LB's Benford and K. Johnson showed up in the fall in pitiful shape. They were given a chance to remain with the team and play themselves into shape. They were expected to make a commitment to stay in shape to remain. Benford was the first to fail. He left before the spring semester began. K. Johnson apparently felt he was too important to heed the instructions of the coaching staff and reported to spring in laughable shape at over 270 lbs. He was ultimately excused from the squad. The responsibility to monitor the strength and condition of the players fell on the shoulders of the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Tsuruda. Such failures were not received warmly.