3 questions for Ramblers Head Coach Drew Valentine

What are your greatest challenges this season?

For every program and coach, the number one thing is health. Last year, our preseason set us back a little bit from trying to catch a rhythm because we had such a new team. Trying to figure out how to put guys in the best position and by the time we got to full strength in December, I felt like we hit our stride. Also, understanding what it takes to win and understanding that this program has such a history and tradition of having success.

What lessons do you take from last year?

The first thing is you get familiar with the new places, the new players in the Atlantic 10 Conference and you get familiar with the identities of each program in the league. Based on that, you try to build a roster in the offseason with the transfer portal additions and freshman additions that will help us have a lot of success.

What are you most excited about?

How our offseason has gone. My first two years were two different stories. Last year I felt like there were days where we were moving in the right direction but there were definitely plenty of days where I would be drained as a coach because I felt like we were pouring so much in and it wasn’t being reciprocated from the players. This year, dating back to the spring, I left practice feeling how excited I was to coach this team and be around this team.