NIU Football 2024 Pre-Spring Press Conference

no all right thanks everyone for being here for our H spring press conference uh it's great to have our spring Sports coaches even though there are many of them well into their Seasons a chance toh give us an update on when things are going especially as we um get a chance to to play at home for some of our Sports and one of those is softball which is supposed to have a home game tomorrow we're crossing our fingers and we have a 12E head coach Christina sliff coach give us a little update on the season so far and what's what's in store for us at home yeah thanks for having me appreciate everybody coming out today um you know we are you know couple dozen games into the season you know when you play 26 games on the road to start your season that can get a little bit grueling so we are definitely really excited to be at home tomorrow against the Paul for our first home opener and then we host k State this weekend um Friday and Saturday so would absolutely love the support uh team is battling we're um we're right there and every game we're currently lower than we'd like to be in the Mac but we had the potential to win every single game that we've been in um so that's just you know some minor fixes that we need to do to kind of chip away at moving back up the the board within the Mac but we're excited about this team we're still a little bit young but we're fast for dynamic um we just again need to uh get a little bit healthier and hopefully we'll be able to get this thing going in the right direction for sure yeah you try to keep it a business as usual as possible it's hard because you've been in such a routine of being on the road that now you come and play at home and that's a completely new routine for them which is really weird because it's a home game right um but when you're on the road you can kind of schedule everything out down to meals down to team meetings down to you know curfew and all that kind of stuff so I think there's different to manage when you're at home for sure but our players love playing on Mary and uh they're looking to defend their home tur for sure and we know we got to Chip Away we got to get down to business and start winning some games here to give ourselves a chance to get into that tournament they've taken their their grind that's for sure uh we're very young in the circle with those that are getting their Innings we're very beat up in the circle as well so that's been a little bit of challenge we haven't had a single weekend where we've had a healthy battery yet uh on the road with us so we're looking forward to kind of getting back and putting that group together but um you know Danielle Stewart is doing a great job for us in the circle and kind of leaning the way as much as she's able to with her restrictions but um the rest just know try to get you know one time through the lineup and pass the ball through for now and so we can grow a little bit of momentum for sure yeah Val ladies yeah we love our Rock Valley players we've got another one coming to us next year so that's definitely an outlet for us Darren goes does an amazing job in that program you know winning national championships so we love uh breeding some Champions here and um you know JT is getting Jenna is getting a lot of time at second for us and has been playing around with that leadoff spot and kind of get her energy if you know her is her her tool for sure um so she gets the game's going in that way and and mty's been fighting for her Innings um on the circle I think she's adjusting to what the difference between uh the Joo level and our level is and can't get away with quite many as many misses as maybe you can a little bit there but um you know she's stepped in she's one of the people that we've needed to rely on um due to the thinness of the staff and she's done she's done a really good job with her growing process and kind of learning on the job mechanics or you're working I think with pitching it's a lot of mental you know it's it's you versus them and from 40 feet away so uh you got to figure out um where to miss when's a good time to miss and and uh how to pitch around you know how can you get the Batters to swing at balls rather than your strik so she's just she's just figuring out how to pitch the game for sure at our level yeah it's just part of being you know Midwest institution so it's just the grind that we're in um you know selfishly I think it's amazing for them because they get to go see some really cool places across the country that if you play in the South you just always play at home and you don't get to have that travel like we took the team to Montana this year got them to see the mountains flew into spok Cam out of Boseman literally saw all the Mountains of Montana were able to do some trails and stuff like that like that experience you know we had some athletes say this is by far top five events I've ever done in my entire life like to be able to give them that experience on top of trying to compete nationally I think it's something unique and special that we get to do so it's a matter of a mindset right yeah they've done a really nice job I mean um Kaylin Shoemaker is about to break our stolen our career stol in base record she broke the single season record last year and she's going to do it uh under three years um she didn't play her freshman year here so that's nice to have her on the bases and her speed of what she can do um but Ellis Erikson is having a breakout year for us um she's either our catcher in center field and you know she's had a great career but she's having a phenomenal senior year for us and it's just really offensively and defensively leading the way for us so um and then you know the rest of them are definitely being role players where we need them and and um really teaching the younger ones the ropes for sure yeah thanks season but now in the heart of the UN American conference schedule so had a big win yesterday at the Nelson Tennis Center which I encourage everyone to come out and check it out if you haven't haven't been there um coach just to give us an update on the on the season so far and what to look for in these next uh the next month or so yeah well you can see I'm wearing my Hardway