Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Hickmann thrilled with Raiders' offseason
8/7/2019 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — This summer was a little more routine for Middle Tennessee's football team than in 2018, and the Blue Raiders are already seeing the benefits of a good summer plan almost a week into fall camp.
"We were really pleased with the offseason," strength and conditioning coach Matt Hickmann said. "One of the big things we really focus on in the offseason is ownership and owning your work. If you take ownership, you'll make sure you fix things and it'll keep you accountable. The guys did an outstanding job of that this summer and really came together as a team."
Hickmann was hired in January of 2018, and he was really still getting used to the position and team when the summer hit.
This year, with a little more familiarity with the guys he was coaching, Hickmann and his staff took things up a notch, particularly in conditioning. He said every position group — from the linemen to skilled position guys, quarterbacks and special teamers — each stood out in their own way.
"The guys really were strong all the way around," he said. "The skill guys did a great job with conditioning and speed work … and the big guys did a great job with things like acceleration in sledge sprints. The conditioning we had this summer was great, and that's not an easy thing to do. They didn't bat an eye, and it just shows how resilient our team is."
In the summer, it can be difficult getting college players motivated to do conditioning and weight work when the season is months off. That's where Hickmann, a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, comes in.
"Everybody brought it every day," redshirt senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "Coach Hickmann made it fun and fresh … he just does so much for us with nutrition and getting us ready for the season. He does his part, and it makes us want to do our part because we see someone do so much for us."
Hickmann and his staff have implemented a "getting touches" rule, meaning every time players pass by each other outside of practice, they give a high five, fist bump, shoulder slap — anything to make each other feel like they're in it together.
"Every time you see someone pass you in the weight room or anywhere, you give them knuckles or a high five," Hickmann said. "That's just helping us come together as a team.
"There are going to be days when you're struggling, and you need guys to pick you up. It's a team; no one is out here alone."
Through five practices, the "getting touches" rule has resonated with the players, and their solid summer work is shining through.
"I think it will be a little more prevalent as we go through camp, but I think we're more conditioned and ready to go," Hickmann said. "The guys are moving around faster and more consistently to the ball, and that's really awesome to see."
Now in his second camp at Middle Tennessee, Hickmann's lessons on conditioning, weight training and nutrition seem to be taking hold with the players.
It's early on, but so far, the summer workouts are paying dividends, and the Blue Raiders have their strength and conditioning coach to thank.
"He's the man," Manciel said. "Shout out to Coach Hickmann."
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.
"We were really pleased with the offseason," strength and conditioning coach Matt Hickmann said. "One of the big things we really focus on in the offseason is ownership and owning your work. If you take ownership, you'll make sure you fix things and it'll keep you accountable. The guys did an outstanding job of that this summer and really came together as a team."
Hickmann was hired in January of 2018, and he was really still getting used to the position and team when the summer hit.
This year, with a little more familiarity with the guys he was coaching, Hickmann and his staff took things up a notch, particularly in conditioning. He said every position group — from the linemen to skilled position guys, quarterbacks and special teamers — each stood out in their own way.
"The guys really were strong all the way around," he said. "The skill guys did a great job with conditioning and speed work … and the big guys did a great job with things like acceleration in sledge sprints. The conditioning we had this summer was great, and that's not an easy thing to do. They didn't bat an eye, and it just shows how resilient our team is."
In the summer, it can be difficult getting college players motivated to do conditioning and weight work when the season is months off. That's where Hickmann, a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, comes in.
"Everybody brought it every day," redshirt senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "Coach Hickmann made it fun and fresh … he just does so much for us with nutrition and getting us ready for the season. He does his part, and it makes us want to do our part because we see someone do so much for us."
Hickmann and his staff have implemented a "getting touches" rule, meaning every time players pass by each other outside of practice, they give a high five, fist bump, shoulder slap — anything to make each other feel like they're in it together.
"Every time you see someone pass you in the weight room or anywhere, you give them knuckles or a high five," Hickmann said. "That's just helping us come together as a team.
"There are going to be days when you're struggling, and you need guys to pick you up. It's a team; no one is out here alone."
Through five practices, the "getting touches" rule has resonated with the players, and their solid summer work is shining through.
"I think it will be a little more prevalent as we go through camp, but I think we're more conditioned and ready to go," Hickmann said. "The guys are moving around faster and more consistently to the ball, and that's really awesome to see."
Now in his second camp at Middle Tennessee, Hickmann's lessons on conditioning, weight training and nutrition seem to be taking hold with the players.
It's early on, but so far, the summer workouts are paying dividends, and the Blue Raiders have their strength and conditioning coach to thank.
"He's the man," Manciel said. "Shout out to Coach Hickmann."
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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