Delaware State Hornets football: There's a new boss in town at spring practice

DOVER, DE -- It has only taken a week and a half for new Delaware State University football coach  Kermit Blount to raise the energy level among the Hornets players with new assistant coaches, a revamped playbook and an optimistic eye on the future.

For Blount, this has been a spring football camp full of learning players' names, evaluating talent and bringing in fresh ideas. The Hornets' two-week camp will culminate with the annual Red/White scrimmage at Alumni Stadium on Saturday night at 6.

"I'll tell you what, I'm really, really pleased with how the kids are responding to what we're asking them to do on the field as well as off the field," said Blount, who coached at Winston-Salem State for 16 seasons before accepting the DSU post. The players are obviously responding to the new energy.

HORNETS ADJUST TO CHANGE THIS SPRING

Dover, Del. -- The Delaware State University football team has passed the halfway point of its first spring camp under new head coach Kermit Blount. The two-week camp has been highlighted by the installation of new offensive and defensive systems.

"I'm really pleased with how well the guys have adapted to the changes we've made," said Blount, who was introduced as head coach of the Hornets on Feb. 4. "We've given them a lot to digest in a short time, but the energy level has remained high throughout camp. There's still a lot of work to do, but the transition has been relatively smooth so far."

The Hornets expect to return more than 40 letter winners, including 15 starters from their 2010 team, which won two of the last three games to post a 3-8 overall record and 2-6 mark in the MEAC. There are about 75 players participating in spring camp, including up to 12 newcomers.

"We (the coaching staff) have conducted camp as if everyone is fighting for starting jobs," Blount said. "Of course, guys will step up throughout the spring, but everything will be up for grabs come summer camp. I've been particularly pleased with our athleticism, while our biggest concern is developing depth on both sides of the ball, especially along the lines."

Delaware State will wrap up spring drills with the annual Red/White scrimmage on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

The Hornets will kick off the 2011 season at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Sep. 3. The home opener is Sep. 10 against Shaw University.

By DSU Athletic Media Relations

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: DSUHORNETS