shirt here today which obviously is a a football thing here but uh I feel like I live it every day of my life with this this team um you know these girls are really battling this year we're we're sitting here 12 and seven uh none of those really have been easy um including the Mid-American Conference uh match is we uh we got off to kind of a tough start we had a lot of momentum going in with our non-conference going in at 11 and six um kind of got tripped up at Ball State in a very tight match 4-3 we actually had a match point in that one didn't close it out same thing with Miami who's been traditionally one of the top teams in the league um three set losses across the board tiebreakers in the third set and we just didn't find ways to close it out and that's kind of been the um that's kind of been our downfall here in the last 2 three years as we're trying to get this program turned around is being able to break through in those tight situations and have the confidence and the belief to do that and and so that's really frustrating but you know our girls are working hard and so yesterday was kind of the same thing okay we were we we were three up three Zer in the match um we lost a couple three setters it goes 3-2 then we lose another one it's 33 we're down 40 in the third set and I'm just sitting there like what what kind of conversation like what can I even say to these girls I mean they're working their butts off every day and and really trying to bring the right energy and right attitude and you know Jenna Jenna horn saves us and and comes back from 40 down and fights off four match points and uh we break through and we get that that first smack win and and so we really feel that hopefully this is the Breakthrough for this team and this program that gets them over the top and gets them believing in these tight matches I mean we we easily could be staying here 3 and0 in in the back today and and feeling really good about ourselves and I think we're feeling good about the way we're competing and the way we're playing and fighting uh we just boy we'd really like to be three and0 right now but you know we'll take that Western win any day I think that's only the third win we've ever had against them so uh we're really excited to get that and and in the way we did it was just unbelievable but I I feel like I've added about 10 years to my life so far this year so um yeah our doubles has been great this year I mean we um you know I know through experience that the doubles point is critical in these matches and um you know I my best teams over the years were were averaging getting that doubles point maybe 80 85% of the time well we're we're right at about 68 % right now which is up from last year um probably should be a little higher we there's a couple of doubles points we didn't close out one of them being Miami um but if we can get up into that 80 to 85 uh range in um in doubles points I think we we'll see the the program jump and we're already up two doubles points this year and and that's accounted for two extra wins uh through 19 matches compared to last year um we're playing a much more aggressive brand of doubles um everyone's just a little bit more sure of themselves out there and and um confident in making moves at the net um we've been able to stick with our pairings a little bit more so they're getting a little bit more familiar together so it's been great this year it's been a real breakthrough probably uh one of the biggest positives for us this year yeah it's it's a great place for us I mean it's got a ton of space great seating for the fans um our kids don't have to drive up to Rockford I mean we would be up at Rockford and there literally be maybe like one person there to watch them and now now their friends can come their other student athletes can come parents can come I mean it's just it's a great home court for us um and it it really showcases our tennis programs it it it brings a another level of professionalism to to what we're trying to do and what we're trying to accomplish here and then we added some streaming this year so now people can watch our matches you know wherever they are and we have a lot of international kids so um their parents are able to to watch those matches and follow and see see what all is going on yeah we um they they've seen it all and I think they most of most of what they bring is experience to the team and kind of you know they can talk to the younger players a little bit about their experiences and kind of where this program was before and and where it's going um and you know we've had you know some of them have battled injuries and that's they've dealt had some adversity they've had to overcome but you know the Young younger players can learn from seeing people and how they deal with those those type of things and um and so I think in that sense they've been really good leaders for the team and uh I think they'll they'll say when they leave here that they they made this a lot better than it was when they got here yeah I mean she's really broken through and um you know and the thing to remember about her is I mean she's really done this in three and a half years because of of the co year I mean we didn't even have fall tennis her freshman year so she she got in late from Russia as it was because of you know just trying to get out of the country with all the restrictions and uh and got here a little bit late but we didn't have a false season that year and she's been able to to accomplish uh being second on our alltime wins list both singles and doubles combined and then also with singles and mean she's behind Nell Ule who I mean obviously was a great player here um a few years back and was you know Mac player of the year that kind of player and um so to be in in the uh in the same sentence with her U it's it's a big accomplishment for her and I mean we play tough schedules we're playing a lot of power fives we're playing a lot of top mid- major teams and this conference is is crazy good and um and for her to do what she's done it's been amazing Lu update us on what's going on as we enter into the heart of the outdoor track season here including a very big event coming to the Cal in May St hi thank you for having me um we've had a little