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Henry To'oTo'o explains culture shock in transfer to Alabama
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:40 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:40 pm
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Henry To'oTo'o understands the difficulties of being a transfer.
The former inside linebacker at Tennessee came to Alabama after making 22 starts with the Volunteers during his two-year stint.
Despite garnering All-SEC Second Team honors and leading the Crimson Tide with 113 total tackles, To'oTo'o said there was a bit of a culture shock when he arrived in Tuscaloosa.
"There was definitely," To'oTo'o said. "Nobody works as hard as we do. That's something that you have to embrace. That's something that Coach Saban has built here. We're going to work every single day. We're going to outwork our opponent whether it's watching film, through the fourth quarter program, spring ball or fall camp. That was something I had to adjust to, but it's a culture of mine now and it's my responsibility to teach the younger guys so they can keep the legacy going."
With To'oTo'o's experience with adapting to Alabama's standard, he's now taken it upon himself to help the next group of transfers joining the program. This offseason, the Crimson Tide brought in five college transfers including receivers Jermaine Burton (Georgia) and Tyler Harrell (Louisville) as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech), cornerback Eli Ricks and offensive tackle Tyler Steen (Vanderbilt).
"One thing I told them, especially for the guys that transferred in now was, 'Never change who you are, but adapt to the culture," To'oTo'o said. "Being able to learn Coach Saban's ways, learn the Alabama standard and finesse your game around that. That's the one thing that kind of helped me was being able to hone in on that standard and perspective."
To'oTo'o returns for his second season as the starting Mike linebacker and will once again be relied upon to lead the defense this season.
Despite joining the team from Tennessee last year, To'oTo'o said that he doesn't "consider himself as a transfer anymore," but like the rest of the Crimson Tide, is committed to moving forward to this season and not looking back.
"I'm about to get a degree for the University of Alabama and I'm super excited about that and being a part of this family. The bond that we have as a team from the character that we're building as a defense, as an offense and as a whole team. It's something you have to create to be a good team."
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Henry To'oTo'o understands the difficulties of being a transfer.
The former inside linebacker at Tennessee came to Alabama after making 22 starts with the Volunteers during his two-year stint.
Despite garnering All-SEC Second Team honors and leading the Crimson Tide with 113 total tackles, To'oTo'o said there was a bit of a culture shock when he arrived in Tuscaloosa.
"There was definitely," To'oTo'o said. "Nobody works as hard as we do. That's something that you have to embrace. That's something that Coach Saban has built here. We're going to work every single day. We're going to outwork our opponent whether it's watching film, through the fourth quarter program, spring ball or fall camp. That was something I had to adjust to, but it's a culture of mine now and it's my responsibility to teach the younger guys so they can keep the legacy going."
With To'oTo'o's experience with adapting to Alabama's standard, he's now taken it upon himself to help the next group of transfers joining the program. This offseason, the Crimson Tide brought in five college transfers including receivers Jermaine Burton (Georgia) and Tyler Harrell (Louisville) as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech), cornerback Eli Ricks and offensive tackle Tyler Steen (Vanderbilt).
"One thing I told them, especially for the guys that transferred in now was, 'Never change who you are, but adapt to the culture," To'oTo'o said. "Being able to learn Coach Saban's ways, learn the Alabama standard and finesse your game around that. That's the one thing that kind of helped me was being able to hone in on that standard and perspective."
To'oTo'o returns for his second season as the starting Mike linebacker and will once again be relied upon to lead the defense this season.
Despite joining the team from Tennessee last year, To'oTo'o said that he doesn't "consider himself as a transfer anymore," but like the rest of the Crimson Tide, is committed to moving forward to this season and not looking back.
"I'm about to get a degree for the University of Alabama and I'm super excited about that and being a part of this family. The bond that we have as a team from the character that we're building as a defense, as an offense and as a whole team. It's something you have to create to be a good team."
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:42 pm to C W
Tennessee is very poor and undisciplined. Just look at their current coach.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:44 pm to C W
I'm sure he's happy not to be wearing those ugly-arse uniforms anymore, also.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:50 pm to Jfk Jr
quote:
Tennessee is very poor and undisciplined. Just look at their current coach.
He transferred from Pruitt's teams and never did a spring practice. Pruitt let him sit at home. I'm not surprised he thinks it's different.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:59 pm to Marktastic86
quote:
I'm sure he's happy not to be wearing those ugly-arse uniforms anymore, also.
Have to see that smashing pumpkins from that one TV show. It might be worth it to compare to that of what Tennessee fans were doing at some games by throwing things on the field.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:01 pm to Prof
Apparently Pruitt learned nothing but drawing up a defense at Alabama.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:05 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
Apparently Pruitt learned nothing but drawing up a defense at Alabama.
I think he was in over his head and having Fat Phil looking over his shoulder didn't help. He got into a situation he wasn't prepared for.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:10 pm to CapstoneGrad06
It's almost as if he was perceived as a good D coordinator because of the elite talent he had at his disposal. How many coordinators has bama had on either side of the ball in the past 5 years year?
That talent makes any coach's abilities look better... A harsh lesson the Texas Whorens are about to learn with Sark.
That talent makes any coach's abilities look better... A harsh lesson the Texas Whorens are about to learn with Sark.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:21 pm to BestInTexas
quote:
It's almost as if he was perceived as a good D coordinator because of the elite talent he had at his disposal
I’m not so sure. I thought he was an upgrade over Kirby as far as defensive scheming and play calling goes. I think Kirby and Pruitt are both better than Golding.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:29 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
It's almost as if he was perceived as a good D coordinator because of the elite talent he had at his disposal
I think he was a very good DC and I loved his aggressive schemes. No one here thought he was ready to be head coach at an SEC school.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:30 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
I’m not so sure. I thought he was an upgrade over Kirby as far as defensive scheming and play calling goes. I think Kirby and Pruitt are both better than Golding.
I'm not an insider or anything but from the few I do know around the program coach Saban loves Jeremy Pruitt. He's a fantastic defensive coordinator and position coach.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:30 pm to Tideroller
I wish we could have him back but that ain't happening.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:58 pm to Jfk Jr
quote:
Tennessee is very poor and undisciplined. Just look at their current coach.
You misspelled Pruitt.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 7:17 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
I’m not so sure. I thought he was an upgrade over Kirby as far as defensive scheming and play calling goes. I think Kirby and Pruitt are both better than Golding.
In the post spread era Pruitt’s “If you ain’t first you're last” approach to defense and use of smaller, faster players is more productive than Kirby.
I’m not sure Pruitt was as good at talent identification or development compared to Smart however.
This post was edited on 8/5/22 at 7:47 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 7:21 pm to tide06
Pruitt served his purpose at UGA in getting the ball rolling on facilities. But he was not a particularly great DC.
Exhibit A: Georgia/Florida 2014
I ca t speak for his work at Alabama.
Exhibit A: Georgia/Florida 2014
I ca t speak for his work at Alabama.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 7:27 pm to Tuscaloosa
quote:
I think Kirby and Pruitt are both better than Golding.
100% agreed.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 8:06 pm to Prof
quote:Pruit is an inbred redneck piece of shite that was born and raised in Alabama.
Pruitt'
Not sure why Tennessee is surprised he turned out to be scum.
This post was edited on 8/5/22 at 8:07 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 8:37 pm to C W
So John Wooden, Lombardi, Auerbach, Bear...of us.
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