Kalen DeBoer details how to keep players motivated, avoid burnout

Washington’s season has been a rollercoaster. While, the peaks have been high, it’s been a bumpy ride. On Sunday, Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed how he’s kept his team motivated amid such a grueling campaign.

“I just think every week I just challenge the guys to not have any excuses,” DeBoer said. “That means great preparation, which will lead to confidence, which will lead to success on game day. And have no regrets.

“When you pour everything into it, very similar to what Coach just mentioned, and you’re just doing everything to the best of your ability, you live with the results. I think our guys have done a great job of embracing, embracing the moments, the tough moments, the challenges; embracing the fight; embracing each other, of course.”

Washington has had more tough moments than nearly team in the country. Washington’s final three games of the regular season were each decided by three points or less. In total, the Huskies have won eight of their games by one score or less.

When nearly two-thirds of your battles go down to the wire, it can be easy to grow tired. However, Washington has only improved its intensity as the season has progressed. DeBoer believes his team’s success in the face of exhaustion is due to their love for the challenge moments.

“Just love being in that moment, and I think it leads to confidence when everyone just kind of has great body language and ready to go out there and just take on the next challenge, whether it be the next play or the next game,” DeBoer said. “Loving the moment, embracing it. And making sure that there’s no excuses and no regrets when it’s all said and done.”

Michael Penix Jr. ready to finish season strong

There’s no bigger moment than the one in front of the Huskies. On Monday, Washington will square off against Michigan at 7:30 p.m. ET in the College Football Playoff National Championship. As usual, Washington is embracing the challenge.

“I mean, we see that stuff that’s out there, but we don’t really let it bother us,” quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said at his press conference. “We have an us versus us mentality. That’s been kind of like our motto all year, us versus us, because we know that people might not believe in us.

“But for us and within our doors, within our team, we’ve got to have that understanding that nobody can shape our future. Only we can. That’s how we go about each and every day. We know that it’s not always going to be perfect. People are not always going to be on our side. But as long as we’ve got each other, that’s all that matters.”