Decked out in the distinctive Cougars' green and yellow garb, socks rolled down around ankles, it is only when Shawn Smith peeps his whistle to temporarily pause play during pre-season training at Devonshire Rec. is it clear he is coach.

Even when he softly throws out a rhetorical question to his now stationary players, it is more in the manner of an elder brother than the Sergeant Major-style adopted by some football coaches.

Not that the youthful Smith does not command their instant respect. Far from it, with every player listening attentively as he explains the theory behind the drill before calling for a water break.

For the 37-year-old is one of the up and coming breed of Bermudian coaches. He only hung up his boots two seasons ago, and after masterminding Cougars' 2006-7 title triumph in his first season solely as coach it seems his methods are working just fine.

"I finished playing two years ago and it's been a difficult transition from player to coach," admits Smith. "But I've a lot of respect for the players and they've a lot of respect for me — it's mutual.

"Most of them actually played with me and I admit last season took some adjusting to as far as me being coach. It was my first season full-time, as I was player-coach previously.

"I still have to address discipline with the players every now and again. We all know each other well on and off the field, and sometimes they've found it hard to differentiate from me being their friend and coach. In the initial stages the players needed to get used to that, but it's sorted itself out now."

Smith's coaching career may be in its infancy, but he already seems well versed in the time-honoured managerial technique of creating a siege mentality within his camp.

Take his musings on Cougars being Bermuda's top dogs after winning nine of their 14 league games last season.

"We know the rest of the league will be gunning for us this season, and that will test our mental toughness. But we must stick together as a group," says Smith.

"I imagine most people will want to see us fail as we're the champions and we'll have to overcome a number challenges over the season because of that."

"But we're champions because we've worked hard over the last few seasons, gradually becoming one of the elite teams. It's important we remain humble and maintain the high standards we have set ourselves.

In reality Smith is not required to garner much togetherness. For when the Cougars describe themselves as one big family they aren't talking figuratively, with four Steede's in their ranks, as well as the Butterfield and Brangman brothers.

He describes Cougars' "family base" as a vital ingredient to their success with the players' strong bond extending out on to the pitch. It's probably due to this close-knit circle that no player has fled the nest since last season. The only new addition to Cougars' 'brotherhood' is defender Kijuan Franks, signed from St. David's.

"We have the four Steede boys, plus the Butterfield and Brangman brothers, so we do have a family base to us. We try to carry that over when we play," Smith adds.

The young coach, who was last season's coach of the year at the BFA awards, has not been afraid to blood his Cougar cubs, adopting the attitude if they're good enough they are old enough, with the team's average age around 22.

"We're a very young team with our oldest player only 27 years-old," Smith says. "Basically it's the same squad although six or seven juniors are now too old to play for the Under-18s and have stepped up to the first team.

"We used a lot of junior players mixed in with some senior guys last year. The young guys definitely played their part and this year they'll have more experience.

"I feel the reason for our success last season was our pre-season with the players' hard work carrying over into the season. Team morale was pretty high for the most part as well — there's no secret. The players want to go undefeated this term, but realistically that probably can't be achieved."

Out of the batch of colts Smith has high hopes for are Randy Robinson, Korvon Tucker, and Lamont Brangman who cut their teeth last campaign. Another pair from esteemed footballing stock is Tamaine and Moses Steede, the sons of former Cougars' ace Cyrille Steede and cousins of Bermuda Hogges captain and Cougar Kwame Steede.

Fellow Hogges contingent Raymond Beach, Daruis Cox and Domico Coddington, (the latter who missed most of the USL-D2 season through injury) have also returned to domestic duty and Smith has urged the rest of his team to mirror their new-found professionalism.

"I expect us to be stronger especially with the return of our Hogges' players Kwame, Raymond Beach, Darius Cox and Domico Coddington.

"Since their return our level has risen and you can definitely see they're at a higher level.

"It's important we don't bring the level they have attained back down to amateur status, so to speak, and use it a benchmark for the rest of the players to reach."

On Saturday, September 8 the curtain rises on the 2007-8 season with Cougars taking on local rivals and newly promoted Devonshire Colts in the Charity Cup at BAA Field. And Smith is expecting a heated battle between the old foes.

"There's a lot of history between us and the Devonshire Colts and bragging rights will at stake. People say whoever wins at least the trophy stays in Devonshire. They're in the Premier Division now so obviously they'll have something to prove as well.

"In the league I would say North Village will be our main rivals, but Somerset Trojans also got the better of us last season, so it will be interesting. But we've become used to winning trophies over the last few years and have been picking up at least one trophy season in, season out."

Cougars held a silence in respect of Boulevard striker Shaki Crockwell who was killed last week.