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Assistant Coaches Media Session
August 03, 2017 03:21 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University football coaching staff met with the media on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if the players are settling into playing with pads
They were anxious the first day. Yesterday, not so much, but the first day when they put the shoulder pads on. Now today, because it is a live situation, we’ll be able to put pants on and do some things so that will get our guys going again. Everybody knows how camp goes. Everybody is anxious at first and then we are tired of hitting each other and tired of tackling the same people and defending the same stuff. It wears on you a little bit, but everybody in the country is doing it so we need to do it and we need to continue to get better.
On if there is something different that he will look for in practice knowing the players will be wearing pads
Yeah, we will kind of scale back a little bit and just turn them loose and let them play. We won’t throw a bunch of different fronts or coverages or blitzes. We are going to stay pretty simple and just wind them up and let them go a little bit.
On if you learn about a player’s instincts by watching them in a simplified defense
Yes, very much so and you see who will bite and who won’t. The biggest thing right now is that we have a lot of guys that we really don’t know about so we have to turn them loose and see how they react.
On what you do not find out about players until the first game
There is a bunch because that brings a whole other element. There is people in the seats, they know they are on TV. It is a little different for them, they get a little nervous. Usually what happens after the first couple of plays is they get hit in the mouth or hit somebody in the mouth then things calm down a little bit and it goes back to ‘OK this is just football’ and not get caught up in all their surroundings.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On how cornerbacks are doing so far
They’re all doing pretty good, we’re starting off with (senior cornerback) Mike Daniels Jr. and (senior cornerback) Elijah Battle, those are the two guys that have been around and that I have high expectations for because those are the two guys that have any experience here. We have a couple new guys, (redshirt senior cornerback) Cory Winfield, a Syracuse transfer, who is doing well, (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Hakeem Bailey who is a junior college transfer who came in the spring and (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Fontez Davis who is also a junior college transfer and came in the summer. Those guys are the ones who started it off but we also have a lot of young guys like (redshirt freshmen cornerback) Sean Mahone, (redshirt freshmen cornerback) Jake Long, (redshirt freshmen cornerback) Jacquez Adams, (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Jordan Adams, and (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Kevin Williams so competition is high and we have a good group going right now.
On what he has seen out of (redshirt senior cornerback) Corey Winfield so far
He’s very mature, has experience, he started twenty plus games at Syracuse. I just expect him to learn the scheme and try to continue to build on the knowledge he already has.
On the returning players
(Senior cornerback) Mike Daniels Jr and (senior cornerback) Elijah Battle have been the guys we expected to take the leadership roles and step up, but obviously (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Hakeem Bailey has done well since he’s been here and I expect a lot from him as well as the young guys that are starting to get a lot of reps and we’re seeing how the respond to different situations since it’s their first time really getting quality reps.
Assistant Coach (Defense/Special Teams) Mark Scott
On redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jonn Young and redshirt freshman kicker Evan Staley
Evan is our swing guy; he was the backup kickoff guy last year when we redshirted Jonn. Jonn had a heavier emphasis on that throughout the winter, spring and summer. All of our guys have looked good, we just need to continue to get more consistent. With them being away for a week, you expect some of those things with getting back into the swing of things. We just have to get more consistent and continue to build up our strength, build up our endurance, everything like that.
On redshirt senior kicker Mike Molina’s role on kickoffs
We’re trying to take that off his plate as long as we can. If it gets closer to game week and we have an issue, then we’re going to put out the guys that are going to give us the best chance to win. But we would like to take that off his plate. We need other guys to step up.
On kickoff team’s progress
It’s still early. I think we’ve done kickoffs one day. We work different phases on different days. In the kickoff, that’s a 10- to 12-yard running start; that’s the most explosive movement. We’re not going to do that three or four times per week. But we’re going to continue to build it, continue to chart it and continue to work as many guys as we need to. As we get deeper into camp, we’ll have a better idea on who our number one is and who is our number two. Again, that’s going to be a fluid situation throughout camp and, really, throughout the year.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On changes in safety regulations in football
Obviously, we pay a lot more attention to safety, that’s without a doubt. I even had the guys raise their hand when I said ‘How many of you were taught to lead with your head?’ and that’s a technique we have gotten rid of. We talk about the techniques we use and emphasize that they don’t lead with their head. Safety has changed a lot and honestly for the better because you can still be physical you just have to be smart about it.
On if he measures toughness differently
No, it stays pretty much the same, a lot of things can happen without that kind of contact. I’ve never taught to lead with the head so it’s an easy transition.
