Chris Petersen Media Day Interview Part 5

How did QB Troy Williams do in the offseason?

Yeah, he got some very good reps in spring, a lot. Only had two QBs, and he progressed every day and made strides. Just need him to make as much progress this fall in fall camp as he did in spring ball, and I think he'll be good.

On the quarterback situation:

We have Troy and Jeff Lindquist who were there in spring. We have a true freshman coming in in K.J. Carta-Samuels with us in the spring. So those guys will compete like heck here in a week or so.

You’re not used to this big of a media crowd. How have you had to adjust?

The thing is there is a little irony in this whole thing. Because all of this is different, more of you than at our other media days. But being in Washington, I'm completely under the radar. I just do my deal. I don't go anywhere where people don't know who I am or having a conversation. I really like the people. Don't get me wrong, but it's really been nice. If I don't have a W on, it's not about another person. So that's been an interesting, kind of refreshing change.

In hindsight, it seems like this is the perfect fit. How did you assess that?

Just like the recruits trying to find that right fit. There might be a great player out there. I think the Washington thing, that's where we left. I think it is a good fit. I think it fits me and I'm excited to be there.

Have you been in the traffic here?

These freeways? No, but I've been in traffic in Seattle. Oh, gosh, and that's one thing in Seattle is I'm not really far from the office so I don't really have to deal with the traffic. But everything else is you have to plan your day out. Can't go there. Why not? Well, it's going to take two hours.

Did you ever consider any places outside of Washington go to, like a dream job?

You don't know.When I was in Boise I never had that where I said, look, that job opens up and that's something I'm interested in. I was just always content and happy at Boise. Made the decision. So there is another place that I would say well, that place as well. I just know there have been many of them.

I do know some coaches who have said, if a job opens up at a particular school, I want that job.

I never got that far down the road. Talking about it, from the outside --the grass isn't always greener. Be careful what you wish for. And that's why I was so careful at Boise. Staying at a good place. I think I'm in another really good place and excited to be here.

Are there some resources you have at Washington that you didn’t have at Boise State?

I think there are a few more. I think rules change a little bit in terms of being able to see the kids more. All of those things that take a lot of money that not everybody can do. I think Washington will have the resources to compete with everybody else.

As far as recruiting, do you have more comfortable traveling or things like that?

No, not really.

Coach, I'm an Oregon writer, and I tend to talk to a lot of the former players, specifically Kenny. By far your name comes up a lot as a coach they respect a lot. Just wondering what it is about your coaching style?

I don't know. One of the reasons that I do coach, I mean, and I always say this, this is such a hard job. It really is. There is not much easy about it so where I get satisfaction is the relationship with those players. Like Kenny with his family and in the recruiting process, to recruit good kids like that and feel connected. You might not talk to them all the time after you leave there, but you feel like you're part of their family and those things. So that's why I coach. It's to be around guys like Kenny and his family, and hopefully have life long connections.

Hau’oli Kikaha said sometimes when working out he imagines doing karate or judo. Does he show that in practices?

He always surprises me. I'm still figuring some of these guys out. I haven't, but he's a hard-working guy, very focused, unbelievable student. Then I'll go down into the locker room on Saturday or Sunday, and if there is one guy in there that I'll see in the rare hours, just getting down there and getting ready to go work on his own and do something. So doesn't surprise me. He's very focused and driven.