Snively, who was hired to lead the Mohawks on May 12, has assembled a coaching staff, cleaned up and painted the Mohawks locker room and met with several community groups while also preparing for his first season as a head football coach.
“It’s been great,” Snively said Wednesday, July 15, after Madison’s second of 10 summer workout days at Brandenburg Field. “The tempo has definitely been the biggest change ... for coaches and players.
“From the weight room to practice, everything has to have a sense of urgency.”
Snively was an assistant coach for several years before being hired at Madison. He was on staff in 2004 when the Colerain Cardinals won the Division I state championship, and he’s also been an assistant at Winton Woods, Lakota East, Monroe and Middletown.
The Mohawks will use two more of their days this week, and then will compete in a 7-on-7 at Fenwick on Tuesday.
Four more days will be used during the last week of July, and Snively is searching for another 7-on-7 for his last day.
“Today felt really good,” Snively said of the four-hour workout. “The kids are learning about us as much as we are learning about them, but they are buying into everything we’re doing.”
Snively’s staff includes familiar Madison names as well as a few new faces.
Jeff Rippl, who was a finalist for the head coaching job with Snively, remains as the defensive coordinator and also will coach linebackers.
Also returning from last year’s staff are Chad Thompson (quarterbacks), Luke Bartlett (wide receivers), Ron Conley (running backs and special teams).
New coaches are Kurt Himmelwright (defensive backs) and Jeff Adams (offensive and defensive line).
Snively is expecting about 50 to 60 kids in his program this year.
“I’m happy with those numbers,” he said. “Again, the big push I had was to create tempo as a team.
“There is great support out here,” he continued. “And this community wants this program to get over the hump and be a strong competitor in the league. To do that, we have to create a winning attitude.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.
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