On adjusting to rule changes and coaching to rule changes
You have to do what you have to do, you have to adjust to the rules. You have to really emphasize teaching all the proper techniques and following the techniques can really get them in the right position for plays and just be smart about things and how you handle your business. You will be in some competitive situations so we try to teach them in practice situations how to adjust to those situations during games.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On how the newcomers are looking at safety
It’s still kind of early to tell. You know, as far as being able to help us. They’re all skilled. They’re all athletic, but they do some things good just over the first couple of days here. For the freshman guys coming in, right now we have E.J. (Brown) (freshman safety) and Ricky (Johns) (freshman safety) are playing spur. Kenny (Robinson) (freshman safety) is playing free safety, and Collin (Smith) (freshman safety) and Exree (Loe) (freshman safety) are at the bandit position learning those right now. Obviously, trying to get their capacity to those first, then see where they can potentially help us down the road if we have to make a position switch, but the first couple days of practice Kenny Robinson stood out with great athleticism. He’s a rangy type of kid and I was kind of understanding what we want from him from that free safety position. So, he’s picking up things quick. The other guys are starting to come along a little bit but it’s still way too early to tell. That’ll sort itself out over the next couple of weeks.
On how freshman safety Derrek Pitts looks at the start of fall camp
Yeah, obviously, those mid-year freshmen that come in, that gives them about six months and 15 spring practices to learn what we’re doing and get good reps at it. So, Derrek (Pitts) (freshman safety), he’s still learning, still growing and he kind of needs at this point in time, in fall camp, I would expect him to be ahead. I thought he would be further ahead. He’s got to come along the next few practices and get to where he was at the end of spring.
On how redshirt junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry looks at the start of fall camp
Four practices in and no complaints from his end, no complaints on my end. Still cleaning up a few things but as the leader that I thought he would be. Getting the guys ready and flying around. No complaints on my end about what he’s been doing.
On how the safeties have been doing in camp thus far
I was kind of disappointed the first couple of practices, but I think that’s just me being a hard coach on those guys. I expect everything to be good. Especially the longer that you’ve been in the system, but I’m glad it’s August 2nd not September 3rd. So, we’ve still got a long way to go. Those guys will get better, obviously, and they’re learning. That’s why we have our film sessions to correct and go back out to run the same stuff in practice. He’s got the tools. He’s got it all just like you saw towards the end of last year. I expect him in the next four weeks here to be back to where he was at the end of last year.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On if players are beginning to shake the rust off
A little bit. Today will be interesting because we are going live for the first time. We will see if they have knocked it all off yet. It’s a grind. These kids go through a lot right here, its early mornings, late nights. There is a physical strain on their bodies. Our strength staff does a really good job in the recovery aspect of it. Again, you have to emotionally and physically bring it every day and sometimes it’s hard to do. Yesterday wasn’t as emotional of a practice as it was the first day that we had pads on. I expect this one today, going live for the first time, to be a pretty emotional and physical practice.
On redshirt senior wide receiver Nate German
Good, learning curve right now. I have thrown a lot at him, giving him a ton of reps. I think the kid has the right mind set. You can tell that he has played a lot of football. He was actually a quarterback at Rice at one point and then he has been a receiver. He has played at the college level. Really right now he is trying to figure out the offense and all of the ins and outs of it. He can hopefully get out there and help us. I have been pleased with how he is so far, we just have to keep repping over these next two weeks and developing him and getting it to where he starts to think slow is what I’m trying to accomplish with him.
On if redshirt senior wide receiver Nate German is going to play inside receiver
Yeah he can. He can bounce around, right now we have him focusing on the inside because we are not a very big believer on moving guys all over the place, especially new guys. It’s mainly here is your position and let’s learn it and move forward with that.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On how first week of practice is going
Well, first of all, when your voice is strained, that may not be good. I’ve seen progress every day; they’ve moved forward, we haven’t gone backwards. The same questions are there because we haven’t been in pads, we haven’t put them in scrimmage scenarios. We haven’t put the ball down and just played enough to see how they would react in the live combat. It’s still been a lot of just centralized, local structure and drills. Today, we’ll liven it up a little bit and as each day goes, we’ll know more this time next week. From an effort standpoint, from an assignment standpoint, they’re starting to catch onto basically how we set things up. Some leadership is coming through; nobody has backed off. They’re taking care of their bodies, they’re getting sleep, they’re getting their fluids. It’s been a good camp so far.
On any concerns so far
I think the first thing is let’s establish who are the best five. As soon as we get moving in that direction, we’ll know more, but that won’t be established today. We have plenty of time for that. They’re all scratching and clawing and throwing wood and grabbing rungs on the ladder and pulling. So, we’re happy with that, but the biggest concern is ultimately to get some guys to step up and take some jobs over. The second thing would probably be our depth in two scenarios. Number one, is our second team. There are a lot of young players out there; are they ready yet? We’ll see. Are they physical enough? Their attention to detail – how important is that to them right now in their lives? Then the third thing is critical – who is that third guard? Who is that third tackle and where do your centers stack up? So, depth and personnel and stuff like that is critical. It’s hard to make judgments until we put the ball down and start playing some ball.
