CHICAGO – The Saint Xavier University football team begins Spring practice this week in a build up to their Spring Scrimmage of Saturday, April 27. The Cougars will practice 3-4 time a week over the next four weeks, beginning on Wednesday April 3 and they have their intersquad scrimmage at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field at the end of the month starting at 11:00 am. SXU elevates former defensive standout and defensive backs coach Brenton Johnson (2017-18) to Defensive Coordinator. Johnson was an All-Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League First Team selection his senior year in 2018 as he totaled 39 tackles (24 solos) with 10 pass breakups, four interceptions and 0.5 tackles for loss for two yards. In two seasons with Saint Xavier after transferring in from Culver-Stockton College (Mo.), Johnson played in 23 games with 59 stops (37 solos), 11 pass breakups, four interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He has been a part of the Cougar coaching staff since 2019.
 
Head coach Mike Feminis had this to say about the start of Spring practice, "It was 35 degrees and snowing this morning for our first practice so I refer to it as 'Playoff Weather.' But the guys are just excited to get going again after 10 weeks of winter strength and conditioning work. Spring ball is especially important for our young players as it gives them a real opportunity to make an impression on the coaching staff but in general it's all about competing and getting better every day whether you are a rookie or a veteran."
 
On naming coach Johnson, "Brenton is deserving of this opportunity after playing for us and coaching in the system this past five years and I know our defensive players are excited to play for him," Feminis said. "Previous defensive coordinator Bill McKeon (2016-23) did a tremendous job for us and will be missed but Brenton has a great support staff of coaches who know our system inside and out so I don't expect us to skip a beat."
 
Registration for the annual SXU Cougar Football Golf Classic is now open. The event takes place on Friday, May 17 at The Meadows Golf Course in Blue Island, Ill with sign-in starting at 9:00 am and the shot gun format teeing off at 10:00 am.
 
"This is one of my favorite days of the year," said Feminis. "A ton of alumni come back to play so it gives us all a chance to reconnect. Talking to these guys about their playing days, sharing old stories and seeing where they are now professionally and personally with so many of them being husbands and fathers is what this day is all about."
 
Sign up for the golf outing here