Land-Grant Holy Land - Big Ten Media Days 2013: Schedule, live stream, TV, and participantshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46551/lghl-fave.png2013-07-25T09:43:21-04:00http://www.landgrantholyland.com/rss/stream/43164632013-07-25T09:43:21-04:002013-07-25T09:43:21-04:00Big Ten Media Days 2013 Day 2: Live updates
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<figcaption>Urban Meyer, thrilled to be back at it. | SB Nation</figcaption>
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<p>The second day of Big Ten Media Days is here. Get all the latest from LGHL's Zach Clark.</p> <p>Land-Grant Holy Land's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Zach Clark</a> is picking up where our Matt Brown left off yesterday at day 2 of the 2013 Big Ten Media Days. Today's format is a bit more cavalier: there are two open hours of Q&A with players and coaches, including Ohio State quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller">Braxton Miller</a>, offensive lineman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77272/jack-mewhort">Jack Mewhort</a>, and safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114076/christian-bryant">Christian Bryant</a>. Cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114087/bradley-roby">Bradley Roby</a> had previously been scheduled to be in attendance until his arrest this past weekend.</p>
<p>Urban Meyer is still around as well, so we're sure to get plenty of questions about possible suspensions as well as things like discipline philosophy and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10242/aaron-hernandez">Aaron Hernandez</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a complete list of the players in attendance today:</p>
<p>Illinois: DL <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75951/tim-kynard">Tim Kynard</a>, OT Corey Lewis, QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75932/nathan-scheelhaase">Nathan Scheelhaase</a> <br>Indiana: K <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76395/mitch-ewald">Mitch Ewald</a>, S <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113740/greg-heban">Greg Heban</a>, WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113738/kofi-hughes">Kofi Hughes</a> <br>Iowa: LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113821/christian-kirksey">Christian Kirksey</a>, LB James Morris, OT Brett Van Sloten <br>Michigan: QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner">Devin Gardner</a>, S Thomas Gordon, OT <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76886/taylor-lewan">Taylor Lewan</a> <br>Michigan State: LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113942/max-bullough">Max Bullough</a>, CB Darqueze Dennard, G <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77210/blake-treadwell">Blake Treadwell</a> <br>Minnesota: DT Ra'Shede Hageman, RB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113967/donnell-kirkwood">Donnell Kirkwood</a>, S <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113968/brock-vereen">Brock Vereen</a> <br>Nebraska: WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115205/quincy-enunwa">Quincy Enunwa</a>, CB Ciante Evans, QB Taylor Martinez <br>Northwestern: QB Kain Colter, RB Venric Mark, DE Tyler Scott <br>Ohio State: OT Jack Mewhort, QB Braxton Miller, S Christian Bryant (replaces CB Bradley Roby) <br>Penn State: LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114115/glenn-carson">Glenn Carson</a>, G <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85935/john-urschel">John Urschel</a>, S <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85923/malcolm-willis">Malcolm Willis</a> <br>Purdue: CB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114141/ricardo-allen">Ricardo Allen</a>, DT Bruce Gaston Jr., TE <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77550/gabe-holmes">Gabe Holmes</a> <br>Wisconsin: WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77770/jared-abbrederis">Jared Abbrederis</a>, LB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77781/chris-borland">Chris Borland</a>, RB James White</p>
<p>You can follow along with this morning's action by either following Zach on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/ZClark_LGHL" target="_blank">@ZClark_LGHL</a>) or just keeping the following open:</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/25/4555970/big-ten-media-days-2013-day-2Luke Zimmermann2013-07-24T18:00:59-04:002013-07-24T18:00:59-04:00AUDIO: Urban Meyer at B1G Media Days 2013
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<p>If you missed Urban Meyer's defense of his program at this afternoon's Big Ten Media Days, day one, we've got you covered with full audio of his statements below.</p> <p>In addition to our own Matt Brown, who was in Chicago digging deep (and in the process irritating Iowa's Kirk Ferentz) at Big Ten Media Days 2013, <a href="http://buckys5thquarter.com" target="_blank">Bucky's 5th Quarter</a> contributor Scott Wisniewski was also present, amongst a small contingent of other SB Nation affiliated writers.</p>
<p>While Matt was busy asking Gary Andersen about recruiting in the state of Utah and mountain west (outside the Badgers' traditional recruiting foot print), Scott was capturing the action for B5Q, and more members of SB Nation Big Ten.</p>
