Cris Bell has been tasked with changing the attitude around football in Robertsdale, America as the new head coach. Players like junior offensive guard Peyton Dallas and senior defensive back Spencer DeAngelo have already noticed the newness this offseason.

“It’s been different the way he operates things like practice, workouts, conditioning,” DeAngelo said at Gulf Coast Media Day. “It’s a lot different than it used to be, it’s a lot more intense and takes a lot more work.”

“He’s definitely held us to a high standard,” Dallas confirmed. “I feel like every day we need to be committed with each other and give it our all.”

Bell said there’s no magic formula to erase a 24-game losing streak immediately but said all the Golden Bears can control is their attitude.

“It comes down to how hard are you willing to work, what are you willing to give up in order to succeed? We talked about it a lot this week with these guys that at some point you have to get tired of getting sand kicked in your face,” Bell said. “Robertsdale could change coaches every other year but until our actions change, until our expectations change, the results won’t change.”

The first steps have been taken to bring the team together and the Robertsdale players mentioned the camaraderie building already.

“We learned about having chemistry with each other because over the last few years it’s been hard putting up our teammates and it’s been a challenge getting together,” Dallas said. “I think it’s going good so far.”

“He’s taught us that we can’t just show up and expect big things, you’ve got to work a little harder to take every step,” DeAngelo said.

Bell knows it won’t be an overnight thing but wanted to work to where the Golden Bears’ mentality is to love physicality.

“We want to create that mentality that we’re playing at such a level physically that teams, I want them to feel it the following Friday night,” the coach said.

The crew that has been putting in work alongside DeAngelo and Dallas this offseason includes fellow defensive backs Logan Gregson and Zy Green as well as offensive linemen Brett Boykin and Carter Arnold. Bryson Gier will be among the receiving corps on the other end of quarterback Andrew McDaniel.

Robertsdale will be making a step up to Class 7A due to enrollment and Bell, who made previous coaching stops in Scottsboro and Oak Mountain, was also starting to understand how big of a deal it will be for the players to see local faces again.

“The opportunity to play Fairhope and Foley and Daphne, who haven’t been on the schedule the last few years, I think they’re excited to renew those rivalries,” Bell said. “I think for those communities, it’s a big deal and that’s always fun. That’s the thing when you look at high school football, so much of it is the community involvement and I think the more you have communities that are local to each other the more excitement you can generate from that.”

“It’s been a while, I remember my freshman year was my first time with Foley and all them and those rivalries are huge so I’m excited to go back into it and play some football,” Dallas said.

“Last time I played Foley was freshman year and we lost that game so hopefully we can change that this season,” DeAngelo said.

Check out the Golden Bears' full interview as part of the third-annual Gulf Coast Media Day here.