Coach Neal Brown Press Conference
March 19, 2019 08:43 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University football coach Neal Brown addressed members of the media on Tuesday, March 19, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Opening Statement
Thank you all for being here. Day One, the good thing about Day One is that there will be a Day Two. It'll be better. The weather was great, it's good to get back out on the field with a ball. First practice with these guys, first practice here. There was a lot of enthusiasm. What I appreciate about this group is we probably have 98, 99 percent of these guys that are really trying to do the right thing, and they are bought-in. We have very few people that aren't. And this bunch likes to practice, which is a credit to them. It's like I told them at the end of practice: We have a starting point, there were times today where it wasn't pretty, which is to be expected, they haven't played competitive football going back to the bowl game. So, there were periods that were ugly, there were periods that were really good. I thought there were some guys that redshirted last year that had some moments today.
So, we have a starting point. Now, it's about getting better. We'll come back tomorrow, watch the film, make corrections, come back on Thursday and do it again. Basically what we have right now is a three-day installation on offense, and we're adding stuff each practice defensively. We have another practice on Thursday, and then on Saturday, we have what will be our annual Family Day, where we invite the parents and guardians, immediate family of all the players. They'll be here on Saturday, and we'll go in the stadium for them.
So, with that, I'll take some questions.
On how he plans to install the full offense
Basically what we do is we split it in thirds. We'll install our base offense in three days – that's our base runs, our base screens, base protections, play-action concepts, quick game, deep. We'll install those in three days. We'll try to get our motions in, as well. After that, what we'll do is we'll come back and add our tags, whether it's a run tag, pass tag. The way we're set up offensively is basically have three installs, so Practice Four we'll come back to Day One installs. Practice Five, we'll go back to Day Two. Over 15 (practices), we get five for each install.
On his impressions on the quarterbacks after the first practice
We had so many balls in the air that I'll probably be able to tell you better on Thursday when we talk again how they did. Here's the thing, I think it's hardest in spring ball and the start of fall camp, but especially in spring ball, because they've had a week off. They haven't even thrown going back to probably the Thursday before Spring Break, I think, is the last time the quarterbacks and receivers threw. So, they're all rusty from a timing perspective. It takes a while, pass-game-wise, to get some timing down. But I thought all three did some good things. The defense made a couple of nice plays; (redshirt senior cornerback) Keith Washington (Jr.) had a pick, which was really a nice pick, and he ran it back for a touchdown, so that was a bright spot. But I thought all three of the quarterbacks did a pretty good job. Going back to (redshirt junior quarterback) Jack (Allison), I think he has some confidence. He probably didn't play as well as he wanted to in the bowl game, but he got used to leading the offense. I thought (redshirt junior quarterback) Austin (Kendall) had command, which is difficult to do with a new team. He's less than three months being here, so I thought he had some command. And I thought (redshirt freshman quarterback) Trey Lowe (III) looked improved, just based on some of the practice stuff I saw last fall. I thought he looked improved.
On the importance of showing hustle and energy on the practice field
I'll be honest with you, these first two days especially when we're in helmets, it's really about teaching them what our standards are in practice. We're going to do the exact same practice schedule, different plays, but the exact same practice schedule on Thursday. The hope is it'll be more efficient, the guys will know what to expect – I'm talking from staff, managers, trainers, everybody. It's about teaching them the standards of practice as much as anything right now, and we'll do that through Thursday. When we put on the pads on Saturday, hopefully they are more confident in what our standards are.
On if spring practices are harder on a new staff or players learning a new system
I think both. I think it's equal. I stopped today, and I was laughing. I'm rusty; I haven't practiced since, I can't remember if we played on a Friday or Saturday down in Mobile. We haven't practiced since then. So, I'm rusty, too. Everything is new for the staff, as well, so I think it's a combination. I think it'll take a few days.
On any additional position changes
Not right now. We may have some, but we'll release it on Thursday.
