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CU's Hawkins lectures team after arrests

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 18, 2008 at 12:02 a.m.

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Dan Hawkins has suspended two players after their arrests.

Dan Hawkins has suspended two players after their arrests.

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BOULDER - Coach Dan Hawkins said Monday his University of Colorado football team must learn to rise above the types of incidents that resulted in two players being arrested and suspended from spring practice.

Hawkins said he has had "a couple of meetings" with his team in the wake of the weekend arrests of freshman linebacker Lynn Katoa and sophomore tight end Riar Geer.

Both were involved in alleged assaults, with Katoa's incident occurring last month and Geer's late Friday night.

Katoa and Geer were absent from spring drills, which started Monday, continue today and Thursday, then resume after spring break April 1.

Katoa and Geer will remain suspended until their legal issues are resolved.

As for his meetings with the Buffaloes, Hawkins said, "Mentoring the youth of America has many rewards and many challenges, and it will always be that way. . . . You just have to hold the bar up there and keep supporting, challenging and motivating to win a national championship, graduate and take care of business. It's an ongoing challenge."

Hawkins spent more time with the defense Monday than in the opening day of spring drills in his first two seasons. He said he wanted to let the defenders know he's not strictly an offensive coach.

Former offensive guard Kai Maiava, now a fullback, said his first day of practice at his new position "felt a little strange," adding he needs to work on technique and conditioning.

Even minus Maiava, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes has twice as many players working for him this spring practice, a factor he said improves the entire offense's practices and emphasizes competition to his players.

"It makes all the difference," Grimes said. "No matter what I say as a coach, nothing motivates them like another guy competing for their job."

Comments

  • March 18, 2008

    8:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BMat writes:

    Keep 'em honest Dan, keep 'em honest!

  • March 18, 2008

    1:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AWM writes:

    Hawkins is a stand up guy & I doubt he'll have any trouble sorting out the cancerous players on the team.

  • March 18, 2008

    2:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    GreeleyNugz writes:

    All I have to say for this year is "Daryl Scott"

  • March 18, 2008

    3:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverGold writes:

    The most important thing that Coach Hawkins must do is keep his players on the straight and narrow. He needs to teach his players that playing football is an earned privilege and not a right. Mess up and YOU will pay the price...even if you are a star football player. College is a place of growth...mentally and emotionally...it's ok to have fun as long as the fun doesn't interfere with school or athletics. And, fun should NEVER hurt anyone. I hope the icidents with Geer and Katoa are a LESSON for the remainder of the team...Coach..see to it!