Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Hickmann thrilled as second year starts
3/27/2019 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – In his first year as Middle Tennessee's head football strength coach, Matt Hickmann drew constant praise from head coach Rick Stockstill for his work in getting the Blue Raiders ready each and every week for the grind of college football.
As his second year starts, Hickmann is excited to keep building on a foundation his staff has laid. An important step in that process is this year's spring drills.
While the team will ease off its weight room work with practice three days per week for five weeks, getting through the spring well is crucial in getting ready for a tough summer program.
"We're just focused on getting them through healthy and into the summer so they're in the best situation possible for the season," Hickmann said.
Another year of familiarity has done wonders for the Blue Raiders in the weight room.
Hickmann and his staff have been able to hone in on each individual and what their needs are, and they've seen progression across the roster.
"The guys are a little more familiar with us and the program, and we're more familiar with them and what we can do with them," he said. "We had a really good offseason, and I think that will transfer into the spring.
"We're able to open that box a little more to see what we can do with them. We feel like we're in a better place, so we can just keep progressing."
Before Middle Tennessee laced up the cleats for the first spring practice on March 12, the Blue Raiders took part in mat drills.
Over the course of a couple of weeks, the players performed combat-like drills in the Murphy Center, building strength, endurance and bonds amongst themselves.
"It's fun because we get to see the guys push, and they're doing it together," Hickmann said. "Those mat drills are really hard work … but at the same time, the guys can have fun with it, too.
"One of the things we reinforced this year was chemistry and making sure guys get touches, getting high fives after every drill from all of their teammates and keeping that brotherhood up."
Hickmann's focus in his second year hasn't changed much – he wants the Blue Raiders to put am emphasis on recovery work and eating correctly to maintain what they work on in the weight room. He's also had a hand at helping Stockstill build a culture of toughness and hard work in the locker room.
"The culture here is great," Hickmann said. "The guys work on their brotherhood and they bring their energy and their juice every day in the weight room. We just hope to see that transfer out to practice."
This spring will be Hickmann's first chance to see how the Blue Raiders translate their offseason work to practice. If they perform like he thinks they will, expect even more praise heading the strength coach's way.
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
As his second year starts, Hickmann is excited to keep building on a foundation his staff has laid. An important step in that process is this year's spring drills.
While the team will ease off its weight room work with practice three days per week for five weeks, getting through the spring well is crucial in getting ready for a tough summer program.
"We're just focused on getting them through healthy and into the summer so they're in the best situation possible for the season," Hickmann said.
Another year of familiarity has done wonders for the Blue Raiders in the weight room.
Hickmann and his staff have been able to hone in on each individual and what their needs are, and they've seen progression across the roster.
"The guys are a little more familiar with us and the program, and we're more familiar with them and what we can do with them," he said. "We had a really good offseason, and I think that will transfer into the spring.
"We're able to open that box a little more to see what we can do with them. We feel like we're in a better place, so we can just keep progressing."
Before Middle Tennessee laced up the cleats for the first spring practice on March 12, the Blue Raiders took part in mat drills.
Over the course of a couple of weeks, the players performed combat-like drills in the Murphy Center, building strength, endurance and bonds amongst themselves.
"It's fun because we get to see the guys push, and they're doing it together," Hickmann said. "Those mat drills are really hard work … but at the same time, the guys can have fun with it, too.
"One of the things we reinforced this year was chemistry and making sure guys get touches, getting high fives after every drill from all of their teammates and keeping that brotherhood up."
Hickmann's focus in his second year hasn't changed much – he wants the Blue Raiders to put am emphasis on recovery work and eating correctly to maintain what they work on in the weight room. He's also had a hand at helping Stockstill build a culture of toughness and hard work in the locker room.
"The culture here is great," Hickmann said. "The guys work on their brotherhood and they bring their energy and their juice every day in the weight room. We just hope to see that transfer out to practice."
This spring will be Hickmann's first chance to see how the Blue Raiders translate their offseason work to practice. If they perform like he thinks they will, expect even more praise heading the strength coach's way.
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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