On balancing the pace of installations on defense
That's a good thought. The offensive similarities are there, for sure. That's probably been on us as much as a staff to say, 'Hey, they used to call it this, we called it this, let's use their terminology from a year ago because it'll be easier for a couple staff members to change than the whole group.' Defensively, it's totally different. I think (defensive coordinator) Vic (Koenning's) doing a nice job of spoon-feeding the install. Basically, we probably did two coverages today, and I thought our guys did a pretty good job of picking it up. I think a lot of it is, and it goes back to this: They are excited about practicing, they are hungry to learn, I think they put in some good amount of time, it looks like to me, especially the defensive players, have put in some good amount of time really studying the teach tapes that our defensive staff made.
On if he got caught up in his new surroundings
To be honest, it's about signals for me. I'll go back, and it'll take me two or three days just to get a flow of signals. I always tell the guys at the start of spring or fall camp, I'm like, 'Listen, everybody is going to make mistakes, and I'll probably make the most.' We'll all get better.
On his first spring practice at West Virginia
It was fun for me. I told you all this in our intro, my favorite time of the year is spring football. What I mean by that is it's all teaching. It's all teaching, and the reason I got into this profession is to teach and be around the guys. You don't have the pressure of getting ready for a game. Don't get it wrong, the game plan piece, playing games, that's why you're in the business at the end of the day. But the teaching part of the spring, it's really pure. You're seeing guys, and I'll give you an example. These redshirt freshmen, you take the receivers for example, like (redshirt freshman wide receiver) Sam James, (redshirt freshman wide receiver) Bryce Wheaton. You saw them a little bit when they scrimmaged last year on Thursday. You watch a little bit of tape, just getting a feel for who they are. Then, you see how much better they look today, more confident. You're just watching guys who haven't been in a role moving up. That's the fun part for me. There's been so many things that go into this transition. So, it's almost like you hit the practice field and say, 'Okay, yeah, this is why I'm here.'
On teaching schemes during spring practice
It's mostly schematics. We're using some things that we did at Troy, and we were able to do that with the rules that allow you to watch some video and meet. But you're still so limited in the winter. You basically have eight hours with the guys, so you're limited. What you do is you post them. We have a system where they go, and they can watch it on their phone or their iPad or whatever. It's mostly schematics
On getting everyone to buy-in during spring
I think it's really about their peers. It's about their peers, and what I'm saying is, it's all about accountability. The staff can get you to so much, but it has to be about player-led accountability as well.
On special teams' coaching assignments
Yeah, we do. I told you, and you're holding it to me. I appreciate that. (Assistant Coach -Inside Linebackers) Blake Seiler will be our special teams' coordinator, and the way we'll do special teams is we basically have a lead on each unit. So, Blake will be the coordinator, and he'll be in charge of the punt team. (Assistant Coach – Outside Linebackers) Al Pogue will be in charge of our punt return unit. (Assistant Coach – Defensive Secondary) Jahmile Addae will lead our (kickoff team), and then, (Co-Offensive Coordinator – Running Backs) Chad Scott will lead our kickoff return. Then, everybody, all 10 assistants have various roles on special teams. It's something we talk about a lot is special teams, and we invest time, we invest energy from using our best players to all of our coaches being actively involved in special teams. But that's how we'll attack it. (Assistant) Coach (Offensive Line) (Matt) Moore will lead the field goal team, and then, (Assistant) Coach (Defensive Line) (Jordan) Lesley will lead the field goal block team. From an assignment standpoint, that's how we'll handle special teams.
On if everybody was ready to go for the first practice of spring
On the field? Yes.
On how much special teams will be worked on during spring
We work technique. We'll work 25 or 30 minutes of special teams every single day. Today, we worked aspects of punt, field goal, field goal block and punt return. Basically, what we'll do is each phase will have a certain number of days, no fewer than nine or 10 of the 15, we'll work each phase through a lot of drills and a lot of technique. To me, we talk about with our players about special teams' technique and effort. Effort is something that we have to demand from coach to player. We have to demand the effort. Then, we have to do a really good job of teaching the technique. So, the goal coming out of team coming out of spring, special teams wise, is you want to identify your personnel. Hopefully, we'll have a two-deep on each unit. You want to develop your techniques. So, we're obviously teaching techniques now, but you want to develop them as you go through. And the last thing is you want a basic, fundamental understanding of your scheme. Obviously, a lot of special teams is game planned from week-to-week, but our base in each phase, we want to have a clear understanding.
