6 Reasons Why Mike Bobo Is Excited To Be CSU's Head Football Coach
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Mike Bobo is still getting settled into his new role of head coach of the Colorado State University Rams, but he's got a lot enthusiasm as he inherits a team that has been experiencing lots of success lately.
The Rams were 10-3 last season and were undefeated at home. And five different Rams from last year's squad -- including Garrett Grayson and Aaron Davis (pictured below) -- took part in the invitation-only NFL Scouting Combine last weekend.
On Xfinity Monday Live Bobo shared dozens of reasons why he's excited to be a Ram. He told CBS4's Vic Lombardi he's aiming to compete for conference championships. He's looking forward to coaching players like All-America receiver Rashard Higgins. Here are six more that Bobo took some time to explain:
1. He's Stepping Out Of His 'Comfort Zone'
"I think you've got to get out of your comfort zone to grow," said Bobo, who was born and raised in Georgia and played and then coached for the University of Georgia. "And I had become comfortable in Georgia. It was a great place to live. It was a great university to coach football at, attend and get an education at. I worked for a great man in Mark Richt but it was time for me to go on and grow as an individual."
2. He'll Be Coaching On The Field, Not From A Booth
Being on the sidelines during games will certainly be an adjustment for Bobo, who as the Bulldogs offensive coordinator mostly called the plays from the booth. There are difficulties, but Bobo said being on the sidelines "gets you more into the game."
"You get to look into your players' eyes. You can feed off their emotions. You can get guys more fired up or calmed down," he said.
3. Playing Physical Will Be Key For The Rams
Bobo told Lombardi that in order for CSU eventually to become a conference champion, they will need to find balance -- to "run the ball, play defense and, be efficient in the passing game."
"The team that's won this conference -- Boise State -- they play physical, they run the ball," Bobo said. "We want to win the conference championship, so right now we're working on the mentality of being physical. And part of being physical is being able to run the ball when people know that you're going to run the ball. That's a mindset, and we're going to live that."
4. Tyson Summers Is The Defensive Coordinator
Bobo said on the show that he "believes in who we've hired" on his staff, and one very bright spot for him is new defensive coordinator Tyson Summers, who comes from Central Florida.
"His defense was ranked in the Top 10 last year in total defense in the country," said Bobo.
Bobo said his plan is not to "micromanage" the defense.
"Summers is a bright young coach with a lot of energy, and I want him to lead. I want his personality to come out on defense, and that's playing fast, playing aggressive and playing physical."
5. New Football Stadium
The Rams are targeting the fall of 2017 as the timeframe for when they'll play their first game in their new stadium. Bobo said the approved plan for a new stadium "was big in the interview process for me."
RELATED: New CSU Football Stadium Approved By Board Of Governors
"Not how big the stadium's going to be, but 1) it's on campus and 2) the administration is behind what we're going to do there. … It shows the commitment from the administration and the people in the community that they're behind football and athletics."
Bobo said he thinks the new stadium is going to provide "a great gameday atmosphere for our fans and also the community."
6. CSU Is Special
Bobo isn't among the coaches who have bounced around from one program to the next during their careers, so the invitation to coach in Colorado was one for Bobo that was met with a lot of thought.
"I haven't been a guy that's looked for a bunch of jobs. My family knows one place, really. And I wasn't going to move them unless it was a special place, and I believe Fort Collins is that place," Bobo said.
So far, Bobo said he has found that "the college is absolutely beautiful."
"Fort Collins has been opening and welcoming. Colorado State is a fantastic university academically and athletically. … It's a great area to move my family."
See more video with Mike Bobo in the Xfinity Monday Live section on CBSDenver.com.
