Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Assistant Coaches and Players Media Session
April 07, 2018 01:14 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if spring practices ending early allows for more time in the weight room
Yeah it is. It gives Mike (Joseph) a few more weeks in the weight room before they go. We have two more countable weeks right now, and then we have about six weeks of discretionary, and then we get back in the picture in June, and we will push them hard. Those guys will be ready; Mike and his staff do a tremendous job. I wanted the (defensive) line bigger, and within a month and half, they are all a lot bigger. Some guys 20 pounds, some guys 15 those guys will get them how we want them. I'm looking forward to starting this thing up in August. I'm probably, and I told you guys this early in the spring, I am probably more excited about this year coming up than any year that I have been a coordinator just for the fact that we have so many pieces back. I know a lot of people worry about that we have guys that are not here or hurt, we're going to be fine.
On how the worries at each position change throughout the spring
Yeah, it's always like that. You can never guess, and when you try to you're wrong. Who knows? Again, at nose guard, who knew (sophomore defensive lineman) Darius Stills would have the spring that he had. I think he was our most improved guy.
On senior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
He is definitely a leader up front. He is a very vocal guy, high energy guy, always smiling and always doing stuff the right way. We look to him for leadership and just playmaking. By the end of the year last year, he was one of our most productive guys up front.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On where freshman quarterback Trey Lowe III is now compared to when he first arrived on campus
Light years. We were comparing tape of just our quarterback drills from day one to practice 14, and he's done a tremendous job. He's a kid that is very eager, and he is a coach's kid. He is constantly wanting to improve, constantly wanting to learn. Probably one of the greatest assets for him right now is playing behind (redshirt senior quarterback) Will Grier, so he gets to sit there and watch a guy that's playing at a pretty high level and how he does it and then eventually put his own twist on it. Again, the kid should be going to prom probably this weekend, so I am very impressed with how he has handled it and now he is off to baseball. I don't know if I could have handled that if I was his age. He is a very special athlete; the future is pretty bright for that kid.
On if he is feeling good about the receivers
I am. Still need some depth, but I thought (sophomore wide receiver) Reggie Roberson (Jr.) and (senior wide receiver) (Dominique) Dom (Maiden), I thought those guys made strides. (Redshirt senior quarterback) Will (Grier) is pretty comfortable if they have to come in and give some of these guys a break then he feels comfortable going to them. Still, we have four more receivers coming in in June, so that competition is going to keep increasing every day.
On where sophomore running back Tevin Bush will fit in the offense
I think he will bounce around. We put him at receiver because he spent a year in the running back room so it was good for him to get in the room with coach (assistant coach (wide receivers) Tyron (Carrier) and start learning technique and start figuring that out. But at the end of the day, he is going to be a package guy that you can play all over the place.
Redshirt Senior Safety Dravon Askew-Henry
On becoming a leader this season
Well, I just have to be that leader out there this year. I can't talk about it, I just have to do it, just by leading by example on and off the field. In the film room, in practice, in meetings just all around.
On if he has talked to associate head coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson about being a leader
Yeah, he told me right after the last game last year against Utah that it is time to step up and be that leader. It's my last go-round.
On what will be different about the defense this season than last season
We are going to do more attacking. We are going to get after it this year. We were hesitant last year, a little laid back, lackadaisical, this year we want to get after it.
On why they were lackadaisical last year
I would say just going into the season the way we practiced, it wasn't there. This year the coaches really emphasized that we have to get better on that.
Senior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the most eye opening part of last season
I would say that it would have to be is taking coaching. That is one of the hardest parts for most guys here, because it is hard to take coaching, taking what they say and how they are saying it. It's getting better for me.
On the experience that the defensive line has now
Yeah, it really helps in the meeting room and on the field. All practices, having guys that know what to do. We are bringing energy now, the d-line is bringing energy to the whole defense now. When something is going wrong, the d-line, we come together and talk and it's like we have to go out on the field and make plays, we have to bring everybody else up. If someone else makes a play, go congratulate them. It is starting to work for us, bringing everybody up.
On embracing the whole experience here at WVU
Yes sir, I actually like to socialize with the other sports. So, I go to their meets, I like to meet of the athletes that play other sports, because I also play a lot of other sports. I play tennis, I play basketball, I actually played volleyball. I'm just willing to see what they have going.
Senior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On how you develop team chemistry
It starts with just having a good group of guys in the locker room. A lot of guys have some great character, a lot of great leadership. Which I feel like this year we have great leadership, not that we didn't have that in the past, I just feel that this year is very special with our locker room and the guys we have in there are good character. We all really have the same goals and that is to just win on the field and I feel like we have done a good job at doing that. That's really where the team chemistry comes from is having that good character in the locker room, good leadership so that everyone can follow the group of guys that are leading the team.
