Mike Stoops is tired of screaming.
His players will now help keep the team in line.
The Arizona football program has instituted a 14-man team council to enforce team rules, following a conference-wide trend. The group at Arizona consists of players from both sides of the ball and all four classes. It will help Stoops mete out punishments. Penalties can range from extra running and suspensions to a dismissal from the team.
For four years, the Arizona Wildcats football coach acted as the the sole enforcer of his program's rules. Stoops frequently disciplined the same players over and over, often for violating the simplest of rules such as being late to team meetings.
"It gets old. I got tired of me yelling and getting mad at the same guys," Stoops said.
As incidents arise, the council will meet with Stoops for problem-solving sessions.
People are also reading…
"If guys aren't going to do what's right, I want the players to have to show some leadership and do some counseling with these guys," Stoops said. "They need to understand that they need to do the right things — or we don't want them to be a part of this program."
Quarterback Willie Tuitama, a member of the council, said the group exists "so we can kind of step up and enforce the law."
Tuitama has taken more of a leadership role heading into his senior season. He has been watching more film and meeting with his younger teammates to teach them the Air Zona offense. Tuitama said he won't hesitate to enforce the rules.
"If (players) do something bad, they're going to have to deal with their own teammates," he said. "That's good for us."
Arizona faced its share of legal troubles in 2007, starting with a pair of preseason arrests. Tuitama was charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol in February. In August, defensive end Louis Holmes pleaded guilty to criminal damage following a fight at a Scottsdale nightclub.
The Wildcats' problems continued into the season. Stoops suspended four players —quarterbacks C.J. Sedoris and Tyler Lyon, linebacker Cole Graybill and defensive back Kyle Monson — following a fracas at a fraternity party days before the Cats' Week 3 game against New Mexico.
In part because of those incidents, Stoops decided to change the way he handles violations. He consulted many of the team's top returners, including Tuitama and wide receiver Mike Thomas, before deciding to form a council.
"I think it's smart," offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said. "We've got to understand that we're all in this together. … This program exists for them."
The idea of a team council is not uncommon in college football. Paul Wulff, Washington State's first-year head coach, recently formed a five-member Unity Council to handle team issues. Cal has a similar program in place, though the number of members fluctuates depending on the year.
Arizona's council idea came from the New York Giants. Coach Tom Coughlin instituted a 10-player leadership council last summer to create more accountability. The group discussed team matters, elected captains and policed teammates.
The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl. Stoops would be happy with a tighter team. At the very least, it should save him some stomach problems.
"I don't think he did it for that reason as much," Dykes said. "But in the long run, he might end up saving himself a lot of headaches."
Self-discipline
UA coach Mike Stoops has formed a players' leadership council to handle off-the-field issues. Here's how other Pac-10 schools handle similar situations:
Arizona State: Coach Dennis Erickson disciplines players for all rules violations. Players who break the law are subject to punishments as dictated by the university's student-athlete code of conduct.
Cal: The Golden Bears' players council meets informally to discuss team issues.
Oregon: The Ducks' seniors meet with coach Mike Bellotti periodically, but do not generally discipline their teammates.
Oregon State: Captains meet with coach Mike Riley regularly and help plan team-building exercises such as bowling, paintball and sumo wrestling.
Stanford: Running backs coach Willie Taggart runs the Cardinal's Unity Council, which drafts and enforces team rules.
UCLA: First-year coach Rick Neuheisel has yet to decide whether to form any group. Former coach Karl Dorrell had a nine-to-12-player council when he was coach.
USC: A group of Trojans, including team captains, meets periodically to discuss team issues. Coach Pete Carroll takes its recommendations into consideration, but has the final say.
Washington: No formal group, but coach Tyrone Willingham meets with each player twice a year to discuss leadership.
Washington State: First-year coach Paul Wulff has formed a five-player Unity Council to handle minor infractions.
