The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team kicked off spring practice on Tuesday at Scrappy Moore Field.  The full contingent of local media was on hand to talk to new head coach Tom Arth and senior quarterback Alejandro Bennifield. 

"I think the most important thing for us this spring is to establish our standard of excellence," stated Coach Arth. "What we're really looking for from our players is attitude and effort.  We are far less concerned with the results in individual performance, much more concern is their willingness to do it our way, to do it the way they can be coached."

Photos and video are attached at the top of the page, while some of the articles covering the first day of spring practice are linked below. 
UTC coaches like potential of Tae Davis at middle linebacker – Times Free Press

Wiedmer: UTC coach Tom Arth will take 82 degrees over 20 degrees every day – Times Free Press

Arth, UTC players pleased with first practice – Times Free Press

UTC Football: Coach Tom Arth Expects Standard of Excellence as Spring Practice Starts – Chattanoogan.com

Mocs Returning QB Alejandro Bennifield Should Be Big Boost For New Coaching Staff – WDEF-TV

Mocs hold first spring practice with HC Tom Arth – WRCB-TV

Q&A between coach Arth and the Media before the first practice.
"We've had the opportunity to get with our players in a meeting session and I think that we're a lot further ahead than we thought we would be.  The players have a really good understanding of what our expectations are. By the 1^st and 2^nd installment I think they have a really good handle, but by the time we get to Saturday install 3 and 3^rd downs it's going to be a little more challenging."

Q: Usually in this situation, we're talking about players buying into your system.  How is that going?
"I think we're already there with these guys.  It's an incredible group. They have just brought leadership starting from top down with our senior class. The buy-in has almost been immediate with these guys. It's a great testament to their character. Their desire to improve and to be great. I think they've taken very well to this kind of responses."

Q: Because you inherited a successful program, did you expect the buy-in to not be there off the bat? 
"I think you never really know and I think coming into a program that's been successful it probably is more challenging to create that buy-in. I think it was so important for us when we got here to be able to spend some time and make that first initial impression and you get one shot at that. I think our staff did a really great job at that and build those relationships let our players know that we're going to be involved in their lives and care about them and not just what they do on the field and classroom, but off the field as well and I think that set them at ease. Certainly, learning about us more as individuals and what we believe in fundamental schematic standpoint.  I think there's a lot of excitement.

Q: How intense will spring practice be doing more installations?
"The intensity will be high, but that doesn't mean we're going to be tackling and knocking each other down. Just in terms of the competitiveness and the speed at which we practice the learning that's going to take place. It's going to demand a lot. It's going to demand a lot from them to be successful in the spring and that's what were really hoping to see. That commitment to that process."

Q: You look at spring practice. What's your top 3-5 things you want to see when it's all over?
"Well like I said, establishing our standard of excellence and knowing what the expectations are. Certainly, a great understanding of what our offense, defense and special team schemes are. Like I said, more than anything, understanding what's it going to take for us to be successful because at the end of the day it's the players out there that make the plays and win games. For us to do that we have to to compete at a high level every single day, in the meetings, practice and everything that we do."

Q: A lot times when a new coach comes in the depth chart is wide open, is that the case or do you have a pretty good idea?
"This is going to be our first time evaluating the players live with a football and in football practice. So, it is open. We certainly have had the opportunity to watch all the games from last year to see the way our players compete in the meetings and to see the way they compete in the weight room out here in conditioning settings. So, I think we have a good idea of some of the guys we're going to be able to rely on, but at the end of the day there are players that have started for us. There's no returning starters in our mind. Our job is to put the best players out there that are going to represent Chattanooga football the best way possible and give our team the best opportunities to succeed. So, that's our only goal."

Q: How are excited are you how anxious are you?
"I'm thrilled! I've been kind of jumpy for the last few days getting ready. Like I told these guys when we met on Sunday when they got back from Spring Break, it's such a rollercoaster of an emotion for me because I went home for the week with my family but I'm coming back and I know I'm not going to see them for a month but I'm coming back and we're going to be out at practice. It's like in some way you're leaving your family but in another way, you're coming back to practice. But I'm so excited to be here."