A player's coach, in his own words

There was a glimmer of hope at the end of football's disappointing 1999 campaign. Going into the fourth quarter, the team held an 18-0 lead over Dartmouth in the final game of the season.

Roger Hughes, then offensive coordinator for the Big Green, extinguished that light, helping Dartmouth erase the deficit and send the Tigers to the bottom of the Ivy League.

Now, the same man will try to restore hope and a winning attitude to Princeton's program. Since his arrival, Hughes has made many tangible changes. New assistant coaches and a new playbook are a couple of examples.

But more than simply changing the terminology in the huddle, Hughes has set out to change the attitude of every member of the program. To really understand what Hughes is doing, you have to hear it in his own words.

"We have to step on the field and expect to do well," Hughes says. "The first thing I did when I came in was I asked them to remember that feeling they felt on that bus ride home from Dartmouth. I wanted them to understand that feeling they felt. I asked them, 'What are you prepared to do to never have that feeling again?'

"Sometimes losing is a self-perpetuating situation. That's why I've tried to teach new habits and instill a work ethic so that we can fight through adversity.

"The thing I've told them is carry yourself like a champion in everything you do," Hughes says. "When you're a football player on campus it evokes a certain stereotype, and I don't think athletics and academics have to be a dichotomy. It can be synergistic. These kids have to understand that they're scrutinized because they're football players. So at every practice, I remind them that how they carry themselves is important.

"Attention to detail has become a focus," Hughes says. "If you walk in our locker room right now, it's spotless. Stools are put away, equipment is put away. If stools are left out, I'm going to figure out who left them out, and they're going to hear about it from me. Same thing goes with events that happen on campus. It's like a family — I'll watch your back, but you have to let me know what's going on.

"They need to understand that if there is anything I can help them with, my door is open. There has to be trust developed there for our program to succeed."

Hughes' enthusiasm has made it easy for his players to embrace the new philosophy.

"I really like his style, and I think that everyone feels the same way," next year's captain and linebacker Mike Higgins '01 says. "He's really a player's coach. He's got a lot of personality. He's very positive, very encouraging. I enjoyed being out there with him very much."

Hughes is quick to compliment his players on their adjustment to change.

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"They've all done a great job of embracing our plan," Hughes says. "In terms of attitude, enthusiasm, everything they've done has been great. If we keep the same work ethic that we had during spring ball we could surprise some people this year."