Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703041
P R E V I E W troduce himself and get to know his new players. The next morning, he was out on the road recruiting, wearing a Penn State pullover and polo shirt, cementing the Nittany Lions' Class of 2016 that was set to sign just three weeks later. Admittedly nervous about integrating with an entirely new set of assistant coach- es, especially after spending his previous 16 seasons with colleagues whom he still describes as brothers, Limegrover reflects on the feeling with a laugh. Working along- side Moorhead, a fellow newcomer to the staff and a fellow graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, has helped, but the whole group has welcomed him with open arms, Limegrover said. The players have been similarly gracious. While Franklin offered the entire staff an elongated weekend to recuperate from the signing day surge, an anxious Limegrover remained at the Lasch Building to conduct individual meetings with every member of the offensive line. Learning their personalities and backgrounds, he offered up his own initial evaluation of the beleaguered unit – and explained the philosophy that he would be using to en- sure that the position group made progress in the months ahead. The gist, for battle-tested veterans and talented newcomers alike, was simple: The best five are going to play. You need to have enough swagger to prove you're the best man for the job – either by holding onto your spot or by catching the guy ahead of you. "When you wake up, put your feet on the floor and get ready to start your day, understand that there's somebody just ahead of you, you better try and catch, or there's somebody breath- ing fire down your neck," Limegrover told them. "You better figure out where you are on the food chain, and you better do something to either maintain it or change it." Away from his wife and kids as they finished the school year before relocating to the State College area, Limegrover spent countless hours watching film in an- ticipation of preseason camp. Taking the time to view every piece of available film for starters, backups and red- shirts alike – every game, every preseason practice and every bowl practice – he saw strengths and weaknesses and began to formulate a plan for how the pieces could fit together in Moorhead's line-friendly new system. With a competitive preseason about to begin, Limegrover is excited about the possibilities. "We're moving forward," he said. "I'm new, Coach Moorhead is new, the system is new. I don't care what happened last year." For players and new coach alike, the fresh start could be the blessing they've all needed. ■ FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE Limegrover said his linemen are start- ing with fresh slates this season. "I don't care what happened last year," he said. Pho- to by Nate Bauer