bit of a Murphy's Law type of season coming from from indoors um what what people don't see is the eight people or the eight bodies that we had sitting at home um or somewhere else due to unforced things so now we're in the the part of the Season where we're trying to get bodies back on the track so that we can really prepare for this outdoor season we have a very competitive schedule um we head uh to Texas relays and uh Texas state next week then from there we'll go to Miami um we have siou we'll go to Drake Relays um Illinois and then um the 9th through the 11th we actually host the outdoor Mac championships so trying to get the ladies confidence back up um trying to get the girls that have been injured back onto the track uh trying to make sure that mentally we're we're toughening up um so that we can be prepared to put on uh a great performance here at home we're still going to be missing um a couple of people well not a couple a few few people that we know could have been um contenders uh in in certain events but we got to regroup from that and get prepared to to battle the rest of this outdoor season um honestly right now it's it's it's been really challenging um when I tell you we've had uh bodies not there that I mean the beginning of the Season we literally thought we were going to make a run for it um but the ru portal um mid year um through a couple of athletes that were supposed to come midye that one couldn't pass the TOEFL the other one um couldn't get her visa you know those were scores um we have a couple of compliance things that we're working on with two ladies that are on the roster that are scores so all of those things literally like eight to nine bodies that should have been on the track indoors that were not there there were still fighting to get them back Outdoors so we have the numbers 14 is the is the number we have to have but I need 14 competitive numbers and that's where we're trying to get Outdoors yes sir yes she is a an athlete with a lot of spunk and a lot of confidence you know so um when you walk in the door as a freshman and you believe you can do it and you hang on what the coach says it makes it a whole lot easier to culture um every day every practice you know I'm not saying that she doesn't have some bad days but she's looking to make herself better um and she's always doing it with a smile so when she gets out there and it's time for her uh to compete uh the lights go on and and it's showtime for her um the rumor is is is that she say she wants to be like coach tberry so um I told her I'm pushing her she's in my event so I'm I'm pushing her to be just that so we're hoping um you know through indoors she had a couple of um U math athlete the week nominations and she was the Freshman performer of the indoor meet she got second um at indoors and and now we've set our Heights on something bigger um we're going to go to Texas relays and she's actually going to compete there one of two that will compete at Texas relays the rest will compete at Texas State the opening height is 170 you know so we've been working on being prepared to come in at that height and then we still have the other meat that we'll compete in as well um but we are looking at you know even if it's just to see the Olympic trials get there so that in the next years you know she's a to do some damage hopefully and make a team yes yeah we got to get Skyland blue back on the track she's a ma champion of course the meat before the indoor MAC Championship she was trying to stop at Illinois State because it was a quick stop between the finish line and the wall and she strained her her quad so we're trying to get her back on the track Malia Watkins has been doing an awesome job um she got second indoors in the 200 um add that other 40 MERS to that 100 you know I think she's going to be dangerous there and people don't know she can actually run the four she won't let me put her in it but she can run that 400 so even if she's a viable leg on that 4x4 I think we'll gain some some valuable points there um we also have Kamaya dindy who also scored she was a transfer in um in the high jump as well um so another young lady that did a great job um tayia Saunders Sanders is coming back um indoors didn't go so well but she's healthy again now she's training hard she actually got second Outdoors um at the Mac championships and then we have Rochelle Ro who also scored in the 400 um if everything goes okay we're adding uh Georgia feno who's a javelin thrower um she was still working on some compliance things but her marks right now with score uh in the conference um and then we're also adding um Zamora Malone um coming off of injury as well um that should be a viable threat you know at the conference meet you know it's it's been a a blessing and a curse a more of a blessing um but we have had a couple that um got here and then got homesick for whatever reason um but for us I I think the maturity coming in has been a difference in the team um making sure that we're we're recruiting the right ladies from the portal um that can come in understand the Mac understand the coaching staff and what we're looking for our expectations and and willing to buy into that you know the portal sometimes can be a challenge when you've had a coach especially for two or three years you're used to doing things you know one way and there's there's a lot of roads to Rome so that athlete being able to buy in what you're trying to teach them um you know to get them to where they need to be as far as putting points on the board no this is this is huge it's huge this will be my second time hosting um i' I've always been a person that that would say track and field you know you're you're lucky if your grandma's sitting in the stands especially with some of the events that are so early um the schedule has been moved back so um people can get off of work and come on Thursday um friends uh colleagues um other student athletes will be able to watch them you know we're one of the further schools out from the M conference um for track and field and so now you know professors uh like you said friends parents will be able to watch them do what they do you know and hopefully that helps them shine and we we can get some great points out