Holgorsen navigates choppy, uncharted waters
With an unpredictable schedule, University of Houston coach Dana Holgorsen has taken a “roll with the punches” approach.
Welcome to a COVID-19 world (mixed with an impending hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico), as college football coaches navigate uncertainty on how to safely proceed with a fast-approaching season through a pandemic.
“It’s a constant everyday battle,” Holgorsen said during a videoconference call Tuesday. “I’ve changed our (practice) schedule 3,000 times since June 1. Now I’m looking at the Weather Channel and I’m changing it again. It’s just something that we are used to.”
By pencil, not pen, has been the preferred method of writing down plans this offseason.
The Cougars were halfway through spring practice in midMarch when the coronavirus shut down the sports world. Voluntary workouts were given the OK once stay-at-home orders were lifted. Those lasted two weeks at UH before six student-athletes tested positive in early June.
After almost a month, UH resumed workouts, a mix of strength and conditioning that is critical during the early portion of the summer and organized team activities.
At the same time, Power Five conferences were split on playing in the fall, causing a domino effect that cost the Cougars one non-conference game (Washington State). Rather than begin the season Sept. 3 against Rice in the Bayou Bucket — the game is currently on hold as the two schools discuss options — the Cougars open Sept. 19 at Memphis in what is presently an abbreviated 10-game schedule.
Some good news: Holgorsen said there has been no COVID-related stoppages since workouts resumed six weeks ago.
“Since we restarted, we’ve had zero issues, so I’m very pleased with what our protocols are right now and very pleased with how our players are handling the new world we live in,” Holgorsen said.
As fall camp is underway, Holgorsen said there has been the need for balance between making sure players have gone through proper conditioning and not overloading with the season still several weeks away. That’s on top of observing strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
“When we got them back June 1, they were de-conditioned,” Holgorsen said. “We got a couple weeks with them and made some gains, and then we had to hit the pause button. We got back in midJuly and they were de-conditioned.
Some you could tell had done some stuff, and some you could tell hadn’t done anything.”
Holgorsen estimates 35 percent of the team — incoming true freshmen and transfers — were not on the roster during the spring.
“You usually get eight to nine weeks of strength and conditioning in the summer,” Holgorsen said. “Nobody got that.”
Asked if he would like to schedule an earlier game rather than open with conference play, Holgorsen said: “That’s still 3½ weeks away. I think we need that extra time to prepare.”
The way college athletics conducts business also has changed in just a few months.
Players, coaches and staff wear masks throughout the AthleticsAlumni Center and physical distancing is encouraged in team meetings and on the sidelines when possible. UH players now go through daily screenings and serial testing. At the start of voluntary workouts, the school only tested athletes that experienced symptoms.
Holgorsen added that UH has taken the additional step of hiring doctors to offer guidance through the pandemic.
“One thing that’s happened during the COVID period is, if you are sick, stay home,” Holgorsen said. “That didn’t exist in football ever.”
For now, Holgorsen and the Cougars will continue to prepare for the season opener. Has he discussed the possibility the season may not be played?
“We remain optimistic,” he said. “We’re working hard and preparing and moving forward until somebody tells us not to.”