Gibson-Main-81416.jpg
Defensive Media Session
December 24, 2016 03:24 PM | Football
Orlando, Fla. (December 24, 2016) - West Virginia University Associate Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson and members of the WVU football team met with the media on Saturday, December 24, 2016, at Kroy Crofoot Field at the First Academy.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On Bowl Preparation
We practiced four or five days at home and then gave them a couple days off for Christmas. They’re not thinking about football at that time because they are with family. Then we got them back here and are getting ready for the game. It’s now all about the speed of the game and preparation and getting them ready and getting them healthy and fresh.
On BYU matching Miami’s offense and using the 2005 Sugar Bowl game against Georgia to help in preparation for Head Coach Mark Richt’s offense
It’s more about what they’re doing. The good thing was there were three or four teams that they played that are odd front. We really studied that a lot to see how they were going to attack and what they were going to do to them. We went back and watched that. In the way that we kind of figured that they were going to attack us, we kind of referenced the BYU game and we referenced even the 2006 Sugar Bowl to see what was going to carry over and what were the similarities.
On the Odd vs. Even Fronts, they are played at one level – are there other things that Miami does behind the front that doesn’t match what you guys do
A lot of people play quarters coverage. We don’t play any two high safeties stuff so that doesn’t really carry over from a coverage standpoint with us. This going to be a thing like it is every week with us. We will have to see how they attack us and keep making adjustments throughout the game.
How relieving was getting the contract extension and be able to stay in your home state
It was great. (Head Coach) Dana (Holgorsen) and I obviously, the day after Baylor, we met and starting talking about it. They were working on it. I want to think him and (Athletic Director) Shane (Lyons) and President (E. Gordon) Gee for keeping me around. It feels good being able to coach in my home state and keep continuing on what we built.
On the direction of the program and this is the best opportunity for him
I think we have some unfinished business here, obviously, and we are not anywhere near where we want to be as a program and I think you can see trending up over the past couple of years. I think (Head Coach) Dana (Holgorsen) and I work well together. The systems fit well together and we work well together. We have a great relationship on and off the field. That is the comforting part of it. Our administration has been great, obviously, our fan support and what these kids have done. Buying into what we do, that is what makes me stay at West Virginia and my love for the state.
On what helped the defense improve this year
The first thing to attribute to us getting better defensively, is having so many guys, our depth. Recruiting plays a part in it. Scoring defense was the big thing for us this year and what really made this work on the defensive side, replacing so many guys. We gave up yards at times, we would bend a little bit but wouldn’t break at the right times. Turnovers, again, played a big role in getting us some momentum during games.
On the challenges of coaching defense in the Big 12 Conference
Yeah, every week I think and don’t quote me on this but I am pretty sure that four out of the top 10 offenses in the country are in the Big 12. A couple of different times during the year, Texas Tech, was the first one, they were the number one offense in the country and we went there. The following week, TCU, was second, third, fourth, somewhere in there in the country. Every week it is just a challenge. Yes, it is not a comfortable feeling when you go and turn on film of these Big 12 offenses, it makes me lose a lot of sleep.
On what he wants to accomplish in the practices leading up to the bowl
Just get our kids, get their legs back, and get them back into football mode. I know it can be hard. Yesterday was a travel day, they had to get a lift in so they were worn out when they got here and they still went through a two hour practice in some gear and popped around a little bit. It was good to see, we got that one out of the way. Today’s practice is crucial; we have to get better and keep preparing and make sure the speed of the game is getting there.
On if he is surprised on the production from this year’s defense after losing players last season
I have said it multiple times, these kids have exceeded my expectations of how gritty, how tough, how locked in they were throughout the season. It’s not over, we aren’t satisfied with 10 wins. We want to get this 11th win for the program, for these seniors and go out the right way. I’m looking forward to a few more days of good practices and going out and competing.
Redshirt Junior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On pressuring Miami junior quarterback Brad Kaaya and sophomore running back Walton
Both of those guys are really good players. In my opinion, they are next level guys. Kaaya makes good decisions and is able to manage the game. The running back is really good; it doesn’t matter what run play you call or where the hole is, he can find it and he can get downfield. The biggest thing with those guys is a little pressure. It doesn’t matter what quarterback you play, you don’t want to let them sit there and set his feet. Kaaya, if you let him sit there and set his feet, he can make any throw on the field. You want to force him into situations that aren’t ideal for him and force him to make mistakes.
On the defensive philosophy this season
Dawgs. That is the brand. (Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) coach Gibby (Tony Gibson) says it every day, ride for the brand. Our brand is the dawgs. If you let the dogs out of the cage you know what happens. That is what we stick with, and I can’t wait to let the dawgs loose on Wednesday
On Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson getting a contract extension
It means a lot. A lot of the fans and people around West Virginia rally behind him. As well as the players, he is a great coach. I love him, I am glad that he will be here for years to come. That way the guys that are coming up behind me, will have a guy like that to get in there and watch film and become a better player with. That is the type of coach that he is. He fires you up and makes you a better player, I am glad that we have him for several years to come.
