New head coach Latimore expects team excellence
Jeff Moses
Football is as much a physical game as it is a mental game. A fast-paced, adrenaline pumping battle for physical and strategic dominance, would feel right at home for a retired Marine colonel and thus, comes the Mesa Thunderbirds new Head Coach Denver Latimore.
Latimore is no stranger to the Mesa Thunderbird tradition. He stood on the sidelines for 20 years as the defensive line coach, but being promoted from assistant coach does not mean that things are going to stay the same for the T-Birds.
Latimore is working tirelessly to instill a new philosophy in the locker room, on the field, and in the classroom. In the locker room, Latimore is trying to promote a sense of family amongst the players.
“When they come here they have 75 brothers,” he said.
On the field he has focused on conditioning.
“A well conditioned team makes fewer mistakes. I want the 4th quarter to feel like the 1st when we’re out there,” said Latimore of his approach toward team conditioning.
When asked what he felt his teams strengths and weaknesses were the on field, however, the coach was far more evasive saying, “I wouldn’t want to say our strengths, it would ruin the element of surprise.”
Off the field, and away from the game, is perhaps where Latimore has implemented the biggest changes for his players. He has enforced a no profanity rule amongst the team, and has stated he expects 4.0 team GPA.
“I would like my players to be both gentlemen and scholars,” said Latimore of his expectations of his players off the field.
Latimore stated his priority was to mold each individual into young men as well as football players.
“You can make great men at the same time as you make great players” Latimore said.
