August 27, 2012

Slant Staff

What is your thoughts on the secondary?

You are starting three seniors and a junior. They all have a lot of playing experience. I think last year when people watch the games they want to point fingers at the secondary for a lot of the fault of the defense but to be honest with you when you are covering for that long of time which was often the case because there wasn't a lot of pressure up front you get hung out to dry. I think that could be very easily be the strength of this year's team.

How have the transfers come in and performed?

The funny thing is one of the guys who might be the best transfer might not even play this year. That quarterback from BYU isn't bad. The timing fits really well for Jake because with Dayne here only a year and him having to sit out, that puts us in pretty good shape competitively at the quarterback position for the next bunch of years not that I am guaranteeing Jake anything. All these guys came over here to play, that's why they came. They might have come because of me, or Campo or because they knew us but they also want the opportunity to play and show that they got it in them. I think a lot of these guys have a chip on their shoulders and that's exactly what we need.

What are your thoughts on Ben Heeney?

He will be starting at middle linebacker on Saturday night. He played WILL linebacker for us in the spring some and played some in training camp. The one thing he has done better than anyone in training camp is make plays all over the field. We have been very impressed by his physicality and his energy and his athleticism. I think he will end up playing a lot for us.

What do you think of the new kickoff rule?

The new kickoff rule should help the defenses because of the field position game. There will be a lot more touchbacks or a lot of high short kicks that teams have the opportunity to tackle them within the 20 yard line. I think you will see the starting field position be closer to the defensive end than the offensive end.

How has James Sims done during training camp and how many touches will Tony Pierson get a game?

We will worry about James Sims when he is playing so lets worry about the guys that are playing. I think when you have a guy like Tony who is 170 plus pounds soaking wet with all sorts of ability then I think the one thing you want to do is get him to last the entire season. Could he go into a game and touch it 30 times? Yeah, but then you might not have him be very good for the next couple of games. I think guys like that are at their best when you maximize their touches at 15.

What is your philosophy towards how much of the playbook you use in your first game?

There are a couple of different mentalities to take. One, you can do a little bit of everything and have your next couple of opponents wonder how much time they should devote to all those little things you did. Or you can hold back. The bottom line is when you are 2-10 you better not hold too many things back. You need to do what you can to win that game and then you worry about the next game.

What did you learn from Bill Parcells when you worked under him?

One is leave your ego at the door. Football players and coaches usually have big egos but when you walk into that locker room and onto the field it's not about you it's about the team. I think that is one of the greatest things I learned from him. The second thing, and you will hear a lot of NFL teams use this is just do your job. I think everyone has a job to do on the team whether it's an equipment manager, the head coach and everyone in between. Everyone's job is important and everyone needs to know what their job is and do it the best you can because that will give you the best chance to be successful.

What do you want to see from the student section this Saturday?

I would like to see them there at the end of the game. That's a good place to start. Everyone knows I said we will sing the alma mater to the student body at the end of the game. It's kind of tough to sing it if they are not there. We are going there anyway so I would like a better connection with the football team and the student body. It works both ways. We have to do our part and they have to do their part.

What are your thoughts on defensive coordinator Dave Campo?

He is a great teacher and the players really respect him. I think so many times people don't realize that in football you are just an educator that motivates. It's not that much different than a teacher of any other class. The subject happens to be football so you have to motivate them and have you respect them. Usually you get better performance when that ends up happening but he is a very good teacher and it is what he likes to do the most.

Will you use a 3-4 or 4-3 defense this year?

6:06 Saturday night. You will find out when they find out.

What do you think of true freshmen Greg Allen and Tyree Williams?

I think you will see both of them out there on Saturday night. They won't be starters because we have a veteran group in the first four but I think I can safely say you will see them both out there.

Where you surprised that Dayne Crist bonded so quickly with the team?

No I wasn't because he is very smart. The first thing he did was hang out with the offensive line. Usually they go to the skill guys but on his visit all he did was play video games with the offensive line. When you're a quarterback that shows you are intelligent when you are hanging around the big guys because they are going to be the ones who protect you.

What are your thoughts on the players using the fact that nobody believes in them as motivation?

I have been an antagonist and have been fueling the fire myself. Everytime they feel like they have done something I tell them, 'Hey fellows, last time I checked you have lost about 100 in a row.' I am on them all the time but it is a great group of guys. There are a lot of guys who aren't here but the guys who are here are the ones who bought into the way we are doing business. I want to win for the school, the administration, and the alumni but most important I want it for those young men. For the last couple of years it has been pretty awful and I would like nothing more for them to taste a little success.