On how you have improved this season
The biggest thing for me this year is confidence. I have always known that I can get out and play. I have never had as many opportunities to get out and play and I have this year. To get out there this year and play against the competition that they say is the best and some of the people that are the best in the country that we have played against this year. It just showed me that I can do this, and it also should me areas that I need to improve. I have gotten in and watched the film and seen some things that I need to improve on. I can’t wait to get this game finished and start improving on these things from this year.
Redshirt Senior Cornerback Rasul Douglas
On his impressions of Miami
They are a good team. They have good receivers, good running backs and they have a good quarterback so whenever you have those good players you are a good team.
On Miami’s pro-style offense
They are kind of like BYU, who we played at the beginning of the season. I would compare them because they have a good (running) back and good outside receivers. They are a balanced team. We haven’t really played teams with tight ends, so it will be different so everything will still be the same for what we are going to do.
On Miami using a tight ends throughout the game
He might become my responsibility and if he does I will respect the challenge. I will be physical with him at the line of scrimmage and try to see if he can beat me vertically.
On Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson getting a contract extension
It is big. Just for everyone coming in to keep going with him. He makes you better. He won’t allow you to become a good player, he wants the best. A coach like that, that wants to get the best out of you, you have to want to play for a guy like that.
On the bowl game being his last game at West Virginia
It’s crazy, I feel like I just got here, honestly. Things have to come to an end and life goes on. Then, the next chapter for me will start. I am just trying to sink everything into this game and give it one last ride with my brothers, who I do everything with.
On the brotherhood in the defensive secondary
It’s very big. We do everything together. We play video games together, we are at each other’s houses every day. We talk all the time in group texts, so it is kind of big.
On what he expects from the defensive secondary in upcoming years
I am kind of scared of the next group behind us. They are ready to play, I feel like they could contribute now. I know that all of the tackles and stuff that I had, they will surpass that and someone might get 10 picks and I only got eight. I know that they will do a great job and (assistant coach/ cornerbacks) coach (Blue) Adams, coach (Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) (Tony) Gibby (Gibson) and (assistant coach/ safeties) coach (Matt) Caponi, they will keep coaching them up. Those guys will definitely be a great team next year and a great group of guys.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Justin Arndt
On the bowl game being his last game at West Virginia
Yeah, the time off you really think about what is left and there is not very much left except for one game. I just want to go out on top and hopefully play to the best of my ability.
On the challenges that Miami’s offense presents
The run game, they have really talented backs, they have a talented tight end and quarterback. Just trying to get them out of rhythm, they are going to be well balanced and try to establish the run early. Just trying to stop the run and make them air it out.
On if they have to prepare differently for Miami’s pro-style offense
It is the same schemes, it’s just being prepared for the run, if they add a guy in the box, more tight ends in formations things like that. There isn’t really anything different, most of the same schemes that we have been seeing.
On what is left to accomplish in the last two practices
Just getting your mind right. Getting back in the groove, getting back into playing football again, that is the main thing, just being prepared mentally and physically.
On the key to getting hyped up for the bowl game
It’s the last game of the year; you want to go out on top. Its momentum for next year for everyone coming back. You want to finish out the season strong and get to 11 wins and get your team in the history books.
On Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson getting a contract extension
That was definitely well-deserved. He has established a brand, and he makes you play to your abilities. He is going to get everything out of you and he has made me a better player and everyone else on defense a better player
Redshirt Senior Defensive Lineman Noble Nwachukwu
On the bowl game being his last game at West Virginia
Just knowing that it is my last go-around, I just have to embrace it. Just knowing that this is the last time that I will play in a bowl game like this, I am just trying to have fun with it for the most part. Being down here in Florida, it is finally good to get out of the cold weather but I am just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.
On preparing for Miami’s junior quarterback Brad Kaaya
He is a good top quarterback, one of the best in the nation. We are going to have to put a lot of pressure on him. He doesn’t like to get out of the pocket so we are going to have to make it as uncomfortable as possible.
On Miami’s running backs
We have been watching a lot of film on all of their running backs. All three of them are really solid. They are very fast, very twitchy so we are going to have to get everyone on the ball; all 11 of us to tackle them.
On Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson getting a contract extension
It’s a very big move because ever since Gibby (Gibson) got here the defense has done a lot better. I’m sure it will bring a lot more recruits and it should be good for the defense and the whole team.
On being the underdogs in the Russell Athletic Bowl
We are used to being underdogs; we embrace it. We don’t really focus on it though, we are going to go out there and play hard regardless. All we are worried about is getting the win.
On if there is anything he wants to do with his free time in Orlando
I want to go swimming. I haven’t been swimming since last summer so that is one thing I plan to do before I leave.
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
