Becoming a team that has an identity, structure and tight relationships is something that Coach Alex Golesh has preached he wants Auburn to take on in his first year as the team’s leader.
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On the eve of fall camp, Golesh addressed the media and began by talking about something that became a tradition with him at USF that is being instilled with the Tigers.
Auburn will load up Tuesday afternoon to head to Marriott Resort Grand National in Opelika for the next 13 days, providing the players an opportunity to bond with each other and stay focused on nothing but football as preseason camp kicks into high gear.
“There’s no nothing; no girlfriends, no dogs, cats, whatever guys are into,” Golesh said. “It’s truly just us for the next 13 days, which is actually huge for us. We need it.”
This change for the program will follow what Golesh did in all three of his years at USF, taking the athletes out of their own residence during fall camp and eliminating any potential distractions.
For this portion of fall camp, the players will take buses to the facility in the morning before being driven back that evening, something that has garnered excitement among the team.
“We did it all three years previously for me as a head coach,” Golesh said. “The distractions naturally come from guys driving back and forth. There’s always something. I’m going to sneak an hour nap in here… We talk so much about process, we’re trying to build it for them to where you wake up, get on a bus and then you’ll get back later on in the evening.”
Golesh said when placing players with each other, he thought carefully as he wanted to build a routine that teaches the players what success looks like in every aspect of the season.
That’s why while the players may not be each other’s best friends, that they will bond and learn what it takes to reach the acceptable standard with the Tigers.
“We were strategic in the roommates for the most part; it’s an older guy that’s played, that’s done it, that’s been there who’s got a young guy with him so he can teach him,” Golesh said.
Auburn has three off days built into its schedule over the course of camp, but outside of that, Golesh said it will be pretty routine as far as daily happenings go.
From the time the team arrives, the players will stay at the resort for 13 days until Aug. 17, which is when classes start.
All of it will lead up to a mock game week on the last full week of the month as the team prepares for Baylor, which will take place on Sept. 5 in Atlanta.
Golesh shared his excitement for the season, leaving the room with a fist pump before saying, “It’s football time, guys. Let’s ride.”
“It’ll be a heck of a journey,” Golesh said. “To tell you I’m excited would be an understatement. I’m just beyond fired up to go to work and be on the football field again with these guys and continue to build our identity.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