of that but this is going to be a big deal for us um I think the um facilities have been have been upgraded and and we're looking you know to make sure we make this a great experience not just for our student athletes but for the entire MC conference yes sir um well coming off of indoors it was awful was wonderful um no just getting the opportunity to work with athletes that you sometimes you just see on TV and you just don't really know what their personalities you know were I mean every single athlete was just so down the Earth and and receptive and um it was nice to watch them do their job you know this is this is their job this is how they make their Liv um so actually being able to be a part of that and being a part of a US team with the professionals um it was something that I'll never forget so the goal is you know I've gotten to the world indoor team now my goal is to be an Olympic Athlete and be an Olympic coach so I'm striving for that and and working with those athletes made it that much more special you know to have it as a goal because it's something that I really enjoyed thank you also looking for to ass at the.com and sign up thank you T first baseball head coach Ryan Copeland joins us and also looking forward to uh getting your team seeing them at home as well here few we yeah uh thanks for having me we were supposed to play at home this past weekend and that didn't work out some snow and some cold in the forecast so we're on the back end of a stretch where we're uh seven straight weekends on the road uh mixing four midweeks in there and it's 28 straight uh just like coach s Cliff so uh we're used to that up here it is what it is and uh we're excited to be back home uh we had a very challenging start to our season went down to abene uh Texas pry pretty powerful mid major down there uh end up going to LSU competed down there cincin so back toback SEC Big 12 weekend so it was a breath of fresh air once we hit Mac play a couple weekends ago so um you know right now we're sitting at the top half of the Mac we're five and four in conference play uh We've matched our Mac win total from last year with uh with six weekends to go so we're uh we're definitely building we're excited about where we're at uh but we're nowhere near where we need to be moving forward so um I I really like what we're doing in conference play but we do have to be better midweeks those have been tough for us on our depth and uh we're a little little limited uh right now with with with our pitching staff but uh some guys have to step up and uh we have to keep getting better so uh we have a midweek game tomorrow at Northwestern we'll battle the elements once again and then uh we we'll get on the bus on Wednesday uh to Toledo and wrap up this this uh this stretch of 28 straight on the road our our conference weekend's moved up this weekend because of Easter Sunday so uh we'll have a nice Sunday off hopefully after a series win at Toledo and then look forward to uh to playing in front of you all at home a lot line see what yes I think if you pay attention to uh to our games at all and check the box scores it feels like it's a different lineup every single game that's not a great feeling as a coach uh but I think we're in a unique situation where we are trying to figure things out on the go about our players about our our team um what makes them tick uh what doesn't and I think they're also doing the same with us as well so uh we don't have a true leadoff guy we don't have a true two four five uh we we've used a variety of lineups just trying to find the one that seems to fit um our team the most at that time so uh yeah we'll keep doing that until we figure something out offensively we've been a little inconsistent um but I think that just goes with us being in our first year so we'll keep trying to uh you know write different lineups give some guys some different opportunities until we can figure out what's best for us to put our guys in the best chance to win a game yes we're getting there on the mound for sure uh and like I said in the opener uh we're definitely not where we need to be uh you know we need to we need to be more talented for sure but uh I think our guys are doing a great job buying into what we're asking them to do we we pitch a lot of guys if you look at our stat sheet there's there's a lot of names on that list especially when you look at other teams in our league and in division one baseball so uh as of right now we're leading the Mac in conference only uh er uh by by a wide margin that's something that uh very proud of and uh and that that's a great adjustment we've made since our some struggles early on as well so uh yeah I have a pitching background I'm a pitching guy at heart uh and that needs to be a strength of our program moving forward our weekend starters with with Tai uh Brock bill being a Freshman he's been outstanding uh Adam Brower is a guy I brought uh with me from from Springfield who's been really really good especially since we had conference play and we're still trying to get a little more consist consistency out of Tommy Meyer he's be our best arm in terms of overall Talent uh we just got to keep him in the zone a little bit more but like I said uh when it comes to our Bullpen and in our midweek games we do need to be better but uh there has been some really good signs lately of some guys stepping up in the bullpen we got do Dominic Han back uh a couple weeks ago he closed out our win yesterday over Miami Ohio uh so again we're trying trying to figure some things out as we go put guys in different positions and uh see if uh if we can make it work uh but if we keep getting good starts from those three weekend guys we're going to have a chance to win a lot of games in the Mac uh I would say we turned quite a bit especially when uh you look at uh the dynamic of and the landscape of College athletics when a new coach comes in typically you'll have an entire uh overhaul of the roster we didn't have that especially offensively we returned a lot of position players um so know we have a lot of returners I believe we'll end up having 15 guys graduate you know one walk on senior day uh for us so uh we brought in uh 133 13 players we able to expand our roster from 35 to 40 