New Rams coach Mike Gibson putting his mark on the team

Mike Gibson is putting his personal stamp on the University of Regina Rams football team.

At the Rams springcamp, Gibson reflected on what he has changed since Jan. 1, when he first took over the role as head coach. He said he's big on the little things.

"Some days we had workouts and I wasn't happy with the locker room, so we sent them back in before the workouts to clean the locker room. If it's not like I like it, we're going to lock them out of the locker room. I haven't had any problems like that, so they're getting the message."

Aaron Picton, an offensive lineman heading into his fifth year of eligibility with the Rams, said Gibson has changed quite a bit.

"He's asking a lot out of us," Picton said, but added that the players have been willing to jump on board with the new program.

That new program includes an emphasis on academics. In previous seasons, Picton said they would have meetings during which the playerswould have to report their marks. Now, Gibson runs class checks on the athletes and a mandatory study hall.

"These students are here to get an education," said Gibson. "Very few of them will go on to play football after this, and they know that. So they better get their education because I know one thing, a young person with an education goes a lot farther in life than a young person without it... It's not a threat, but if they don't go to class, if they don't go to study hall, they don't play."

With a few months under his belt, Gibson hopes he has built up a rapport with his team, on and off the field.

"I was literally living in the dorms for three months, so that was a little bit different," he said. "I would go do laundry and see some of my players doing laundry and everything, so they learned I'm just a normal guy."

Picton said he thinks the athletes already respect Gibson.

"Him just showing us respect, and showing us that he wants to be here, and that he wants to win, and that he has the same goals as us, I think that's what ultimately just earned our respect."