On who is starting to stick out in fall camp
Well, I think we’re starting to formulate our tackles as they stand. I’m encouraged by the guys that are taking the first-team reps today. (Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Colton (McKivitz) is doing a nice job. Like (head coach) Dana (Holgorsen) said, he’s a year better, a year older. But again, he’s not ready to quit practice. I don’t think he’s ready to stop getting better right now. So, he has a ways to go but he’s getting better and I’m encouraged by the fact that he’s back, he’s healthy and getting better. I’m encouraged that (redshirt junior offensive lineman Yodny) Cajuste is back. Yodny is getting better; you can tell he’s rusty. You can tell he hasn’t had reps, that’s natural. He’s gaining ground and you could feel a little more comfortable of departing the last scrimmage in understanding the protections, whether it be empty or play-action. You could feel the run block, but we’re still not fit exactly just right. But he’s getting better and (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Kelby (Wickline) is doing a nice job. He’s a junior college guy that comes in and he’s competing for a job and can play left and right. The other thing is our young tackle (freshman offensive lineman) Tyler Thurmond. Usually those guys are on the shelf and will be a scout-team guy. He’s competing, he has an opportunity. He’s putting some plays together in team periods and it makes you think he has a chance to help us this year as far as depth. Inside, (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Matt (Jones) is Matt. He’s cutting down weight and his movement is getting a little bit better. He’s seeing a lot of different looks right now. When a center sees a lot of looks, you have to be able to dissect all that and assess it. But he’s getting better. (Redshirt junior offensive lineman) Ray Raulerson is doing a good job and I think Ray can compete for a job. We feel good about his progress. And at center, (redshirt senior) Kyle Bosch is taking some snaps right now. Sometimes they’re good and sometimes they’re bad. But Kyle is good with that; he’s doing a good job. He’s playing both right and left guard and he’s also taking some snaps at center. Those guys have been pleasing. (Redshirt freshman Josh) Sills is a big guy that has played a lot of tackle in his career, but he has flipped and made a transition to guard. He has great movement, covers you up, big. He’s long from ready but it’s not for a lack of motivation. And then (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Grant (Lingafelter) is in there firing away. He’s a senior and has been around here for a long time. We expect him to be a good football player. We expect him to take on that age because it is (his) time. So, we’re pressing all of them really hard right now. We want to be good today but we know it’s a process. We understand that and they understand that. They’re doing a good job.
Assistant Coach (Running backs) Tony Dews
On how fall camp is starting off
Everything’s continuing to progress. We’re still heavy in the installation, or we were until yesterday. We’ll slow down a little bit today as we get into pads for the first time. You know how that goes. The first time you get in pads and all the excitement. These kids will lose their mind fundamentally for a couple periods anyways because they’re excited to get pads on and go play. Looking forward to it. They’re moving in the right direction. Everyone’s playing hard, hustling, moving around. So life is good.
On the depth at running back
It’s been good, again, because it’s a lot of competition. No one gets comfortable and thinks ‘it’s my spot’ or ‘it’s my job’. Again, they continue to support each other, yet they’re competing. As long as they’re competing and everyone’s working hard, hustling, running around, moving around, doing what they’re asked, and not busting assignments, then we’ll continue to move forward. We’ve been mixing it up so that everyone gets an opportunity to carry the ball behind the different lines and combinations so that you get a true evaluation of what each guy can do when we’re mixing them. We’ll continue to mix them and making sure they’re hitting all the different plays when we script things out. We can rotate guys in a way that they can get some of the power run type stuff and mix them so that everyone can get some spread run stuff. Just mixing it, mixing and matching. Again, we’re still quite a way away from playing a game. The best way to find out what they all can do is rotate them through and move them around.
On his coaching philosophy for running backs
Again, I think it’ll be built based on what they’ve done through camp and the week of practice leading up. When we go into a game, obviously, we’ll feel comfortable that they’ve executed at a high level throughout camp and through the week of practice. Particularly, going into the first game, and as they get into the games, I’ll have to see how it goes but the smart thing to do is whoever has the hot hand and is playing well, you let them play. It’s kind of like one of those things. If it’s not broken, then why fix it? We’ll have to see how that goes, see how it plays out and then, obviously, if we can get a rotation going early in the season and get guys playing, then I think that helps us, as you saw last year, with the depth. As we get into the season, if a guy happens to get dinged up and you’ve got someone who’s played quality reps and then the other thing is the more guys you can play, you can keep guys fresher longer throughout the season in my mind. You just kind of have to see how it plays out.
Assistant Coach (Receivers) Tyron Carrier
On the wide receivers so far in camp
They are getting to the point where they know how to practice. Well they are learning how to practice. The last two days have been the tougher ones as far as pads. We have picked up the volume of reps for the one’s, the two’s and the three’s. It’s picking up. I am learning a little bit about them as far as the mental things. When you get fatigued, your pads get bad, your stance is all horrible. I’ll learn that part about them and now they can see it and now there are some things you can focus on.
On redshirt junior wide receiver William Crest Jr.
He is coming in and he is new to this position with me. It’s a process. Right now we have him learning the inside receiver position. It’s a process. The evaluation process on Will will take a little time as a far as film study and getting him some quality reps.
On if he likes the versatility at the wide receiver position
Yes, I do. I feel like we can’t go wrong with who we have out there. The great thing is (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) knows how to feed the big guys and the fast guys. He is not going to feed the big guys something he would give a speedster. In the realm of my room, as far as receiver, I have everything that I need.
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