with the new rule uh you permitted by the NCAA and we'll stay there moving forward as well uh so a good mix and I think you're always a little concerned about how those guys are going to mesh and and get along but um I'm really really happy with uh where we're at from a from a chemistry standpoint with those guys getting along playing together playing for each other uh but yeah we brought in 13 new guys and uh yeah it's been it's been really really good and I think when you can walk that fine line as a new coach of having some returners with experience that uh know know how things have been you can get feedback from them as a first year head coach and and also try to implement a lot of the things you want to do as a as a head coach moving forward it's been a good mix for Uso yeah we're we're going to try to dominate the state of Illinois uh that was something that that uh I was was very important to me you know during the interview process back in June uh we want to be able to recruit every division one school in the state of Illinois and we'll Branch out when we need to especially with regards to the transfer portal in junior college we'll get a little more creative and Branch out but uh everything we need from a talent perspective is right here in our backyard we're going to make sure we do everything we can to land local talent um so trying to figure it out it's an interesting League uh you we open up at Ohio uh won a series against them and and really uh we're a few things away from taking you know taking a sweep there and uh I think you you're you're trying to figure out where they stand where you stand every single weekend and then they go out and take two out of three from from Kent State who was a regional team last year obviously a Powerhouse in terms of baseball and the ma so um it it's good I think uh when we play a really tough non-conference schedule that's always going to be an advantage uh the game should hopefully slow down a little bit um and by no means are we going to take the Mac lightly it's a very good Baseball Conference uh but the fast balls tend to be a little bit slower the bat speed from the opposing hitters is a little bit slower as well and uh you can get away with a little bit more but uh it's tough uh people are well prepared they know the league they know how to win in this league and us again being on the road as much as we have has been a disadvantage but um you we like where we're at right now and uh I think until I get through our our first season as a coaching staff through the Mac I probably won't have a great answer for you so I'll get back to you in June yes well I think uh if you look at the trajectory of our program um those are games that we hope to win at some point and uh not just go compete not just go play tough uh I want this program to get to a point where we truly expect to go win those games and um and and I hope our guys felt that way going into those games so uh when you go play a program like LSU the Pinnacle College baseball Alex boox stadium in front of you know 11 12,000 people it's a great experience for our guys uh to come out of there knowing that we can compete with uh you know some of the best players in the country um is encouraging for sure i' I've Loved how tough we've been uh I've Loved how we've been able to bounce back I think yesterday's win was a good indication of that after dropping two tough games well played games against Miami mean be able to shut them out and get a win on getaway day um it's all lined up to allow us to go compete in the Mac for sure so uh got the win at Cincinnati we competed against abene they've been knocking on the door of of a of a regional appearance for the last uh couple years now uh but yeah at the end of the day we want to be able to schedule those opponents feeling like we're going to go down there and win a series but it has been a great experience for our guys and I think it has allowed us to uh to slow things down once we hit conference play a few weekends ago you I appreciate it thank you okay obviously Co wow six year that's why I got this long stuff in my face it's like it's like uh I'm seasoned season yes it's just it's for it's for now you know it's just to show the maturity you know hopefully I can act a little more mature yeah yeah coach talk to us about the spring football that under yeah no it's good um obviously uh you know we we start spring this uh this week uh started meetings this morning it was excellent to see um you know we start each each day with with a special teams meeting and uh so today we started with special teams why special teams are important uh we had about 60 guys in there and uh it was it was interesting because things you forget about uh over the course of the season but the last we ended the season on a three- game winning streak um but special teams played a direct role in each game uh from DNE Partridge having a punt return uh touchdown against Western Michigan tave Sanders creating a a cause fumble uh the first kickoff of the second half against Kent to uh Canon obviously with his Sports Center type play of of of taking a a fake field goal to the house for touchdown and so we really wanted to emphasize the importance of special teams we feel like we really have a deep team and a lot of depth on our team we got 97 guys uh going through practice uh this spring which is by far the most we've ever had uh and so it's very competitive to get on on the bus uh and the easiest way uh is through special teams and we want to make sure um that that's part of it you know for us you know uh we are deep into the preparation and process of of building our football team um but for us it started uh in December uh in December we put together a schedule and a plan of how we want to maximize uh the B prep uh I thought we did that I thought you know we were able to get almost another spring uh practice uh in U before we played that game obviously to win that game uh in that momentum um but something that I learned uh after the 21 season when we won the championship you can't just jump these guys back into training um from a health and safety standpoint so we backed things up obviously our Spring ball is starting a lot later than what we've have and and that was