Engine starting]
[Engine running]
[Zipper zipping]
The saying goes, practice makes perfect.
But without a perfect practice,
the Ole Miss football team can only improve so much in a given day.
It is during these sessions that a group of people are needed the most
and talked about the least, the managers.
I mean, they're critical.
Most of them know the drills better than we know them.
They know where we're going to be set up.
When we need something, sometime on the spot,
like a piece of equipment is malfunctioning or something,
they're on the spot ready to take care of that.
They have the balls ready for us.
They have towels.
They're putting down the ball where it needs to be,
left hash, right hash, middle.
And as soon as the next series or next play comes on
they're on it, they're in it.
Right middle, right middle.
It's a little toasty out here.
Come on Ross, come on Ross, get over here come on.
Easy J.T.
Easy Jordan.
Hey, balls over here.
This is the last one.
I personally just enjoy, just having them around
because they're really good people.
You know, other than the job, you know, they talk to you, relate to you.
You know, they never give me a hard time, ever.
When I need something, I go down there, even before practice, after practice,
they make sure I get it done.
I blame stuff on my cleats all the time.
Like, if I slip on a route, I'm like,
"Can you please go get me some more cleats please?"
And they're running in to go get me some cleats.
Like, you know, they don't have to do those things.
You know, I'm pretty sure that's not their job.
How's your helmet?
It's still straight?
Hmm?
Let's go, let's go.
[Hitting]
Go.
[Hitting]
There you go.
You like this hit.
You know, I have a personal relationship with most of them.
So, I kind of talk noise to them.
And I mean, they're always there when you need anything though.
Okay.
Oh, look who it is?
Woo.
You going to get any touchdowns today?
Hey, count on it.
Six points baby.
Four years you finally got me.
[Whistle]
Finally got you.
Finally got me.
Felt so good.
I know, did it?
Why you mic'ed up and ain't talking?
What?
Because I ain't – I don't talk as much as you.
When the Rebels hit the road the job of the manager becomes paramount.
Organization is key.
And on game days things can get a little wild.
Towel?
Can I get the long bands?
Yep.
Yes, I have girdles.
What size?
I need a two XL on tight.
What's your locker?
88?
I need one more.
You got to be the first one there.
You just got to grab whatever you need.
Sometimes you grab extra just to like have it.
I try to get in there first and, you know,
get all my stuff before the entire crowd piles in there.
They have everything ready for us.
I mean, really I don't really have to ask so much,
they have it already in the locker.
I mean, select few guys know a few players.
So they know what you like to wear, they have it ready.
Large.
Is the shorts even a larger?
Yes.
What size?
Size?
They're in your locker.
They're the guys that nobody notices until something goes wrong.
And they don't get enough credit, but they're critical to our operations.
Well, they're stationed to different groups,
so the guy who is with us they make sure that the cones are set up
before we get to that station.
Getting the footballs ready to help us set up the drill, help the running drill.
So they already have it set up
or Coach Crime will like fuss them out or something.
And if they don't, they have to answer to McGriff just like we do.
Where my other cone at?
Where you want it?
Cone, cone.
You need two of them?
Hell we just a billion-dollar glitch, you going to come out with one cone?
Hey, I told you all to get a bag and put balls and cones in it.
You got me?
Yep, you got it.
Don't let that happen again.
The managers are a team within the team, a unit.
Every unit needs a captain, a leader.
The Ole Miss football team managers are led by none other
than the reigning equipment manager of the year, Ken Crane.
He's just – he's a guy that makes you smile.
You just see him and you just always – he's always got a grin on his face.
You just say, "Hey Ken, how you doing?"
He's like, "Hey, how you doing?"
Ken's a great guy, every time I see him.
Go Rebels.
Hi guys this game we're going to have white jerseys
and grey pants and baby blue helmets.
Man you got to get knee pads.
You got to go get some knee pads out of the container right there.
And go Rebs.
[Laughter]
If they holler move it up, or anything as long as Coach Luke says it okay?
Yep.
Don't do it until he says something.
You good?
Good job?
Can you handle it now?
Yeah.
Oh.
Oh yeah.
You look nervous.
You're doing this because of the microphone.
There's no microphone, I'm coming back to red ball.
Every time he's hotty toddy.
That's all he says and you know, I just like Ken Crane and his personality.
He's always supportive.
He, whenever we walk past each other in the hallways,
he's always telling me, you know, I'm proud of you or something like that.
You got, there's a point wink.
No, we love Ken and he's always – he's always served as a supportive guy.
Ken Crane's a guy – he's very, very quiet,
but very kind of sudden with his moves,
I mean his phrase reaction when you see him every day is "Go Rebs."
You know, and it's just that's what you look out of him, you know what I mean?
It's great, especially when he starts to post his fishing stuff
and what he does, and you get to talking about those things,
and you know, what new products he has.
And it's just a great feeling.
You know, he's been around the game for a long time and he treats us very well.
What's up?
You alright?
I'm good.
Yeah, how about you?
Proud of you.
No pain.
You're getting huge man, woo.
NFL caliber huge right there.
I hang out with Ken Crane, the most powerful man in Oxford right here.
I mean he's a staple here.
You know, kids love him.
The staff loves him.
He's just – it will be weird being around Ole Miss football
and not having Ken Crane here somewhere.
It takes everybody, not just certain groups,
not just the players and the coaches.
It takes everybody around us, you know,
we appreciate everybody who helps the University and helps the team.
You know, he does a great job a puts all the effort in to it.
They're the ones, you know, that move the gear around
and having the footballs to where we don't have to wait
for someone to throw a football back from the sideline and stuff.
You know, our practices would probably be like three hours without them.
And we're definitely thankful to have them.
Boot goofin'.
Oh, I'm going to get fired.
Oh.
You broke it.