Assistant Coaches: Spring Football Update
March 09, 2015 02:39 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Monday, March 9, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On his comfort level with the defense and assistant coach Bruce Tall
I been with him for eight years, and he does a tremendous job with the defensive line. He understands the system. It’s not to the point where I have to teach him the defense. He understands it. I may have to catch him up on terminology, but he can give ideas too. It’s going to benefit our kids. It’s going to benefit our staff. In the long run, it is going to benefit me by just having a guy that I can count on and understands what to do.
On doing a better job of rushing the quarterback this year
It is good to rush them, but I want to have guys that actually hits quarterbacks. We went back and watched the whole season of cutups and different coverages: fronts and blitzes. The biggest thing when you look at it, is that we were very effective at times, but we never got to the quarterback. It was the illusion of how many guys we were bringing, and we spooked the quarterback to where he was getting rid of the ball quick. It was effective with what we did. Obviously, we have to do a better job when we are playing more of a zone coverage, and it is hard when we try to create pressure.
On tweaks for the spring season
We are not overhauling anything. We want our kids to be able to come into the spring and build on what we have done previously. We might tweak a blitz by putting a guy here instead of over there, but overall we want to look at what was effective and what hurt us. Just minor tweaks and trying to get us better.
On the movement of the linebackers
Nick (Kwiatkoski) was our defensive MVP for the season. He was very productive. Jared Barber is a linebacker and a three year starter. We do not want to put two of our best guys in the same sport. Nick has played outside and is more versatile. He runs a little better, and all of the above. We moved him over to Sam, and we are going to let him start right there and see how it goes.
On the mental transition between the positions
It’s all the same position. If you can play Mike then you can play Sam or Will for us. Those guys are so interchangeable. It is very easy and very simple.
On building reliable depth this spring
Yeah, basically with 10 starters coming back we have some things to do. We need to clean some things up, and we need to get better. Our number one goal as a defense is to tackle better. When you look back we tackled really well at times and other times we were really bad. We had a meeting this morning and that’s the one thing we need to emphasis from day one. I know we don’t have pads on, but its proper footwork, technique, lowering your pad levels and getting under control. That is the number one thing we have to work on in the spring. Obviously, we have to get guys that we are counting on to step up now. The (junior safety) Jeremy Tyler’s and (redshirt sophomore linebacker) (Al-Rasheed) Benton’s. I want to get those guys a lot of reps, and get them game ready at this point where we can have 22 guys we can throw in and not have to worry about it.
On seeing redshirt senior linebacker Jared Barber back on the field
He actually came back during bowl prep, so I was able to work with him in about 10 or 12 practices before the bowl game. Once we started prepping for (Texas) A&M we pulled him out, because we knew he wasn’t going to play, but it was good to get him in. He was able to run around and hit people. I am very excited to have him back and the leadership he brings to the defense. He is a hundred percent. We probably could of have Jared back in November last year, but there was no point. Nick (Kwiatkoski) was playing well, so we didn’t need to press that issue. He wanted to have a full season for his last one, so I feel really good about where he is at.
On the excitement of the linebacker depth available
I am very excited with these guys coming back. It easy to meet with them right now. They understand it, and I don’t have to go over everything. We can move on. Our installs are a lot quicker, and we can do a lot more. Actually, the biggest thing that I am excited for is that I get to throw some film up of what we did in the fall. They can work off of that and are able to see themselves make mistakes and be able to correct them. I am just excited to have everybody back. Obviously, we lost a couple of key guys. I told the guys I want to be great on defense, and there is no excuse as to why we shouldn’t be. I said I am not going to say we should be okay. No, we should be really good, and if not, then we failed as a defense, and we failed as a staff. I’ll put that directly on me. If we are not good then that is my problem.
On playing in the Big 12 Conference
It’s tough anytime that you are playing with these high caliber offenses. By the end of the season, I think we played about six or seven Top-50 offenses this year on our schedule. That is pretty good numbers. We made some difficult jumps in a lot of areas. Obviously, third down was our biggest jump. We were 85 spots better than we were a year ago. We finished ninth. I am really excited about that, and it is something to build off of. Now, tackling and turnovers are the two areas that we really have to concentrate and focus on in the spring.
Assistant coach (Cornerbacks) Brian Mitchell
On junior cornerback Daryl Worley’s return
I expect nothing but the hard work he has put in up until this point. He’s doing a great job of following a pretty strict regimen as far as the rehab goes. He can still be a leader now, he just has to be a coach while doing it. That’s just giving some valuable wisdom, experience and knowledge to the guys that are going to be playing this spring.
On Worley’s injury
It needed to be corrected, and I’m sure Dana (Holgorsen) crossed that bridge with you guys. I will leave it at that, but he will be healthy and ready to go this summer.
