New Assistant Coach Press Conference
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 6:30 AM PST
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PrintSark unveiled his revamped coaching staff to the media yesterday. All the new coaches did a nice job answering questions and you can tell why they are such highly regarded recruiters. All these guys are incredible polished...in other words nobody was answering questions laced with repeated "awesomes".
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times put together some great one and one video with all the new coaches.
Sound Bites
Sark says has followed Justin Wilcox since he was at Boise State and was glad to be able to hire a coach with Northwest ties. (This is a guy who has future head coach written all over him)
He says Sirmon is a great fit because of the years spent with Wilcox and his playing experience in the NFL. He went on to say that he was hard worker and a great recruiter. Sirmon says that Washington is the best program on the west coast and the new facilities will cement that.
Justin Wilcox says the hiring process really did happen as quickly as it looked on paper. The deal was done within two days of first call.
Sark says he loved the way Keith Heyward's secondaries played at Oregon State. Heyward said leaving OSU was tough but to continue growing as a coach he had to make a move. Keith says that he wants his guys to play aggressive and not play scared.
Sark said that he and Kiesau are a good fit because they are philosophically similar. Sark will continue to call the plays on gameday but Kiesau says that doesn't bother him. He said that Sark closed the deal to obtain his services at three in the morning.
Sark said that Tosh Lupoi has been a big thorn in his side from a recruiting standpoint. He said that that Tosh was an exceptional DL coach in addition to being a great recruiter.
You could tell that leaving Cal was a tough decision for Lupoi who said that the timing could have been better. It took him a couple of weeks to make up his mind. Asked about getting a boat, Lupoi says "I haven't been on that boat. Maybe a canoe.''
Sark confirmed that WR Kevin Smith tore an ACL. He could be ready by camp because it will be within the usual nine month recovery period.
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Spring Practice Dates
The coaches are going to run spring practice over four weeks this year culminating with the spring game on Saturday the 28th. I am not sure where they are going to be having it but I imagine the likely location would be Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center which was used last season.
4/2 - Mon
4/4 - Wed
4/6 - Fri
4/9 - Mon
4/11 - Wed
4/13 - Fri
4/14 - Sat
4/16 - Mon
4/18 - Wed
4/20 - Fri
4/21 - Sat
4/23 - Mon
4/25 - Wed
4/27 - Fri
4/28 - Sat (Spring Game)
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Kevin Smith tore his ACL?
I wasn’t aware of this. He is a burner and will be missed. Even if he is ready for the season, he will not have the same explosiveness. He is a good returner and could be a good receiver. This hurts.
Shaq is a good bet
They will be looking for ways to get the ball in his hands.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 7:32 AM PST up reply actions
Hall
I recall hearing that Hall is an explosive return man. If he can handle the pressure of returns and not have Sankey like drops we could also see him.
Sankey had one fumble
It doesn’t mean that he is fumble prone.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
Oh no, I agree
Sankey could do it. He is very explosive. I actually think he is going to be a big time weapon for us on offense this season.
by datboyeddiep on Feb 9, 2012 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
He is
Re-watched his film last night, and the kid can move. He’ll definitely get a look as the return man.
by TualatinDawg on Feb 9, 2012 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Incoming 4 star freshman Jaydon Mickens is supposed to be an excellent returner.
I’m sure he’ll get a chance at it too.
by Mind of no mind on Feb 9, 2012 12:14 PM PST up reply actions
Hall and Mickens is who i'd check first
Yes Shaq is a excellent football player but I want to see him master his position before they start tossing him all around the field.
On K. Smith
I hope we can RS him and let him really heal up, or has he already used his RS year? WR is one position still where we still have decent depth and quality.
Kevin Smith
We have not burned Smith’s RS yet. He will be a true junior this fall. I think red-shirting him is probably what Sark will end up do.
I doubt it...
It takes nine months to recover so he should be ready to play by the time the season starts. The only way he ends up red shirting is if he has setbacks or complications.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 8:05 AM PST up reply actions
9 months is the best case.
He might be medically cleared, but he won’t be anywhere near ready to actually play. They might not redshirt him, but it would likely be because they feel like there’s someone down the line to take his spot.
He won't have the same explosiveness
I hope he comes back ready to roll. We still have Cody Bruns, he redshirted last year. I really like him, very good hands! Smith being injured does suck.