On how valuable the last practice was after finding the spring game was cancelled
Very valuable. Obviously, it was an administration decision that we didn't get to have the spring game, but we are very happy that we can come out here today and have this walk for the kids and the children's hospital. Definitely every practice is very valuable, only getting 15 of them, well 14 this year. Only getting 14 this year, you want to take every time you get out there as a chance to get better. We did that this year, everybody came to practice, ready to practice, ready to play with a good energy throughout the whole practice. We felt good about our spring ball, felt like we got a lot done and we feel good going into summer and into fall camp.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On his thoughts looking back on spring practice
I definitely got better with, as always, the footwork, the hand speed, the kick slide and all of that good stuff. I think I have definitely improved, it's just being consistent is the big thing. What I've been taught is that, be consistent and the coaches are always going to believe in you. As a group, we also improved. The inside is still working and fighting, and it's a job to get those guys ready. We are looking forward to this season. (Redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) and I are trying to get them there, we are teaching them at film session every night after practice. It's helping. (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) (Jacob) Bucc (Buccigrossi) and (redshirt junior offensive lineman) (Matt) Jones, they are going at it. The guys are improving and young guys are coming along. I think that is helping, and we are getting some guys coming this summer so that will help with depth, I think it is going to be good.
On if there is an added emphasis in the weight room in the spring
Yeah, there definitely was. Last year, we weren't the most physical group up front. That was definitely a weak point on last year's team. We took that into this offseason with (Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning) Mike (Joseph) and (Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning/Director of Applied Performance) coach (Darl) Bauer and (strength) coach (Chad) Snodgrass, they pushed us this offseason, and there was an emphasis that we have to be the more physical group up front. That's where our games are going to be won. We have some of the best skill guys in the country, and our defense is getting there. David (Long Jr.) is going to lead them and Dravon (Askew-Henry) and those guys, but it's going to come down who is the most physical group up front.
On if it is different moving into a leadership role
It definitely is. It has been a long time, I've played a lot of snaps, I wasn't expecting to play this many already, but it is just maturing as time goes and realizing that you are in the veteran role, and you are one of the leaders of the group and you have to take command of that and teach the young guys how things are supposed to be done.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if spring practices ending early allows for more time in the weight room
Yeah it is. It gives Mike (Joseph) a few more weeks in the weight room before they go. We have two more countable weeks right now, and then we have about six weeks of discretionary, and then we get back in the picture in June, and we will push them hard. Those guys will be ready; Mike and his staff do a tremendous job. I wanted the (defensive) line bigger, and within a month and half, they are all a lot bigger. Some guys 20 pounds, some guys 15 those guys will get them how we want them. I'm looking forward to starting this thing up in August. I'm probably, and I told you guys this early in the spring, I am probably more excited about this year coming up than any year that I have been a coordinator just for the fact that we have so many pieces back. I know a lot of people worry about that we have guys that are not here or hurt, we're going to be fine.
On how the worries at each position change throughout the spring
Yeah, it's always like that. You can never guess, and when you try to you're wrong. Who knows? Again, at nose guard, who knew (sophomore defensive lineman) Darius Stills would have the spring that he had. I think he was our most improved guy.
On senior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
He is definitely a leader up front. He is a very vocal guy, high energy guy, always smiling and always doing stuff the right way. We look to him for leadership and just playmaking. By the end of the year last year, he was one of our most productive guys up front.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On where freshman quarterback Trey Lowe III is now compared to when he first arrived on campus
Light years. We were comparing tape of just our quarterback drills from day one to practice 14, and he's done a tremendous job. He's a kid that is very eager, and he is a coach's kid. He is constantly wanting to improve, constantly wanting to learn. Probably one of the greatest assets for him right now is playing behind (redshirt senior quarterback) Will Grier, so he gets to sit there and watch a guy that's playing at a pretty high level and how he does it and then eventually put his own twist on it. Again, the kid should be going to prom probably this weekend, so I am very impressed with how he has handled it and now he is off to baseball. I don't know if I could have handled that if I was his age. He is a very special athlete; the future is pretty bright for that kid.
On if he is feeling good about the receivers
I am. Still need some depth, but I thought (sophomore wide receiver) Reggie Roberson (Jr.) and (senior wide receiver) (Dominique) Dom (Maiden), I thought those guys made strides. (Redshirt senior quarterback) Will (Grier) is pretty comfortable if they have to come in and give some of these guys a break then he feels comfortable going to them. Still, we have four more receivers coming in in June, so that competition is going to keep increasing every day.