On what areas of the team he was most impressed with on day one
I thought the defensive backs really did a nice job. I talked about (redshirt senior cornerback) Keith Washington (Jr.) had a pick, (redshirt senior cornerback Josh) Norwood had a couple pass breakups at corner. I thought they did a really good job in the secondary communicating. So, just watching it live, that was something. That was a group that stood out to me. I thought the young receivers had some moments.
On if the special teams' coaching responsibilities is similar to what he did at Troy
It's very similar. Yes, that's how we did it. We sure did. We had a coordinator that coordinated the whole unit, then each person had a responsibility.
On how the offensive line is adjusting to the staff change
It is super early. It's hard to adjust and evaluate the (offensive) line and (defensive) line until you put the pads on. So, from an assignment standpoint, from an energy standpoint, I thought they did a nice job. But we won't know anything about them until after Saturday's practice.
On how much time he's gotten to spend with the defensive unit
Basically, what I do here early through the first three days, I'm with the offense more so than I am during a normal practice. I take the practice script, and I'm intentional about it. I'm at every single special teams period being involved. Then, I'm intentional about being with the defense at certain points, for sure.
On his overarching goal for this spring
I think it's very similar to what I went through on special teams. You want to I.D. the personnel, make sure you get the players put in the best position. And what I mean by that is that's schematically, and that's actual position that we put them in. Coming out of spring, we know where to put our personnel and the best place for them to be successful and the best scheme for them to be successful. We want to improve fundamentally, then we want to have a good base understanding of the scheme on offense, defense and special teams like we talked about.
On when he knew he wanted to pursue a career in coaching
Going back, I've probably told this, maybe not in a podium setting. Basically, I graduated in December. When I graduated from UMass, I came back and had an advertising job. I was in advertising for probably six (or) seven months. I was very average at it at best, honestly. I had an opportunity to come back to my alma mater, which is the University of Massachusetts, as a GA there in August, and I was working with the offensive line. Within a very short amount of time I said, 'This is what I want to do.'
Opening Statement
Thank you all for being here. Day One, the good thing about Day One is that there will be a Day Two. It'll be better. The weather was great, it's good to get back out on the field with a ball. First practice with these guys, first practice here. There was a lot of enthusiasm. What I appreciate about this group is we probably have 98, 99 percent of these guys that are really trying to do the right thing, and they are bought-in. We have very few people that aren't. And this bunch likes to practice, which is a credit to them. It's like I told them at the end of practice: We have a starting point, there were times today where it wasn't pretty, which is to be expected, they haven't played competitive football going back to the bowl game. So, there were periods that were ugly, there were periods that were really good. I thought there were some guys that redshirted last year that had some moments today.
So, we have a starting point. Now, it's about getting better. We'll come back tomorrow, watch the film, make corrections, come back on Thursday and do it again. Basically what we have right now is a three-day installation on offense, and we're adding stuff each practice defensively. We have another practice on Thursday, and then on Saturday, we have what will be our annual Family Day, where we invite the parents and guardians, immediate family of all the players. They'll be here on Saturday, and we'll go in the stadium for them.
So, with that, I'll take some questions.
On how he plans to install the full offense
Basically what we do is we split it in thirds. We'll install our base offense in three days – that's our base runs, our base screens, base protections, play-action concepts, quick game, deep. We'll install those in three days. We'll try to get our motions in, as well. After that, what we'll do is we'll come back and add our tags, whether it's a run tag, pass tag. The way we're set up offensively is basically have three installs, so Practice Four we'll come back to Day One installs. Practice Five, we'll go back to Day Two. Over 15 (practices), we get five for each install.
