By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Managing Editor | Photo by Nick Orozco-Executive Editor for The Spear
The Ken Niumatalolo era is in full swing for San Jose State football.
Players dawned the practice field in blue helmets, practice jerseys some with and without pads and shorts for their first spring practice on Tuesday morning.
To usher in the new culture, Niumatalolo believes in the little details.
Such as when he made sure players did not walk on the field, but jogged, specifically once they cross the gated entrance to the practice fields
“Jog off,” he said to his players after practice ended. “Just to the gates.”
This ideology comes from embracing the Spartan mascot, “when we step between the gates, the hot gates, kind of a 300 deal, we’re at battle,” Niumatalolo said.
Niumatalolo referenced the Greek mythology inspired 2006 film “300,” where the “hot gates” are a mountain pass at the foot of Mount Kallidromo where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought off millions of Persians.
“When we step on the field, it’s different,” he said.
For redshirt sophomore quarterback Jay Butterfield, Niumatalolo’s coaching style is effective.
“Coach Ken is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but he also knows when to put his foot down,” Butterfield said. “Obviously coming from Navy.”
Butterfield has also adjusted to a new quarterback room of six. With two-year starter Chevan Codeiro’s time up at SJSU, the Spartans quarterback room added two transfers.
New quarterback additions include redshirt sophomore Emmet Brown, transferring from Washington State and redshirt junior Dorian Hale transferring from San Francisco City College after starting his college career at Sacramento State.
“They fit into the room great,” Butterfield said.
The other quarterbacks returning include respective redshirts junior Walker Eget, sophomore Tyler Voss and freshman Anthony Garcia.
With half a dozen quarterbacks, reps were split evenly according to Butterfield.
After consistency for two seasons with Cordeiro, the quarterback position remains a question, even for the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann.
“As we go forward, you’ll start seeing some guys separate away from one another,” Stutzmann said.
Stutzmann said he still liked what he saw, especially for his offense that was tested on day one.
“We have, I would say, the best defense in the conference,” Stutzmann said. “When you’re able to play against the best defense, (defensive coordinator) Derrick Odum does a great job at it, it just sets us up to get better.”
Niumatalolo thought the grasp of the offense was encouraging for day one.
But day one meant it was limited for both sides of the ball.
Most importantly for Niumatalolo, “It’s good to be on the grass.”