Coach Rodney Allison at the Civitan Club. Click to enlarge.
photo by John Wilson
UTC Moc football coach Rodney Allison said his goal is still to bring a national championship to Chattanooga, and he is seeing steady progress.
He told the Chattanooga Civitan Club the Mocs had a top recruiting year, including landing the #15 quarterback in the country, who "fell into our lap."
Coach Allison said in the speech at the Bessie Smith Hall, "We weren't very good last year. I didn't think we'd win a game, but we won three. We might win five or six this year."
The coach said the team is still young. He said he won't build a football powerhouse with junior college transfers but with players right out of high school.
He said several of last year's Mocs have bulked up and are lifting much heavier weights in the training room.
Coach Allison said he focuses on recruiting, saying he calls five high school coaches every night.
He said the Mocs are much improved in several areas, including quarterback, running back and the defensive line.
He said he takes a no-nonsense approach, saying he won't put up with players with an attitude or those who don't attend class.
He said he has tried a new approach this season, holding spring practices on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon and letting the players concentrate on studies the rest of the week.