On his impressions on the quarterbacks after the first practice
We had so many balls in the air that I'll probably be able to tell you better on Thursday when we talk again how they did. Here's the thing, I think it's hardest in spring ball and the start of fall camp, but especially in spring ball, because they've had a week off. They haven't even thrown going back to probably the Thursday before Spring Break, I think, is the last time the quarterbacks and receivers threw. So, they're all rusty from a timing perspective. It takes a while, pass-game-wise, to get some timing down. But I thought all three did some good things. The defense made a couple of nice plays; (redshirt senior cornerback) Keith Washington (Jr.) had a pick, which was really a nice pick, and he ran it back for a touchdown, so that was a bright spot. But I thought all three of the quarterbacks did a pretty good job. Going back to (redshirt junior quarterback) Jack (Allison), I think he has some confidence. He probably didn't play as well as he wanted to in the bowl game, but he got used to leading the offense. I thought (redshirt junior quarterback) Austin (Kendall) had command, which is difficult to do with a new team. He's less than three months being here, so I thought he had some command. And I thought (redshirt freshman quarterback) Trey Lowe (III) looked improved, just based on some of the practice stuff I saw last fall. I thought he looked improved.
On the importance of showing hustle and energy on the practice field
I'll be honest with you, these first two days especially when we're in helmets, it's really about teaching them what our standards are in practice. We're going to do the exact same practice schedule, different plays, but the exact same practice schedule on Thursday. The hope is it'll be more efficient, the guys will know what to expect – I'm talking from staff, managers, trainers, everybody. It's about teaching them the standards of practice as much as anything right now, and we'll do that through Thursday. When we put on the pads on Saturday, hopefully they are more confident in what our standards are.
On if spring practices are harder on a new staff or players learning a new system
I think both. I think it's equal. I stopped today, and I was laughing. I'm rusty; I haven't practiced since, I can't remember if we played on a Friday or Saturday down in Mobile. We haven't practiced since then. So, I'm rusty, too. Everything is new for the staff, as well, so I think it's a combination. I think it'll take a few days.
On any additional position changes
Not right now. We may have some, but we'll release it on Thursday.
On balancing the pace of installations on defense
That's a good thought. The offensive similarities are there, for sure. That's probably been on us as much as a staff to say, 'Hey, they used to call it this, we called it this, let's use their terminology from a year ago because it'll be easier for a couple staff members to change than the whole group.' Defensively, it's totally different. I think (defensive coordinator) Vic (Koenning's) doing a nice job of spoon-feeding the install. Basically, we probably did two coverages today, and I thought our guys did a pretty good job of picking it up. I think a lot of it is, and it goes back to this: They are excited about practicing, they are hungry to learn, I think they put in some good amount of time, it looks like to me, especially the defensive players, have put in some good amount of time really studying the teach tapes that our defensive staff made.
On if he got caught up in his new surroundings
To be honest, it's about signals for me. I'll go back, and it'll take me two or three days just to get a flow of signals. I always tell the guys at the start of spring or fall camp, I'm like, 'Listen, everybody is going to make mistakes, and I'll probably make the most.' We'll all get better.
On his first spring practice at West Virginia
It was fun for me. I told you all this in our intro, my favorite time of the year is spring football. What I mean by that is it's all teaching. It's all teaching, and the reason I got into this profession is to teach and be around the guys. You don't have the pressure of getting ready for a game. Don't get it wrong, the game plan piece, playing games, that's why you're in the business at the end of the day. But the teaching part of the spring, it's really pure. You're seeing guys, and I'll give you an example. These redshirt freshmen, you take the receivers for example, like (redshirt freshman wide receiver) Sam James, (redshirt freshman wide receiver) Bryce Wheaton. You saw them a little bit when they scrimmaged last year on Thursday. You watch a little bit of tape, just getting a feel for who they are. Then, you see how much better they look today, more confident. You're just watching guys who haven't been in a role moving up. That's the fun part for me. There's been so many things that go into this transition. So, it's almost like you hit the practice field and say, 'Okay, yeah, this is why I'm here.'
On teaching schemes during spring practice
It's mostly schematics. We're using some things that we did at Troy, and we were able to do that with the rules that allow you to watch some video and meet. But you're still so limited in the winter. You basically have eight hours with the guys, so you're limited. What you do is you post them. We have a system where they go, and they can watch it on their phone or their iPad or whatever. It's mostly schematics
On getting everyone to buy-in during spring
I think it's really about their peers. It's about their peers, and what I'm saying is, it's all about accountability. The staff can get you to so much, but it has to be about player-led accountability as well.