On coaching adjustments for this year
More than anything, our scheme has dictated the direction we are going to go. Therefore, our kids are going to have another year of going through the same every day drills that we are going to be going through. Those drills are going to set the foundation, so anytime we can go back and get better at what we do, we will do it. That position mastering during spring time is what we are going to emphasis. Not only being the master on the football field, but being the master in the classroom. How can I improve my technique on the field, and improve my knowledge of the game in the classroom.
On a better experience level this year
We have time. We have understanding, and we have knowledge. We can build off of the foundation we had last year. When kids go in there and watch film on their own they are able to break down opponents for the near future, and they are going to have a better understanding of how they are going to attack us. Not just individually attacking us, but schematically how they are going to attack us. That will give us a better understanding on some of the things that we need to do from a technique standpoint.
Assistant coach (offensive line) Ron Crook
On interchanging players on the line
It’s critical to be able to move guys around and find out who can do what the best. (Redshirt senior offensive lineman) Russell (Haughton-James) has played inside a lot, so I’m sure there are times where he is going to play at guard in the spring. (Adam) Pankey is probably going to be back out. It’s all about having the ability to move guys into different spots and not having to take a significant step back. I think we have that for at least a two-deep and more than that. We are able to move guys around and get a good look at them.
On the challenges of moving redshirt junior offensive lineman Adam Pankey from outside to inside
It’s easier to move from outside to inside. The issues you have are that you have a bigger guy aligned on you as opposed to those speed guys. It is just a difference in a guy rushing wide around the edge than a guy lining up and running right over top of you. It’s just a matter of learning to play with that leverage again, and learning to strike from that inside position. In addition, to playing every play in a three-point stance, even though 75 percent of them in a two point stance.
On the left tackle spot being in flux
I would say that is pretty safe to say. Again, the great thing is that we have a lot of guys to work in there. We have a lot of depth with guys to give a chance and see who is going to step up.
Assistant Coach (Running Backs) Jajuan Seider
On the depth at running back
We’ll do some stuff with Elijah (Wellman) and got Donte (Thomas-Williams) ready to go. We’ve got four guys in there. I just knock on wood that everybody stays healthy.
On redshirt freshman running back Donte Thomas-Williams
He had a realization that he wasn’t ready to play. His conditioning wasn’t in good form because he had to fight through some stuff. We’re always talking about being mentally tough and getting over obstacles. When you’re in a tough situation, you have to get yourself through. It’s been good. He has pushed through. We are going to need you for third-and-one, and fourth-and-one, and you have to go get it. Mike (Joseph) is doing a great job with those guys in the weight room. He’s learning now. Now we need to translate over to the field this spring. He needs to take those steps. He needs to be ready to play next year.
On if Thomas-Williams is bigger and leaner this spring
Yes. He’s bigger and leaner. He’s a naturally big guy. He’s six-foot-two. He came in 230 pounds. Now his body is toning up. He’s starting to run better and get his legs back up underneath him.
On if there is a downside to having too many running backs
No. I think you need depth always. Guys get banged up. But, you want the right depth. You want guys who understand their role and understand the situation at hand. Everybody can’t be a starter. Everybody has a role. Guys get the reps that they earn.
Assistant Head Coach (Receivers) Lonnie Galloway
On if the bigger concern is consistency or finding a guy who can stretch the field
Consistency. They can all run. Vernon (Davis Jr.) is as fast as anyone we’ve got. (Devonte) Mathis is fast. Shelton (Gibson) is fast. Now it’s all about being able to put it all together, get that package real tight and go to work.
On replacing the blocking ability of Kevin White
That’s my whole thing – if they don’t block, they’re not going to play. We didn’t have to worry about that with Kevin (White). Mario (Alford) would get in the way a little bit. The biggest thing that we’re going to try to accomplish for these 15 days is what they’re doing now with Mike (Joseph) which is being tough. We’ll get the offense part of it right, but you’re going to be tough. You’re going to block, or you’re not going to play. We’ll play the freshmen coming in.
On the wide receivers
They need to work on everything, because they haven’t played. You’ve got (Devonte) Mathis, Vernon Davis (Jr.), Ricky Rogers, Shelton Gibson, Lamar Parker, who can probably play inside or out, Jacky Marcellus will be inside, Jordan Thompson, obviously, will be inside. Daikiel Shorts will be inside. Wendell Smallwood plays running back but plays some receiver. There is a good little group. And then the three guys we are bringing in. Right now, they’ve probably played 20 snaps in between the outside guys. The good thing is they’ve been here. It’s not like when Kevin (White) and them got here, and they had to learn offense and get on the same page. These guys have been here so they know that part of it. Hopefully the light comes on for them.
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