When did he get hurt?
by datboyeddiep on Feb 9, 2012 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
During practice in December
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
I think it was OSU game on a K O Return? Sucks...big!
Bruns is an X-Factor…Exellent Senior leadership, with Wes Welker-like role potential. Kevin Smith will be a “wait and see” decision and while we hope he can go 100% by game time…redshirting for a full year plus of healing makes the most sense..plus he’ll be able to study the game more in depth for a much better return to full contact-ready status! Finding an even better K.O.Returner shouldn’t be a big problem with all the speed/skill on the roster..
I was thinking Paul Skansi/Dane Looker but yeah.
It’s not like we’re not deep at the position so I’d err on the side of caution.
by hairofthedawg on Feb 9, 2012 6:32 PM PST up reply actions
For a WR/KR guy,
it will probably take closer to a full year to really get speed and cutting ability back, though it does depend on the severity of the damage.
A decision wouldn’t have to be made until September, so it makes sense to see how it goes, but if there is any evidence of needing more time to get full speed back, using that red-shirt would make a lot of sense for both the player and the team.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
Keisau's quote:
If there was one negative, me not calling the plays, I don’t want that to deter me from being part of something special. I have no ego in this deal. Yes, I want to call the plays, I love calling the plays. Calling plays on gamedays is an adrenaline I wish everybody could feel at some point. But I’m not going to let that hinder my decision if that’s the only thing that is a negative of the job, I can get over that.
Sounds like he’s trying to convince himself that not calling plays is okay with him. The money helps in the short term, but I’d bet it’s going to be something of an issue down the road. I don’t know enough about him to know if he’s future head coach material or not, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a different OC job just to add to his resume.
That may be true
But he also stated that he is not interested in moving while his daughter is in HS, which would mean that he’s here for 4 years. Not saying that he wouldn’t go elsewhere for a hc job, but it certainly seems like it would prevent him from taking another OC job.
That got my attention too.
I like it when an assistant coach expects to stay put for 4+ years.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Our last OC who didn't call plays...
Is going to be calling them next year in Alabama for a lot of money.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Feb 9, 2012 9:13 AM PST up reply actions
Nussmeier's wife might have had something to do with that move.
But I bet he would’ve been looking to move sooner or later regardless. As long as Sarkisian is here, the OC is the OC in name mostly.
so is the OC the QB coach?
I know there was no QB coach but was a responsibility of Nuss.
Is it the same for EK?
He was a Receivers coach at Cal. Any experience with QB’s?
by PandG on Feb 9, 2012 12:34 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
yes, he's also the QB coach
Kiesau was a QB himself in college, but I believe this is his first time as officially a QB coach (the reality is there’s often some overlap in coaching responsibilities on a staff).
Nuss was also officially the QB coach in addition to being OC; in fact he was originally hired as the QB coach, and got the added responsibilities as OC when Jim Michalczik left after a couple months to join the Raiders.
Everything I've seen...
….Sarkisian is the de facto QB coach. He did as much or more with the QB’s as Nussmeier did. Nussmeier was definitely involved, but Sarksian was the ultimate voice.
I agree
Eventually Kiesau will want the play-calling role; I’m sure he’d prefer here, but if that doesn’t happen, he’ll move on. I don’t think he’ll bolt right away, especially given his comments about not moving his kids while they’re in High School, but you never know – if money comes a-knocking…
kirk, might be fuzzy here but i seem to recall that
Jeff Tedford only recently gave up the play calling during games, want to say just last season. If so, Kiesau has shown he is willling to wait for that task, as he had been under JT for 3 years as OC.
and if he's good at it I for one hope Sark relinquishes that role.
He’s trying to cover a lot of ground right now.
by HuskyInExile on Feb 9, 2012 10:21 PM PST up reply actions
Sark-Tosh-Wilcox-Sirmon will be a recruiting juggernaut
Young, intelligent beyond their years, enthusiasm to spare, well spoken, and that above-&-beyond passion to improve. That whole group just oozes “it factor”. Combine that with a beautiful new stadium on the horizon (without a track!) and the overall explosion of quality & revenue in the pac-12…well suffice it to say the UW arrow is pointing straight up!
Don't discount Heyward in that recruiting equation either.
We not only saw quality guys come, and then not, based on him alone. He “connects” and communicates very well, and we have all seen recently that is even more important that the message itself.
