Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gregg Brandon Press Conference
March 24, 2006 | Football
March 24, 2006
Opening Statement Regarding Anthony Turner
"Anthony Turner made a serious mistake when he received a citation for possession last week. Discipline that I impose, will be handled internally. Anthony still is subject to additional sanctions from the University and judicial system and I believe it is important that I use this as an opportunity to teach not only Anthony, but our entire team that they are going to be held to a higher standard regarding their actions. Anthony is sorry for his choices and will begin the process of learning from his mistake and moving on."
How exciting is tomorrow going to be compared to August when it is for real?
"Tomorrow will be really exciting because I have a box of Pampers in my office and we will roll out those tomorrow because we will have a minimum of 13-14 new starters."
Is 13 the most starters you have had to replace?
"I don't know about ever, but it is since I have been here. That is exciting. My coaches are a little bit apprehensive because we are going to be so inexperienced at some of the key positions. But hey, they are all fine young men, good football players, and are ready and willing to get after an aggressive schedule in the conference as well as the non-league. Tomorrow is the first day we can get out and throw it around a little bit and do those things. We don't get to put pads on but it is an opportunity to do some team things."
What is the depth chart at QB right now?
"Freddie Barnes and Anthony Turner will compete this spring. Tony Hunter is a walk-on kid in the program that will be involved in the competition. Anthony Turner was a projected starter but he has to earn that spot. He will get some healthy competition from Freddie, Tony and the two young men that we signed who are coming in August. I am looking forward to it because any time you have some new faces it is exciting."
Do you like your schedule next year?
"Yes. I think it is very challenging. I haven't seen it for sure yet. All I know is who we are playing, not necessarily when and where. Wisconsin is still there. We dropped Boise and are going to play them next year."
Are you expecting headaches in the spring due to the new starters?
"It's fun. Any time there is some uncertainty it creates a little bit of anxiety and anytime there is change it creates fear. I look at it as an exciting time. We can see the Sebo Center going up and it is fun watching the steel being placed and it is just a good time to be at Bowling Green."
As a coach, how much do you get out of spring practice?
"We will get a lot out of them this spring because there is so much uncertainty at the positions. Generally what you try to accomplish during spring football is if you have a veteran team coming back then you solidify a couple positions and you get to work with guys as far as schemes on both sides of the ball. This spring will be different. We have to learn to block and tackle. It is about going back to basics. With Omar Jacobs obviously we were further along at quarterback then the guys we have now because they do not have that kind of experience. Defensively we will have four returning starters so it is a very fundamentally orientated spring. The blocking and tackling is something we are going to work on and stress."
What are some things that you dread?
"I would like to end spring football by playing somebody beside us. I am an advocate of that. That would be fun. By the end of spring ball the guys are a little feisty and want to wack somebody else and you have to fight through that a little bit. It is tough to practice without any football gear on. We practice three times in helmets."
How much do you hammer home how your season ended?
"After Omar got hurt we lost a few games and then rallied. We beat Kent and Miami on the road and that was a huge win. We almost got it done against the Rockets. To get that game to double-overtime and have a chance to win, there is a lot of positives from that. But obviously the overall record of 6-5 was a disappointment. We talk about that because we see ourselves as being a championship caliber program and again we were a play away from being in the championship last season. There is a lot of positives and I don't dwell too much on the negatives aside from the fact that we want to be better than 6-5 but that team put themselves in a position to play for a championship and just fell a play short. I have had coaches all over the country who have seen that game say "I love the way your team played. They flew around the field. They hit and were aggressive." We just came up a bit short."
"I am telling this team this is a new time now. This is a new group of guys, a really new group of guys, and it is their time to shine. We have been working since January in our off-season winter conditioning. That has been very upbeat, positive and the kids have been focused that way. We are going into phase two, the second quarter we call it, with spring football and we are excited to crank it up tomorrow."
Do you remind them that two goals were not met last year?
"We have set the goals [the MAC Championship and playing in the post-season] here at Bowling Green and we are just going to strive to meet those. That is the standard we have here. We play for championships and want to play in bowl games."
What about the new facility?
"It is huge. It is definitely something that is needed. It will be a beautiful building. We have been sorely in need of a new facility and this will get us to even par with some of our competitors and it is great that Bob Sebo is stepping up like he is. We have a lot of donors that have stepped up. In fact a former player, Mike Weger just made a donation a few weeks ago. He is just one of many that are a part of this project. It is moving right along and we are excited to be in it in less than a year."
There has been some shifting on the depth chart in the offensive line and is Deaudre Perry back?
"For Drew Nystrom, he is on the left side where he will protect the quarterback, and he is the most experienced tackle that we have. That was a pretty obvious move. Brandon Curtis will be given a chance to play. I think he has a chance to compete to start on the offensive side of the ball. Deaudre is back from a medical condition that he had towards the end of last season. We continue to monitor him and make sure that he is ok and he will be participating in spring drills.
How important will it be for the defense to have Coach Lovett through the spring?
"It is huge. He has been around these kids through an entire season and this is his first spring. This will be an opportunity without so much pressure to get the defense ready. I know he is excited about that and I am too. John is a proven football coach with a great football mind. Hopefully these young guys will step up through these spring practices and in fall camp. We have time in fall camp to continue to develop our defense and we will continue to do that."
Devon Parks, Defensive Line
What are the challenges the defense will have as being the veteran part of the team next year?
"If you look at it from a veterans standpoint you have to first look at we have a lot of young talent coming in that doesn't have a great deal of playing time. So from experience we may not have a lot, but we have will bodies that are very focused and dedicated to not only getting better, but to competing and winning.
Is it frustrating that there will be so many new starters?
"I don't see it as frustrating, I see it as exciting. There are new bodies in there and to be honest with you there are guys that are faster, quicker, stronger than previous years. I see it as an opportunity to raise it to the next level."
How much will this team miss Omar?
"Without a doubt Omar was one the biggest keys in the past couple of years. I don't think you can underestimate the individuals that we have on squad this year."
What are your thoughts on spring practice?
"It will be nice to be outside and put a helmet on with some shoulder pads and start hitting somebody."
What do you think about the back to basics attitude?
"There is nothing wrong with that. You can make it simple and you know what you will have to do. I am looking forward to it. If you can separate any type of thinking in the game of football it is always a good thing because you can work off of instincts and just play with a passion."
Kory Lichtensteiger, Offensive Line
How confident are you in the younger players to fill the void of those who left?
"I am very confident. Obviously we are going to have to see what everybody does once we start practicing. I think confidence is pretty high as far as workouts this winter. Everybody showed that they have what it takes in their hearts as far as training."
How much will Omar be missed?
"Omar is always going to be missed. For me, I played with him for two years and he is the only quarterback I have every really blocked for. In the same sense, we are moving on. At first we were sad to see him leave, but I think everyone will step up to help whoever fills the quarterback position."
What will it be like to not be a favorite in the preseason?
"It will be different, but I like it. Not having anything to live up to and just going out and surprising people will be fun. It is different what I have grown accustomed to so I am excited for it."
What is the attitude of the team?
"Everyone was disappointed last year but it has given us a new sense of purpose. We know what we are shooting for and how much it hurts not to meet goals. That gives everybody a driving force to meet that goal."
