Spring football practice begins at UAPB with new defense

Spring football practice began Wednesday for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

The Golden Lions worked out in helmets with padded guardian caps, T-shirts and shorts in the first of three practices this week. UAPB will also practice Thursday and Friday.

Head Coach Alonzo Hampton said he is excited to bring the newly signed players and newly hired coaches together with the ones returning from last year and see what UAPB has entering the 2025 season.

“The offense is the same offense,” Hampton said. “The defense is totally different, and it should be. We weren’t very good the first two years here. So, the defense is totally different, but a lot of it is we’re going to do some different things for the guys to make it more fun, be a little more aggressive. Offense, we’re just trying to build on what we have, be more consistent.”

Hampton is entering this third season with UAPB. The Golden Lions struggled on both sides of the ball in his first season but improved from 10th to sixth last season in total offense after hiring a new offensive coordinator, Tony Hull.

The defense improved only slightly, going from 12th in Hampton’s first season to 10th last year.

New defensive coordinator Jeff Burrow is tasked with turning things around on that side of the ball. He said on the defensive side, Wednesday’s practice was a typical first day.

“There was a lot of energy, but the mental things were really more evident than anything,” Burrow said. “Just challenging them to get over the mental part of being back out there, being able to check their emotions and just channel their energy into playing hard. We made some plays, but still, we’re at the beginning stages of it.”

Hampton promoted Burrow to defensive coordinator in the offseason following the departure of David Calloway, who had held the position the past two seasons. Burrow will continue to coach the defensive backs in addition to his new duties.

Burrow is the longest-tenured coach on staff, tracing back to Doc Gamble’s final season as head coach in 2022. He was one of two co-defensive coordinators that season.

Hampton said Burrow’s football intelligence made him the right choice for the position.

“His only thing was, he’s so laid back,” Hampton said. “He’s so quiet. So, I just need him to be more assertive. But when it comes to scheme and X’s and O’s, nobody’s close to him, and it was obvious. When I first got here, the coach that had been here before, he said the same thing about him and another coach, and that other coach is coaching Power Five football. Coach Burrow is as sharp as they come.”

Last season, Burrow’s defensive backs ranked fourth in the SWAC with 11 interceptions with 233 return yards and two touchdowns.

Burrow said his defense will have some similar elements to what UAPB ran under Calloway while trying to be more versatile. He said the Golden Lions will look for opportunities to be aggressive.

But his main goal, he said, is getting his players to play with noticeable energy.

“A scheme won’t win you games,” Burrow said. “It’s gonna be how hard you play. Can you stop the run while rushing the passer, and then, can you keep the ball from going over your head? It’s going to get down to blocking and tackling. Just fundamentals. The adjustment has to come from the neck up and from inside out.”

UAPB is scheduled to hold 14 spring practices, culminating in the Black and Gold Game on April 26 at Simmons Bank Field.