For the first time in three years McNeese State’s football program will hold an official offseason practice.

A lot has changed since the spring of 2019 as the Cowboys begin the Gary Goff era today with workouts inside their stadium.

Goff is the third coach since the last spring camp for McNeese and he is ready to go.

“We are excited to get on the field with these guys,” Goff said. “The kids seem excited to go, as well.”

Goff is coming off a national championship runner-up season at Valdosta State, signing a deal with McNeese to help turn the program around. The Cowboys went 7-11 during two seasons last year.

“We have a lot of work to do but we are ready to do it,” said Goff. “We have already made some tremendous gains in the weight room. We are in shape right now.”

Some 90 players are expected to be in camp that will be fast-paced as the new staff puts in the Air-raid offense.

“Tempo is the key,” said Goff. “We want to see guys flying around. If we make a mistake it’s going to be going 100 miles an hour.

“We want to play as fast as we can. We want them playing at full speed. You can only make lifting weights and conditioning full for so long.”

And one thing Goff wants to do is make sure his team enjoys playing.

“I want to see the team go out there and have fun,” he said. “We know they are gong to make mistakes but we want those to be done now not in the season. What we really want to see is effort.”

Goff has spaced out his practices during this camp in order to have days built in for learning. Each practice day will be followed by reviewing of film and meetings.

“A lot of teaching,” Goff said. “We are going to teach it right. We don’t want to slow down practices we will go over the teaching points in the meetings.”

There are questions surrounding the team mainly at offensive line and in the secondary. The offensive line has been thin for a couple of seasons and has been hit by injuries.

It was a big point of emphasis during the recruiting period and on signing day. The numbers are better but big losses in the secondary have left the Cowboys thin at those spots.

There are a total of six players who have a seat at the quarterbacks table as spring camp opens. They will be fighting to replace three-year starter Cody Orgeron, who was in the program for six years.

That includes five players who were on the team last year and Virginia Tech transfer Knox Kadum. Walker Wood, the transfer from Kentucky who moved to wide receiver last season is going to get a look at quarterback to start the spring.

Local product Dillon Simon from Lake Charles Prep, who Goff said he has been impressed with, is also expected to be in the mix along with fellow redshirt freshman Devon Tott.

“We have some guys in that room who bring different skills to the table,” said Goff. “I don’t know how much of a look they each got last year. We will see how they are on the field.”

Goff said he would love to name a starting quarterback by the end of camp but thinks that is unlikely. As for the rest of the team he’s ready to see what he has in the way of talent.

“You never truly know what you got until you get on the field,” Goff said.

He will start finding out what he truly has today.