strategically done because we played a game uh December 23rd we gave them a little more time off at the beginning of January uh to to make sure that they can fully recover uh and from a health and safety standpoint our guys are stronger they're faster uh they're more explosive uh our strength staff has done a phenomenal job juny and Jason and the rest of those guys uh in the strength staff as far as getting our team where they need to be from a uh a development standpoint we have the fastest team we have the most explosive team uh we've had here guys have increased their 40s taken two10 of a second off uh they they've increased their bral jumps increased their board jumps and so guys are really in a good spot uh from that standpoint then we took time to evaluate our schemes uh obviously uh if you're not getting better uh you're getting worse uh so we wanted to make sure that we had time to evaluate our schemes defensively uh we were a top 25 defense last year uh coach benardo and his staff uh having our whole defensive staff back together for for another year to continu that it brings allows us to be a a step ahead as far as our development and the plan of how you know how can we become a top 20 defense and I think uh that the our defensive staff has done a great job looking at schemes looking at NFL tape uh finding ways that we can be better on defense knowing that you know we got nine starters returning on defense so uh there's a lot of competition there's a lot of experience there's a lot of depth uh and then offensive we did the same thing obviously coach pona uh you know to be his first four offseason in charge of the offense has done a phenomenal job uh getting the staff on the same page we we've hired a new offensive line coach coach meals he's come in he's picked it up uh right away been able to start teaching the guys uh obviously we on the field with them tomorrow but um just from the the the scheme our schemes will be uh better it'll be different uh we will maximize our Personnel to the best the best that we can um but the thing that we look at for this spring is you know offensively we have we have an opportunity to practice against the top 25 defense uh in the country every single day uh and so that's going to allow us uh to be better uh in that standpoint I know everybody wants to talk about the quarterback position uh you know kind of where I'm at with the quarterback position I'm in no hurry uh to name a quarterback uh I think we have a really good team around the quarterback um so for us uh we want to make sure we give these guys every opportunity to show what they are what they can do how they can operate um how they can build uh the chemistry on offense uh and one thing we're not going to do we're not going to look in the rear viw mirrror uh you know what you've done in the past doesn't matter it's about what you're doing now uh to help move us forward uh as a football team and I think offensively uh you know we got a lot of pieces uh we added some nice pieces at at the wide receiver position at the tight end position uh I feel like our offensive line will be strong uh and give the quarterback every opportunity our quarterback will be live this spring um you know he they will get hit uh so we can figure out exactly what they are uh in those type of settings and situations um it' be a great opportunity for us to evaluate those guys and then uh build upon that in the spring so uh certainly excited about where we are uh you know one thing about our team and our you know she she you know Donna mention year six but also I've had an opportunity to grow with these guys uh we are a player Le team at this point um any any situations any type of things that come up I I'm leaning on our players and they've done a a great job this offseason uh minimizing uh distraction so we can be all pulling in the same direction uh and have a great opportunity to be as good as we can be this year want to accompl want to take yeah you know I think number one you want to stay healthy right uh you want to be very very competitive each and every single day um you know we we are going to attach a team to each practice uh so they understand the focus uh they understand what it takes you know we're not just practicing to be practicing we practicing with a purpose um but we want to stay healthy we want to stay competitive we want to you know uh to me what I told our players is uh guys are fighting for position you're not fighting to be a started right now you're fighting to get yourself in position uh and then we'll evaluate you in the summer and then we'll evaluate you in in Fall camp but really you want to be in position uh to have a chance to number one get on the bus uh to have a chance to make plays uh on the grass so um you know the big thing this spring is is to you know stay healthy uh make it as competitive as possible make sure they understand what it takes to win uh make sure our standards and expectations of how we practice uh can carry us through and then continue to develop uh the leadership on our football team you know we got 33 seniors so um I think I wouldn't be very smart if I didn't take a similar approach now we're going to do things a little bit differently uh last year we went ABC groups we did three different groups this year uh we won't quite uh go three groups um but what I talk to our coaches about is is finding guys that that are above the line uh and guys that are above the line mean they have an opportunity uh to play uh winning football for us and so as we start to find more and more guys uh we got to get those guys in position uh and and work those guys as much as possible uh to make sure that they ready for the first game and that's that's what we're trying to do this year maybe a couple deping strength game you know I'm I'm really not looking to play two quarterbacks uh I'm really looking for a guy to separate himself um I think we have some quality guys in our program they've done a great job this offseason uh they from learning the offense to having routes with the receivers and the backs and the tight ends and all those different things uh so I'm not looking for a platoon system I'm looking for a guy to separate himself and so that's why we want to take as much