FORT COLLINS — When does knowing the player next to you translate into everyone doing what they’re coached to do at all times? When it strengthens trust.
At least that’s what Colorado State coach Jim McElwain, his staff and players all hope happens.
Their first week was solid. The Rams hope to continue to build on that Saturday against North Dakota State.
No matter how mundane the task, McElwain’s players were more than willing to do it, even if they didn’t execute to the level he ultimately expects. The fact this staff has been able to get these players — most of whom were on last year’s team, which struggled to get everyone doing their jobs on a consistent basis — on the same page this quickly is attributable to one thing.
Liking one another.
“He’s definitely talked to us, and made us be in a situation where we’re always around each other and love being around each other, knowing the guys who you usually wouldn’t know before,” wide receiver Marquise Law said. “Talking to guys every day, in the summertime … just little things like that.”
Said linebacker Max Morgan: “I feel closer to my teammates at CSU than I ever have before.”
That was one of McElwain’s priorities from the moment he was hired.
“It started from the day we walked in here,” McElwain said. “And it was hard. We had guys on our team that never talked to each other. I also saw guys that now walk down the hall together that aren’t from the same area code, that are having a conversation. I saw some hugs in the locker room (after the CU game) … that I’m not sure I saw when I got here.
“So, what it tells me is they at least know each other now. That’s positive. They might know their first name. They might know a little bit about who they are and where they came from. Which helps you develop a trust. When you know something about somebody — you don’t have to hang out with them — but they’re a family member.”
A lesser-known reason for getting players pulling in one direction — something they largely refused to do a year ago — is recognition. The players who score touchdowns, make sacks and kick the long field goals are easily identifiable. What isn’t identified, McElwain stressed, are those players helping make it happen.
That’s where he comes in.
“Taking the selfish out of it,” McElwain said. “I do my job for somebody else to prosper.”
Those players get their moment to shine every week in the main team room in the McGraw Athletic Center.
“The people who we reward in this team room are the guys who don’t show up in the box score,” McElwain said. “It’s the unsung heroes, and the guys that don’t show up in the box score that we recognize as a family.”
It’s making an impression.
“It lets you know that the people closest to you and the people in the organization appreciate what you’re doing,” Morgan said. “And that’s really what matters.”
Christopher Dempsey: 303-954-1279, cdempsey@denverpost.com or
