The Recruiting Guy

Bielema teaching players about life on, off field

Then-University of Arkansas coach Bret Bielema is shown in this 2015 file photo.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema talks about recruiting uncommon men to be a part of his program.

Bielema wants to see players develop on the field, but he also is committed to their growth off the field.

That hasn't gone unnoticed by prospects and their parents, several of whom have spoken highly of Arkansas' student-athlete development department.

Charles Small, director of student-athlete development, will wrap up a five-part summer series Tuesday with the Razorback football team that covered a variety of topics.

The first session May 27 focused on an owner vs. victim mind-set and was inspired by Steve Chandler's book Reinventing Yourself.

"He really dives into this idea that we could either be a victim of our circumstances or owners of our situation," Small said. "We really want the guys to start thinking crucially of being owners of their situations, meaning that you have a positive outlook on different situations, making sure you have a plan."

Small says he challenges players to think about what they say.

"Don't say 'can't', don't say 'I should' and don't say 'I can't,' " Small said. "Say, 'I will, and here's my plan on how to do it.' "

Senior running back Jonathon Williams is taking part in the summer program and said he appreciates the opportunity to be involved.

"I think that what Dr. Small has done to help us speaks a lot about what our program stands for," Williams said. "Not only are we expected to be great on the field, but also off the field. Dr. Small has put into place a program and an environment that will help us grow from college students into men."

Athletic Director Jeff Long's commitment to a positive atmosphere for student-athletes and Bielema's support of the program are key to its success, Small said.

"I really feel like Jeff has set the tone for the department," Small said.

The effort and discipline that help develop skills on the field also can be applied off the field.

"On the football field, you're kind of wired to be optimistic," said Small, who walked on at Pittsburgh and was a three-year basketball letterman when Long was the athletic director there. "We're going to pull it out. There's certain transferable skills. We want the guys to really see how that's going to help them in life."

Another session focused on personal brand and how it can be impacted by day-to-day actions.

"What type of brand do you have?" Small said. "How are you carrying yourself? How are you marketing that brand? What are you doing every day to communicate that brand? What we're hoping to see is that transfers to the decisions they make on campus."

Dining etiquette and networking also are part of the agenda. Small likes to use the annual season kickoff luncheon as an illustration of why those things can be important down the road when they are no longer playing football.

"I showed them the VIP list of the people coming to the event," Small said. "I said, 'You're in Arkansas, and you have all these Fortunate 500 companies and you have all the vendors associated with them."

Former Razorback Marvin Caston, an associate director of the Razorback Foundation, said it's important for players to understand they need to begin networking before they get out of school.

"You probably need to figure out who can be in your network and start building relationships," Small said. "You don't want to wait until your senior year, and now you're scrambling trying to get people in your network."

Mike Green, president and founder of Collegiate Consultants, spoke to players about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

"Green has a great story where alcohol almost destroyed a lot of his life and he was able to bounce back from that," Small said. "He goes into alcohol and drugs and really how you make certain decisions."

Bielema has embraced the program.

"If a kid really resists going or you hear a lot of complaining, then they don't feel like it's worth their time," said Bielema, who used a similar program during his time at Wisconsin. "We just haven't got that feel from this particular course."

Small is a fan of Bielema's philosophy as well.

"He's doing it the right way," Small said. "He's not taking shortcuts, and you see the character and how he holds people accountable."

The fourth session was social spotting and focused on social settings and supporting teammates in such environments. Representatives from the university police department and university's office of standards and conduct spoke about avoiding compromising situations.

"In the weight room, you're not going to max out on your bench press without someone spotting you," Small said. "What we say is going into these social settings, have a plan. Spot each other."

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 06/28/2015