NATCHITOCHES -- New Northwestern State head football coach Brad Laird installed 5 a.m. meetings in his first week as the Demons' leader, holding the meeting only if every player showed up before the allotted time.
 
Laird was finally able to hold his first team meeting Thursday after four days of trying, but rising senior offensive lineman Chris Zirkle said the former defensive coordinator knew how to energize a room full of college student-athletes even at the early hour.
 
"It's crazy what this man can do to get you pumped even at 5 a.m.," said Zirkle, who spoke as the players' representative to a packed house at the Friedman Student Union Ballroom to introduce Laird. "We've been there at 5 a.m. for four straight days, and we're dragging, but his tone of voice, the way he walks around -- you just think, 'We're ready.'
 
"His passion is undeniable, and it's spreading around the room. My first impression of (Laird) is that he's a keeper."
 
Laird, a record-setting quarterback at NSU who then orchestrated some of the Demons' best defenses in school history as the defensive coordinator, made an impression even on his first day back as the defensive coordinator in January.
 
Zirkle recalls a story in which the team was grinding through mat drills, and senior defensive end Lyn Clark screamed from across the field, "What are you doing?"
 
Clark soon developed into one of the defense's leaders, and he said Laird was instrumental in his off-field development as well.
 
"I'm so happy for coach Laird and where this program is going," said Clark, who was honorably mentioned in the All-Southland Conference voting process by the league's coaches and sports information directors in his final season. "He brought me to an all-conference level from a guy that was just an average Joe in the league.
 
"I put my pride to the side, and he made me lead. That day he called me out in mat drills, he called me out as a leader. I took it personally every day, and he helped me become a man off the field."
 
NSU's defense flashed its 'Purple Swarm' potential as the season progressed, allowing an average of less than 19 points per game in the last four contests. Four of NSU's first seven opponents scored at least 40 points, two of which were ranked conference teams and another being Louisiana Tech.
 
"Having him as our defensive coordinator was fantastic," said rising senior cornerback Ike Warren. "He brought our defense to life and showed us how the 'Purple Swarm' was supposed to be.
 
"Those 5 a.m. meetings, a lot of players know that he's holding us accountable. That's the type of guy he is, and we love that about him."
 
Even though the majority of Laird's coaching career has been on the defensive side of the ball, offensive players can easily get excited.
 
Laird, who ended his career as the school's leader in passing yards, completions and attempts, brought in offensive coordinator Brad Smiley, whose Trinity Valley Community College teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in nine of Smiley's 11 seasons as the head coach.
 
"We have 100 percent faith in (Laird), and I can't wait to pick (Smiley's) brain and see what he likes to run," said rising junior running back Jared West, who is the leading returning rusher from this past season. "Laird came in and brought leadership from Day 1.
 
"(Former NSU head coach Jay Thomas) brought a lot of leadership also, but it's always great to have another face who has Laird's personality. He's a great leader who is passionate and 100 percent focused."