Belief is a powerful thing. Thinking you can’t win dooms you to failure. Believing you have a chance to win can inspire great things.
Consider first-year Lawrence University football coach Rob McCarthy a believer.
“We’re not sitting back this year, and our guys aren’t either. We have to believe from within, and then make others believe as we go,” said McCarthy, whose team opens the season on Saturday against Rockford University on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
“We definitely think we can be competitive. We hope to finish in the top half of the division. That’s our goal. I think we can surprise some people. I’m excited about that component.”
McCarthy took over the Lawrence program back in January and has been building a coaching staff and a team while installing new offensive and defensive systems.
He started with offensive coordinator Mark Speckman, added defensive coordinator Yon Boone and defensive line coach Chris Cunningham rounds out the full-time staff. McCarthy also added four part-time staff members.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the quality of coaches I’ve got at every position,” McCarthy said. “They are fine coaches, but they’re great, great teachers. I’m thrilled about the staff we’ve been able to put together.”
Those men have been teaching on and off the field.
“Our big rallying point is the commitment to excellence,” said McCarthy, noting that extends from the field to the classroom to the community. “That’s really been a focal point through fall camp. It’s just changing a culture. The atmosphere has been great, and the new guys have acclimated well.”
Lawrence added 11 new faces, and they hail from as far away as Florida and Texas. This talented and athletic group joins the 26 returning players, including local standouts Alic Riedel and Jake Gostisha from Appleton East and Dan Rothbauer and Cole Erickson from Appleton North.
“Camp went very, very well. The guys are eager and hungry to win and they’ve done a great job learning the schemes,” McCarthy said.
“The guys have really bought into what we’re doing and we’re excited for the game on Saturday. They’ve been great and far exceeded my expectations.”
While the “Fly” offense and multiple defensive schemes are new to Lawrence fans, the venue also is dramatically different. Renovations to Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl are ongoing and will be completed shortly, but the early feedback on the renovated facility has been glowing. In short, both the players and the fans love the new look.
“That’s going to be a great place to play,” McCarthy said with a smile. The coach added that the renovated facility figures to be a key recruiting tool as the Vikings “embrace who we are.”
“We’re going to be national recruiters and really focus on the Fox Valley. The key is putting in the work to identify the kids who want to be at a place like Lawrence,” McCarthy said.
“I think kids will be excited about what we’re doing. I know the current kids are.”