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Chemistry lessons: Roster overhauls make offseason bonding activities more critical in portal era
Coaches are using weekly meetings and personal interviews to speed chemistry as New Mexico added 75 newcomers and San Diego State signed almost 40 players.
- College football programs face challenges building chemistry as players move frequently, prompting San Diego State's Aztecs to adopt the "Four H's" strategy used by the New England Patriots during their Super Bowl run.
- San Diego State coach Sean Lewis believes the "Four H's" approach—where players share personal history, heroes, heartbreaks, and hopes—cultivates trust necessary for success during difficult game moments.
- Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell conducts one-on-one video interviews with newcomers to understand personalities, while New Mexico's The Lobos hold weekly "non-football meetings" to discuss thought-provoking questions like career aspirations.
- Eliminating the second transfer portal window allows coaches to prioritize team chemistry with a stable roster, Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne noted, supporting the Aztecs' improvement from 3-9 in 2024 to 9-4 in 2025.
- Building these relationships is particularly critical for programs often raided by Power Four teams, as coaches argue that prioritizing personal connections creates unified teams capable of performing under pressure.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Chemistry lessons: Roster overhauls make offseason bonding activities more critical in portal era
Establishing team chemistry in college football is tougher than ever with so many players not staying at the same school for four years. But it’s still doable.
·United States
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left8Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 43%
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