On special teams' coaching assignments
Yeah, we do. I told you, and you're holding it to me. I appreciate that. (Assistant Coach -Inside Linebackers) Blake Seiler will be our special teams' coordinator, and the way we'll do special teams is we basically have a lead on each unit. So, Blake will be the coordinator, and he'll be in charge of the punt team. (Assistant Coach – Outside Linebackers) Al Pogue will be in charge of our punt return unit. (Assistant Coach – Defensive Secondary) Jahmile Addae will lead our (kickoff team), and then, (Co-Offensive Coordinator – Running Backs) Chad Scott will lead our kickoff return. Then, everybody, all 10 assistants have various roles on special teams. It's something we talk about a lot is special teams, and we invest time, we invest energy from using our best players to all of our coaches being actively involved in special teams. But that's how we'll attack it. (Assistant) Coach (Offensive Line) (Matt) Moore will lead the field goal team, and then, (Assistant) Coach (Defensive Line) (Jordan) Lesley will lead the field goal block team. From an assignment standpoint, that's how we'll handle special teams.
On if everybody was ready to go for the first practice of spring
On the field? Yes.
On how much special teams will be worked on during spring
We work technique. We'll work 25 or 30 minutes of special teams every single day. Today, we worked aspects of punt, field goal, field goal block and punt return. Basically, what we'll do is each phase will have a certain number of days, no fewer than nine or 10 of the 15, we'll work each phase through a lot of drills and a lot of technique. To me, we talk about with our players about special teams' technique and effort. Effort is something that we have to demand from coach to player. We have to demand the effort. Then, we have to do a really good job of teaching the technique. So, the goal coming out of team coming out of spring, special teams wise, is you want to identify your personnel. Hopefully, we'll have a two-deep on each unit. You want to develop your techniques. So, we're obviously teaching techniques now, but you want to develop them as you go through. And the last thing is you want a basic, fundamental understanding of your scheme. Obviously, a lot of special teams is game planned from week-to-week, but our base in each phase, we want to have a clear understanding.
On what areas of the team he was most impressed with on day one
I thought the defensive backs really did a nice job. I talked about (redshirt senior cornerback) Keith Washington (Jr.) had a pick, (redshirt senior cornerback Josh) Norwood had a couple pass breakups at corner. I thought they did a really good job in the secondary communicating. So, just watching it live, that was something. That was a group that stood out to me. I thought the young receivers had some moments.
On if the special teams' coaching responsibilities is similar to what he did at Troy
It's very similar. Yes, that's how we did it. We sure did. We had a coordinator that coordinated the whole unit, then each person had a responsibility.
On how the offensive line is adjusting to the staff change
It is super early. It's hard to adjust and evaluate the (offensive) line and (defensive) line until you put the pads on. So, from an assignment standpoint, from an energy standpoint, I thought they did a nice job. But we won't know anything about them until after Saturday's practice.
On how much time he's gotten to spend with the defensive unit
Basically, what I do here early through the first three days, I'm with the offense more so than I am during a normal practice. I take the practice script, and I'm intentional about it. I'm at every single special teams period being involved. Then, I'm intentional about being with the defense at certain points, for sure.
On his overarching goal for this spring
I think it's very similar to what I went through on special teams. You want to I.D. the personnel, make sure you get the players put in the best position. And what I mean by that is that's schematically, and that's actual position that we put them in. Coming out of spring, we know where to put our personnel and the best place for them to be successful and the best scheme for them to be successful. We want to improve fundamentally, then we want to have a good base understanding of the scheme on offense, defense and special teams like we talked about.
On when he knew he wanted to pursue a career in coaching
Going back, I've probably told this, maybe not in a podium setting. Basically, I graduated in December. When I graduated from UMass, I came back and had an advertising job. I was in advertising for probably six (or) seven months. I was very average at it at best, honestly. I had an opportunity to come back to my alma mater, which is the University of Massachusetts, as a GA there in August, and I was working with the offensive line. Within a very short amount of time I said, 'This is what I want to do.'
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