time as as as needed with the understanding that when we make a decision of who's the quarterback that's the guy we're going to go go with um and and try to go through the highs and lows of whatever comes with it but number one they got to protect the football okay we we got a good defense we got a good run game we got good receivers your job is to protect the football the ball is the program uh and if if they can show that and show the ability to make plays in in critical situations on third down in the red zone that will give us a chance to win yeah I mean you know Kenny's in it uh it's a bunch of guys in it right now um you know what we talked about was you know getting to a certain practice where we can uh focus on a certain group of guys um but at the beginning everybody has opportunities we've seen them all offseason we've seen them progress we've tested them uh we met with them uh we've done a bunch of different things from a quarterback standpoint in a quar qub back training to put them in position now they got to go out there and start making plays uh starting tomorrow so um you know I don't think it's fair to name one guy and not everybody else uh because to me they all at the same level right now and then we'll start to see tomorrow Who start to separate themselves um you know he's a guy you know we've tested all our guys he he runs well enough uh had throw with good anticipation um has a good understanding of uh he processed the the field quickly um you know I think he was 30 to two uh touchdown to interception ratio which is phenomenal uh so we'll start to see like I said when you have a top 25 defense that you're practicing against you know that's like a game every every day so starting tomorrow we'll we'll start to see when when people are flying around and you got the dline coming after you how do you react uh in real time situations no um you know we have a plan of of of how we're going to divide the Reps from the standpoint of you know um we have one guy may take all you know that day one guy may take certain SE segments of practice and then we'll rotate it accordingly uh depending on how they're developing how they're progressing uh things that they're showing on tape and if they can obviously you know you make a mistake not make the same mistake twice uh and then try to move forward from there you know I think I think quarterback is the one position where the person matters right uh everybody can look good throwing on seven on seven and all those different things but until you got a dine and barreling down on you how are you going to respond how you going to react so we going to try to put those guys in as many situations as possible in game likee situations uh from the standpoint of they can be hit so you understand what it's going to feel like and what type of decision making do you make at that time we lost two starters where on the offensive line what was it what's the second one oh okay I'm I'm good with that um no to me I look at it we you know uh you look at our offensive line Evan malore started games for Us JJ lipia started games for us uh Logan sherit will be our Center he started he's a multiple year starter uh John champ is a multiple year starter and Evan bus is a multiple year starter so uh I know we lost a couple guys Nolan and then obviously Pete um but we feel like we we got five starters returning the way I look at it uh because all five those guys have started games started multiple Seasons uh so we feel like you know our office will ly to be the strength I think coach Ms has done a great job coming in getting to know those guys understanding where they at things that we've done up until this point and then finding creative ways to to kind of add add to it of you know what he would like to see um but when we looked at our schemes I thought it was some things that we uh need to be better at uh in the Run game uh in a protection game uh and and we were trying to implement those things to get better talk about how important practices were team I'm sure you don't recruit guys thinking at some point may have change positions you mentioned Logan moving to Center and even a success story like Jaden dolphin moving from defensive back to playing inside the box as a linebacker I'm sure a lot of us are waiting to see what Justin lnch will do in a full season at running back is that just part of your recruiting where you know you can find guys that just want to play football and will you know if they get approached with a decision like that but they'll just take it because they want you know uh you know position flexibility is a is a huge thing for our program uh I think we have a lot of good players in our program uh if you're not willing to uh you know find a a position where you can have a chance to impact the team more um you know that says something about the player um but we look for guys with the flexibility that can play different positions uh we've had success moving guys around and uh guys uh increasing their value as a player um and we will continue to do that uh if we we feel like it's the best interest of our football team yeah you know I think he's had a a good off season um you know he's done a great job coming in our program I know he's right down the road that's why you asked that question uh but like Garrett I think he works his tail off um you know he's in a he's in a tough position group uh so to me he he's got to get with Coach Brushy and and see if he can find a way on on special teams and that that could be his value to our football team yes well he's got a lot of competition um so you know you got antario brown back Gavin Williams back jayen po back and Lynch but we're gonna find some ways to get Lynch on the field uh and and and try to uh play to his strength uh he does a great job uh running the ball does a great job blocking does a great job receiving he's a four core special teams guy so you know although he may not be the feature uh guy back there he's going to he's going to bring a lot of value very similar to uh Clint rakovic uh and different things we can do with him in different situations we can play him as well as be a quarterback or do things at the quarterback position not being a quarterback but put him in there in Wildcat