Each morning this summer, University of Miami football players woke to a message from coach Al Golden that hit their phones before 5 a.m. It could be his thought or an inspirational quote from anyone. Lombardi. Gandhi. Testaverde.
About 6 a.m., another text arrived to the offensive players from quarterback Brad Kaaya.
"Let's go have a great practice," was a daily example.
It wasn't Gandhi. It was just another small sign Kaaya is more comfortable leading this team as it builds toward Saturday's opener against Bethune-Cookman.
Last year, he says, "I was 18 in the first game, playing with guys who were 22 and 23, some of whom had kids of their own.