Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin (This content was originally published in our newsletter)

Starting the Cignetti era – Curt Cignetti started implementing his system and practice style on Thursday. The Dukes got a two-hour practice in under the former Elon head coach.

What to watch for – Spring storylines include intense position battles at quarterback, running back, tight end and defensive tackle. There will also be a battle for some of the snaps at corner. Also keep an eye on how the team adjusts to playing under Cignetti. The experienced coach does have similarities to Mike Houston in terms of overall philosophy, but the Dukes will take some time to adjust to Cignetti’s intricacies. 

Fast practices – One of the changes under Cignetti is the practice speed. Reports from practice and Cignetti’s comments indicate that the Dukes are trying to practice with a better sense of purpose. It’ll take time for JMU to adjust to this style. 

Key dates – Here’s the full practice schedule for the spring. The spring game is set for April 13.