football
08/17/2022 20:54:00
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August 17, 2022
Walk into a UConn football practice and you’re sure to see a lot of excitement among players and coaches. However, no one may have more energy on the field than UConn defensive backs coach Dalton Hilliard.
“One thing I’ll never stop doing is I’m going to coach like I’ve played, with passion and energy, because it’s contagious,” Hilliard said. “One thing we talk about in the DB (defensive left) room is setting the field on fire, setting it on fire with our passion and our energy and letting people feed off of it.”
One of the Huskies’ newest coaches, Hilliard brings a level of experience to a talented defensive backfield, but also an addition to a coaching staff that looks to bring a new level of passion to Storrs. On this stop on the UConn coach’s football journey, it’s been special to be able to share his own football wisdom with this group.
The family atmosphere that has consistently shown for the Huskies describes how close-knit the team has been. With young talent, returning veterans and an overall display of guys ready to compete every day, Coach Hilliard has seen incredible evolution among this group.
“I came in here and asked them what they wanted to improve and that was their camaraderie,” Hilliard said. “I’m definitely excited about these guys and the way they play together and how they coach each other from the sideline. They hold each other accountable, not only on the field, but off the field.”
From stepping onto the field to competing on the field, it’s important that each player adheres to the plan, a system designed to push each player to perform at their best, whether they’re starting their college football career or participating in a last dance. . Regardless of the obstacles ahead, Coach Hilliard was ready to take on the challenge.
Despite injuries and struggles, Hilliard has seen players like Myles Bell take the field focused on returning to action and contributing to what the Huskies are trying to accomplish. Through the difficult process, one word describes how Coach Hilliard sees overcoming adversity in football.
“Opportunities,” Hilliard said. “That’s any guy, whether his obstacle is injury, mentality, or whether he’s a walk-on or scholarship player.”
Experienced veterans like Tre Wortham have been essential in establishing leadership and commitment to the brotherhood of UConn football. For Hilliard, this has been a highlight of fall camp.
“They need to push the standard and continue to grow this team to what they want it to be,” Hilliard said.
With less than two weeks until the team’s season opener against Utah State, UConn’s secondary continues to work hard with help from Hilliard. Throughout his time with the team, the defensive backfield has always played with Hilliard’s best lesson in mind.
“Whether it’s a catch or a penalty,” he said, “have enough poise to make sure you come back and play the next play with the same energy and passion as when you started the game.”