for coaching.”
Arth hopes his players will learn his new system.
Arth:”Coming into a program that has been successful, it probably is more challenging to create that buy-in.”
Quarterback Alenjandro Bennifield says buying in will not be an issue with Coach Arth.
Said Bennifield:”Any time he comes into a room, he brings a light and an energy that no one else can. I feel like you want to do your best just because he is there.”
Bennifield admits the Mocs offense will look a little different.
Said Bennifield:”More of a pro-style offense. Won’t be such a hurry-up offense and a spread offense. More pro style. More huddle-up and underneath the center type things. It’ll be interesting.”
Said Arth:”Intensity will be high. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be we’re going to be tackling and knocking each other to the ground and things like that. You know it’s going to demand a lot. It’s going to take a lot from them to be successful through this spring. That’s what we’re really hoping to see. That committment to the process.”