April 15, 2008

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State football team held its seventh practice of the spring season on Tuesday, but did so with heavy hearts. Prior to the two-and-a-half hour practice, Aztec players learned of the passing of head coach Chuck Long's father on Monday morning in Illinois.

Long's father, Charles, suffered a stroke on April 4 in Illinois. Coach Long spent most of last week back in the Midwest, before returning late Friday night for Saturday's practice. He returned to Illinois on Sunday. His father passed away Monday morning.

"Our guys all feel for Coach Long," assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Bob Elliott said. "They were aware of the situation and were in the battle with him. The guys feel for Coach Long and want to support him everyway possible. We have to do our work and that is what Chuck would want us to do."

Rising senior wide receiver Darren Mougey lost his father when he was in seventh grade and said that although the student-athletes have their coach in their thoughts, preparations for the season continue.

"That whole time is a blur," Mougey said. "I was amazed that Coach Long was back last Saturday under the circumstances. I want to personally thank him and let him know how much we appreciate him coming back for Saturday's practice. We have a staff that will keep us focused. Coach Long has done a great job putting everything in place and I don't think we will miss a beat. We send our prayers to Coach Long and wish he could be here with us, but we want him to be with his family."

Offensive coordinator Del Miller said Long stressed the importance of staying focused to the team on Saturday, no matter what factors change around them.

"Anybody that loses a family member knows that words can't describe it," offensive coordinator Del Miller said. "Our prayers go out to Coach Long. He is where he needs to be, with family. I think one of the things Coach Long has said all along is that we need to have great leadership on the team. No matter who may be missing, we need to move forward and he stressed that again last week."

Rising senior linebacker Russell Allen said the team will continue to make strides in Long's absence.

"It is always tough when Coach Long is gone," Allen said. "Our assistant coaches have done a great job of keeping things going, which is what we need to do. It is spring practice, and it is very important to our season. We are practicing, but our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Long."

The Aztecs will be back on the practice field on Wednesday.