BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh football team is set to take the field for spring practice under first year head coach Andy Coen.  The Mountain Hawks will be on the Whitehead Practice Fields for the first time on Saturday, March 25 at 11:45 am. 

Lehigh returns 14 starters and three-all Patriot League selections from a team that led the Patriot League in scoring and passing offense in 2005.  On the other side of the ball, the Mountain Hawks had the top rushing defense in the league a year ago.

“Our staff is very excited to coach this football team,” Coen said from his office on Wednesday.  “To this point, we are very pleased with how hard the guys have worked during the off-season in terms of lifting and conditioning – in addition to their enthusiasm.”

With so many new faces on the Lehigh coaching staff, much of the time in spring camp will be used on drills to help the coaches get used to the student-athletes and vice-versa.

“We need to evaluate who can block, who can tackle,” Coen explained.  “What we will try to do, big picture-wise, is simply evaluate who our best players are and get them on the field.”

With a new head coach and two new coordinators, Lehigh may do some things a bit differently schematically, so the student-athletes will have a lot to learn.

“Of course we want to evaluate talent level, but we also intend also develop competitors that are take-charge guys and leaders,” Coen added.

At the conclusion of spring practice, team captains for the 2006 season will be selected.

Lehigh’s spring practice will culminate in the annual Brown and White football game inside Goodman Stadium.  The scrimmage will take place on Saturday, April 22 at 12:30 pm and the event is open to all, free of charge.

Media members wishing to attend a spring practice should contact Jeff Tourial or a member of the Sports Media Relations staff in advance.

Please note that all practice dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.