situation so uh he's a valuable piece to our offense we have to find creative ways uh to get them out there our coaches have been working on that you may see some uh situations where there's two backs out there you know that that'll be new for us um you know because we feel like we got a strong back feel and those guys need to play more yeah I mean I think it's fantastic for the fans I'm getting a lot of ticket requests uh but you know for us is about getting better this spring and and we got a long time between now and then and we actually have a game before and so you know we'll focus on the spring we'll let the fans focus on Notre Dame and then when we get to that game we'll be ready to play yeah no what you talking about West Illinois yeah I'm glad to play them you know would love to play uh some other Illinois schools if they want to play us but uh I guess we'll save that conversation for another date yeah I think you know for for me no stress you know it's been uneventful those guys have come in here learned our culture learn how to work learn how to conduct themselves uh and they they' worked extremely hard to get to this point uh we have some really talented players that that we were able to bring in midy year um and so to me tomorrow it starts the evaluation as far as them as football players but as people great people great families uh tremendous workers uh have come in and done a nice job like I said no names on the list uh you know I'm I'm very pleased with the guys we we've been able to add now tomorrow we'll start to see what they can do in the football field that you know there might be greener grass out there but you want to stay here than I do yeah I think you know uh number one uh we we talk all the time about how we treat the players right we we're going to treat them as men we're going to respect them we're going to make sure they they taken care to the best of our ability whether that's having them over to the house for meals or taking them out or whatever we going to we going to make the experience as best as we can make it at NIU and I think that's our players feel that they feel a relationship and you can't put a value on that um I I I will say this you know everybody that plays college football wants to play right uh and so don't go somewhere and be somebody's backup for a couple dollars that doesn't make sense to me uh and then with my coaches you know I tell them all the time if you got an opportunity that you feel like uh helps your family you should take it um but you know you won't be treated better or uh valued more than a place like this and it's amazing how many coaches that was here calling me back and I wish you know well yeah that that happens that's life um I think we got a good thing going here uh I love being around our players they keep me young uh they keep it fresh and uh you know I'm anxious to watch these guys practice getar you know I think you know for us we're we're very open and honest about how we recruit what we look for uh the type of fit we look for um and and so you know we have those conversations if you're looking for that uh you need to look somewhere else but if you're looking for an opportunity people that's going to treat you right that's going to help you grow and develop uh that's going to hold you accountable and all those things uh then NIU is the place for you I got I got a daughter who's a you know probably a division one lacrosse uh lacrosse player and I don't want somebody talking to her about things that don't matter I want them talking to her about things that matter getting your degree holding holding her accountable making sure she get her grades right and helping her develop as a person are the think that's important to me and that's kind of how we how we run our program you know three things we talk about and I talked to the pledge about this last week is trust honesty and accountability uh number one they have to trust us and we have to trust them uh which allows us to have honest conversations which then ultimately allows us to hold them accountable uh and they know that you know we're not going to just tell them what they want to hear we're going to tell them what they need to hear and I think they they trust that they parents trust that uh we spend a lot of time as coaches uh talking to our players but also making sure we we have open lines of communication with the parents uh keeping them involved actively involved parents are always welcome to practice um because it it I think it enhances the experience of everybody involved and so uh for us uh a lot of guys come to my office with different things uh the theme today was uh face mask on the helmets so I guess this is a new thing uh they got all these different face masks with different bars things you you wouldn't think is important but it's important to the player so I said okay we got to find a way to make sure we can get you these face mask with the bars um but those things to me I think enhance the relationship uh enhance how guys feel about the program and allow them to work harder so man I didn't know nothing about this I thought you just get the helmet and you put your helmet on but now they must got different designs so you know we'll make sure we have something in place to uh you know make sure guys can have an opportunity to get a whatever they want uh the equipment guy just came to me this morning with it I said man that that's not on my radar but I guess I'll think about it now how much yeah you know uh Canon he's in Roc right and so I saw him running the other day they must have had a two mile time run and I said hey man you didn't look any near anywhere near as fast as you looked in our bowl game so we we got to make sure we we training those fast fibers uh to get you where you need to be good yeah I want to mention the Spring Showcase April 27th I'm I'm anticipating great weather uh I think we backed it up enough uh you know I know soccer he he he wanted the indoor the other day I I thought you know soccer's played outside you know but uh that's a shot I shouldn't have did that I shouldn't have did that but no hopefully it's nice weather and we get a nice turnout appreciate you guys thank you very no problem thank you have a good one for