The ETSU football opens spring practice and is committed to a new regime

Johnson City, Tenn. (WCYB) – While he hardly cracked the month of March, Tuesday marked a day to open the doors to Etsu football – who took over the field in William B. Greene Jr. Stadium for the first official spring practice.

For the first time in 2025 there was a look at what the new regime of BUCS football could bring.

With the head coach in the first year, Healy and his employees who took the reins, the Bucs got a good first day – and focused on the small details and principles that they want to bring into autumn.

How you do one is how you do everything. I think that has to be part of those who we are, “said coach Healy.” The same habits that we created in the conditioning meeting in the early morning must be the same habits that appear when practicing. The real question is, can you see this in practice 12? That has to separate us. It is the pleasure of being together here and playing the football game and our mentality when we come out of here.

With a fresh series of new faces through the transfer portal or an incoming newcomer, Healy and Company were impressed early on by the team's camaraderie, since they all navigate through the water to bring a new team and a new season together.

I talked to a few people about being present. For me, this means ensuring that we attack the one day that is given to us. Whether the practice or whether it is meetings or walk-through. You did that, “added Healy.” It was impressive for me how tight they became. Even in a short time, even with a new staff, even with many new players. They seem to have a really good relationship with each other.

In the meantime, Healy and his employees have been waves in the low season since his hiring at the end of 2024 and not only kept a good part of the players recruited by the last staff, but also brought in a new wave of participants, which was highlighted by the quarterback room.

In one of the most spoken QB rooms in the FCS and the attention across the country, the Bucs welcome a few former Power 4 quarters in their last trip of their college career.

Cade McNamara, who played in College Football playoff for Michigan and spent time in Iowa, competes next to the former Arkansas and North Carolina QB, Jacolby Criswell.

I have not tried to step on the toes or something, but I feel with my age and the way I try to deal with myself, I have the feeling that the boys will see me as the leader in the team. At the same time, I feel very young because I am in a completely new environment and in a completely new experience that I am used to, “said McNamara.” What really noticed me was the opportunity not only to be part of this team for me, but also to be part of a really good team, and I'm just very excited about it.

When two quarterbacks of Division I come to Etsu, where many people don't know anything about Etsu, it brings a lot of hype, but at the end of the day they just don't think about it. You just want to win. Trainer wants to win and we want to win for coaches, and that's all that matters, “said Criswell.” We bring in many new players and new coaches. Many coaches with large résumés and players with large résumés, and they are ready to fight.