On where sophomore running back Tevin Bush will fit in the offense
I think he will bounce around. We put him at receiver because he spent a year in the running back room so it was good for him to get in the room with coach (assistant coach (wide receivers) Tyron (Carrier) and start learning technique and start figuring that out. But at the end of the day, he is going to be a package guy that you can play all over the place.
Redshirt Senior Safety Dravon Askew-Henry
On becoming a leader this season
Well, I just have to be that leader out there this year. I can't talk about it, I just have to do it, just by leading by example on and off the field. In the film room, in practice, in meetings just all around.
On if he has talked to associate head coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson about being a leader
Yeah, he told me right after the last game last year against Utah that it is time to step up and be that leader. It's my last go-round.
On what will be different about the defense this season than last season
We are going to do more attacking. We are going to get after it this year. We were hesitant last year, a little laid back, lackadaisical, this year we want to get after it.
On why they were lackadaisical last year
I would say just going into the season the way we practiced, it wasn't there. This year the coaches really emphasized that we have to get better on that.
Senior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the most eye opening part of last season
I would say that it would have to be is taking coaching. That is one of the hardest parts for most guys here, because it is hard to take coaching, taking what they say and how they are saying it. It's getting better for me.
On the experience that the defensive line has now
Yeah, it really helps in the meeting room and on the field. All practices, having guys that know what to do. We are bringing energy now, the d-line is bringing energy to the whole defense now. When something is going wrong, the d-line, we come together and talk and it's like we have to go out on the field and make plays, we have to bring everybody else up. If someone else makes a play, go congratulate them. It is starting to work for us, bringing everybody up.
On embracing the whole experience here at WVU
Yes sir, I actually like to socialize with the other sports. So, I go to their meets, I like to meet of the athletes that play other sports, because I also play a lot of other sports. I play tennis, I play basketball, I actually played volleyball. I'm just willing to see what they have going.
Senior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On how you develop team chemistry
It starts with just having a good group of guys in the locker room. A lot of guys have some great character, a lot of great leadership. Which I feel like this year we have great leadership, not that we didn't have that in the past, I just feel that this year is very special with our locker room and the guys we have in there are good character. We all really have the same goals and that is to just win on the field and I feel like we have done a good job at doing that. That's really where the team chemistry comes from is having that good character in the locker room, good leadership so that everyone can follow the group of guys that are leading the team.
On how valuable the last practice was after finding the spring game was cancelled
Very valuable. Obviously, it was an administration decision that we didn't get to have the spring game, but we are very happy that we can come out here today and have this walk for the kids and the children's hospital. Definitely every practice is very valuable, only getting 15 of them, well 14 this year. Only getting 14 this year, you want to take every time you get out there as a chance to get better. We did that this year, everybody came to practice, ready to practice, ready to play with a good energy throughout the whole practice. We felt good about our spring ball, felt like we got a lot done and we feel good going into summer and into fall camp.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On his thoughts looking back on spring practice
I definitely got better with, as always, the footwork, the hand speed, the kick slide and all of that good stuff. I think I have definitely improved, it's just being consistent is the big thing. What I've been taught is that, be consistent and the coaches are always going to believe in you. As a group, we also improved. The inside is still working and fighting, and it's a job to get those guys ready. We are looking forward to this season. (Redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) and I are trying to get them there, we are teaching them at film session every night after practice. It's helping. (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) (Jacob) Bucc (Buccigrossi) and (redshirt junior offensive lineman) (Matt) Jones, they are going at it. The guys are improving and young guys are coming along. I think that is helping, and we are getting some guys coming this summer so that will help with depth, I think it is going to be good.
On if there is an added emphasis in the weight room in the spring
Yeah, there definitely was. Last year, we weren't the most physical group up front. That was definitely a weak point on last year's team. We took that into this offseason with (Assistant Athletic Director for Strength and Conditioning) Mike (Joseph) and (Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning/Director of Applied Performance) coach (Darl) Bauer and (strength) coach (Chad) Snodgrass, they pushed us this offseason, and there was an emphasis that we have to be the more physical group up front. That's where our games are going to be won. We have some of the best skill guys in the country, and our defense is getting there. David (Long Jr.) is going to lead them and Dravon (Askew-Henry) and those guys, but it's going to come down who is the most physical group up front.
On if it is different moving into a leadership role
It definitely is. It has been a long time, I've played a lot of snaps, I wasn't expecting to play this many already, but it is just maturing as time goes and realizing that you are in the veteran role, and you are one of the leaders of the group and you have to take command of that and teach the young guys how things are supposed to be done.
Players Mentioned
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DL
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