ISU head coach Paul Rhoads addressed the media Thursday much like he did at the beginning of last season, standing up and talking about his optimism for the upcoming season.

Even though Iowa State suffered through a two-win season last year, Rhoads’ message didn’t change. It was almost a spitting image of what he said at last year’s media day press conference after the team won three games in the 2013-14 season.

“I think I’ve been optimistic every season,” Rhoads said. “There’s a good reason why [last season] went the way it did. … This team has the closeness and chemistry that I talk about. It’s something that every coach strives to find, to have. You need to have it as a starting point.”

Some aspects of this season’s fall camp will attempt to make Rhoads’ message of optimism more than just words. Rhoads talked about leadership, chemistry and camaraderie being a main focus heading into the season.

“In the recent past, we’ve had some hiccups in [leadership],” Rhoads said. “It’s been a large part of our focus, along with the physical part, in the development and improvement of our kids. It was essential, it was necessary.”

Rhoads said the team has had some lapses in chemistry in past years and that it will be “essential to a team’s success.” He also said it will be partly on the 15 seniors’ shoulders to help carry the load.

Earlier in the year, Rhoads held a meeting with his players, asking them who they thought was the leader of the team. It was all a part of getting the chemistry back into the team.

More than just the leaders, Rhoads said it was important that the rest of the team responds to the leadership.

“The responsiveness to leadership, whether it come from a coach or a player, is really the biggest growth I’ve seen in this football team,” Rhoads said. “I’ve really emphasized the chemistry that’s in place right now.”

Another contribution to last year’s tough season was what Rhoads called “overcoaching,” something he is looking to fix by just getting back to simpler football.

“A year ago, you start overcoaching,” Rhoads said. “When you are missing pieces or your checkers aren’t as good, you try to start creating a little bit. Sometimes you outsmart yourself in that regard. We have to try and get away from that and get back to basics.”

Out of fall camp, another key focus will be limiting the injuries that, in Rhoads’ words, “decimated” the team last season.

“Without a doubt [our injuries] have been exposed,” Rhoads said. “We’ve examined all of the factors. We have a program in place to work to keep us healthy. That doesn’t prevent a guy running through the hall and putting his cleat on a guy and tearing his ACL. … You need a little luck.”

Rhoads wasn’t too worried about past seasons, only focusing on what lies ahead.

“[The upcoming season] is the next opportunity,” Rhoads said. “This football team, as myself, are excited about this 2015 opportunity and we are ready to compete.”