Tiger football: A new foundation

The Tigers will start rebuilding after going 5-31 over the last three seasons under former coaches Larry Porter and Tommy West, with only two wins against Conference USA opponents in that time.

Fuente said that the team has a long way to go before the start of next season.

"Obviously, we have a lot to teach from a work ethic standpoint and an accountability and discipline level," he said. "You can't build a house without a foundation."

One of the challenges faced by the new staff will be boosting the morale of a team that hasn't had a winning record in the last four seasons. Fuente said the players still need to recognize the amount of work it takes to bring the program back to a high level of competition.

"I don't think they fully understand, yet, the complete commitment it takes," Fuente said. "It's not a short term deal; there are no magic wands. It's not just a sprinkle of fairy dust."

While transitioning into a new coaching staff can be a slow process for a team, Fuente said that the team is beginning to embrace the new leadership and his coaching style.

"I think they believe what we're teaching them," he said. "I think there are still some that are hesitant to jump in with both feet and really embrace it, but I think we're reaching them."

Spring practice will mark the first time Fuente has held a head coaching position. Before being hired at The U of M, he served as co-offensive coordinator at TCU.

"You're used to going to a particular drill for the last 10 or 11 years of your life and now, all of sudden, you're not — you're in charge of all of them," he said.

During practice, Fuente will begin the process of naming a starting quarterback for next season. Last year's starter Taylor Reed will battle this spring for the lead position with Jacob Karam, a graduate-transfer QB from Texas Tech.

"They're both good athletes; they're both good people," Fuente said. "I'm looking forward to going out there and seeing what they can do."

Fuente said that the top priority of the spring sessions would not be to select starting players, but to develop the team as a whole.

"Our objective is the health of the team," he said. "There are no ones and twos at any position right now. We're trying to teach the team how to compete."

The Tigers will play their annual spring Blue-Gray Game at the Liberty Bowl on March 31. The team will begin their final season in C-USA before leaving for the Big East at home against the University of Tennessee at Martin on Sept. 1.