LAKE CHARLES – Practice No. 7 for the McNeese Cowboys this spring season strummed to a new beat on Tuesday afternoon, literally, as the Cowboys went through their two-hour session with their favorite tunes echoing out onto the A.I. Ratcliff Practice Fields.
 
"It's just something to give them a little pep, a little pick me up," said first year head coach Sterlin Gilbert who has wasted no time in creating a new culture of Cowboy football, one that was bought into his first day on campus. "This gets the guys going," said Gilbert of the music as the Cowboys near their first scrimmage of the spring this Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
McNeese practiced in shells on the day (shoulder pads and shorts) and continue to work on the system Gilbert and his coaching staff is implementing.
 
"Things are going well but there's still a lot of work to do," he said. "Everyone if flying around the football, there's a lot of energy and enthusiasm."
 
The fast pace and up-tempo speed of the practices has the offense and defense running anywhere from 130-160 reps during skell and team periods combined, meaning most players are seeing reps.
 
No starters have been named, which in turn helps create competition at each position.
 
COACHES CLINIC THIS SATURDAY AT 9
Spots are still open for this Saturday's Cowboy Football Chalk Talk for high school coaches.
 
Registration will be held from 9-10 Saturday morning in the End Zone Club located on the second floor of the Jack Doland Field House.
 
Cost is just $20.
 
The event will begin at 10 with meetings followed by attendance at the closed scrimmage from 11-1. Lunch will be served from 1-2 then from 2-5, coaches will hear from special speakers along with break out sessions.
 
At 5, a coaches social will begin.
 
For more information, contact McNeese Director of Football Operations Jimmy Fowler at jfowler@mcneese.edu or call 337-475-5209.