Looking in from the outside, there is considerable concern, competitively speaking, about what Washington might look like down the road as a result of the steps taken up there recruiting wise.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
Agreed...I feel you there my friend!
Heyward is a big time bonus to an area I/we all saw fall off the cliff lately! He brings obvious quality to not just recruiting (not to discount that area at all!) but teaching, and coaching the guys up to the place where they can “will themselves” into making the big plays needed on the “island” they’ll be on…Also, Kiesau and his impact should not be underestimated! He settled Cyler Myles’ concerns while Kiffen was pushing full peddle to the metal to steal him down the stretch…
Agree...It is time for optimism again!
I can hardly wait for Spring ball to see things taking shape with last years redshirts,etc. making their presence felt with the new coaches and their schemes? Any word on the status of guys like Jamora,Cooper,Sample,Smith etc.??? Huge improvement implications….Keeping the Kool-Aid ready to uncork!
I already uncorked it, now it can't be stopped
by C Dubya on Feb 9, 2012 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
I love that picture dude!
Awesome! I love purple Kool-Aid! Drink it everyday. I’d have sex with it if I could.
hmm
"If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting."
by RedmondLonghorn on Feb 9, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
I'm loving all of the new coaches
Wilcox is the real deal, I love the message that he is willing to adapt the defense to our personnel and put the best defensive possible on the field to win now, not 3 years from now. It’s only talk at this point, so we will have to see just how good of a coach he is.
I also really like Heyward in his interview. When asked “is that a mindset that the players need to have, to be more physical out there?” Heyward simply stared back and said very seriously, “Dominate. That’s what we want to do is dominate.” He went on to say that if you play scared or timid, you become afraid of making mistakes instead of going out there and letting it rip. THIS is the attitude I want to see out of a Husky defense.
Love the new coaches!
Sirmon – Do I detect a slight southern drawl from Mr Sirmon? I guess he picked up Tennessee quite well lol
Wilcox – Love his talk about fundamentals. Our Defense has good players that were often lacking in fundamentals, execution and tackling.
Heyward – Dominate! You can’t dominate with 15 yard cushions.
Kiesau – Looking forward to seeing what he can do to make the offense even better along with Sark.
Redshirt Kevin Smith please
Kevin is a kid that has a world of potential but he didn’t play HS football that long so if anyone needs another year to RS and get well and learn the intricacies of the college WR game it’s Smith.
Agreed
Also it would be nice from the standpoint of extending our depth in the future at receiver. If Smith can regain athletic form after the injury and improve concentration (no more dropped TDs please), he can be a force at receiver.
For all of the “depth” that people like to talk about the UW having at receiver, it is all pretty unproven after 2012, with the exception of Kasen. Having a healed and improved Smith in 2031 and 2014 would make me feel better.
"If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting."
by RedmondLonghorn on Feb 9, 2012 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
Not to put too fine a point on it,
but if Smith played in 2031, it would be an alumni game.
Having said that, I think the notion of wanting to RS Smith is preaching to the choir. I would imagine that nearly all of us are deadly tired of seeing players having years wasted but burning RS years (Bruns), problems with injuries (like Cooper) and so on. It was hard this last fall to not feel like half the talent, especially on defense, was stuck on the sidline for various reasons.
NEW STADIUM WEB CAMS!
Anybody checked out the stadium web cams today? They have apparently set up 3 additional cameras that give additional angles of the construction progress. Pretty cool!
Go Dawgs!
Justin Wilcox
A little prediction according to my current dynasty in NCAA Football 2012: After the 2014 season, Chip Kelly will be fired for failing to meet his goals and Justin Wilcox will replace him as head coach. I thought that was rather funny/interesting.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
I actually think
That playing several seasons of Dynasty with the UW, with recruiting difficulty set on at least All-American, is pretty instructive about some of the challenges of the recruiting process.
Sure, it is just a crude simulation, but it forces you to think about building a roster, allocation of resources, having a back-up plan, etc..
It also teaches you that sometimes the perfect recruit to fill a need that ought to love your school just doesn’t.
All things that are instructive.
"If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting."
by RedmondLonghorn on Feb 9, 2012 4:27 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
The *ucks mock us for drinking the optimism kool-aid. CGB's are drinking hemlock.
I like the glass half full an awful lot better.
. . . and fact is we both have reasons to be optimistic, and a demonstrated willingness to exercise some patience while the program climbs back up.
It’s GREAT to be a Husky!
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