<p>Thanks to Scott, we've got Urban Meyer's entire 15-ish minute session from this afternoon preserved in posterity, for those of that missed it to take in in its entirety. You can read a <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553676/ohio-state-urban-meyer-big-ten-media-days-2013" target="_blank">complete transcript of his statements</a> here.</p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4554234/urban-meyer-defends-ohio-state-at-big-ten-media-days-complete-audioLuke Zimmermann2013-07-24T17:01:21-04:002013-07-24T17:01:21-04:00Notes from Big Ten Media Days '13, Day 1
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<p>The first day of Big Ten Media Days are in the books, complete with interviews from all the coaches. We take a look at the major themes and stories from the day. </p> <p>Just about all of the big story lines were hit during the coaching interviews at Big Ten Media Day, from the O'Bannon case, to NCAA realignment, to expectations for next season, and of course, whether Urban Meyer has LOST CONTROL (TM Mark Richt) of something or another. Here are some of the major themes and takeaways from the event:</p>
<h4>It's all about Ohio State</h4>
<p>There might have been 12 coaches answering questions about their programs at the podium, but the elephant in the room was clearly about Ohio State, with multiple programs answering questions about the Buckeyes (though admittedly many of these were driven by the heavy contingent of Ohio State media), and with the room experiencing a palatable lack of energy after Urban Meyer completed his remarks. Northwestern's Coach Fitzgerald was asked about his expectations for the stadium when the Wildcats host the Buckeyes for Homecoming ("I haven't put a lot of thought into it" was the response), and Darrell Hazell and Gary Andersen were asked about their ties to previous or current Ohio State coaches.</p>
<p>Hazell, who worked under Jim Tressel for seven years, specifically cited the great decisions he made on game day as a major inspiration. Andersen went even further, calling Urban "a very good friend", and "a good person, a family man, and somebody I have a great deal of respect for". Meyer returned the favor, later calling Andersen, who worked under Meyer at Utah, "one of the 2 or 3 best hires I have ever made". Buckeye fans will be forgiven if seeing Buckeye and Badger coaches actually liking each other takes a while to get used to.</p>
<h4>It's easy to see who the "haves" and the "have nots" of the Big Ten are</h4>
<p>At least, when it comes to buzz around their football team. The upper crust of the league, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, did not have any trouble attracting questions the press crowd, but some schools that have found themselves near the bottom of the league table, like Illinois and Purdue, were able to end their press conferences early without complaint. The lack of interest in Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was particularly noticeable, as he ended his question answering literally with half of the time still remaining. Part of that might be due to personality type, part of that might have to do with the complete lack of buzz, but Iowa or Illinois fans hoping for meaty answers to their on the field questions may be left lacking.</p>
<h4>Questioning didn't just stick to football</h4>
<p>Questions about new rules hoping to prevent targeting by defenders were common, with Nebraska coach Bo Pelini perhaps giving the most interesting response:</p>
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<p>"Well, the most scary thing to me is just what you said, the application part of it. And it's going to be pretty subjective. And I don't think it's going to be an easy thing to call. And in my opinion it's going a little bit overboard right now. And some of the things I've seen on TV and different examples of what they've shown, you know, even as a coach watching it on TV, I haven't quite agreed with some of the things they are talking about.</p>
<p>But I understand where it's coming from. It's about the safety of the players, and we're all for that. We just have to make sure we're not messing with the integrity of the game or the sport and how it's supposed to be played.</p>
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<p>The questioning didn't stop there though. Michigan headman Brady Hoke was asked to comment on the bankruptcy situation in Detroit ("we're all pulling for the city"), and how he felt about being compared to cancer ("Beating Michigan, in this context, we're all for it. We're excited for that young man"). Hoke responded to the curveballs well, and also added meaty football answers to his backup QB situation (they had previously kicked the tires on a few JUCO players), and depth along the lines.</p>
<p>Urban Meyer's questioning in particular focused on off the field issues, for obvious reasons. <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553676/ohio-state-urban-meyer-big-ten-media-days-2013">We have the full transcript over here</a>, which you should read, but the highlights included the fact that Meyer was unaware of any "good news" concerning the status of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114089/carlos-hyde" class="sbn-auto-link">Carlos Hyde's</a> legal situation ("I'm not a big social media guy"), that he was not involved in turning in Florida for any recruiting violations, and that he is very disappointed in some of the off the field hijinks going on with the program recently. Yours truly asked the only question related to this year's actual football team, asking which players he needed to fill in the leadership gap on the team from the departed senior class.</p>
<p>Meyer specifically focused on wanting <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller" class="sbn-auto-link">Braxton Miller</a> to continue to develop as a leader, and called the offensive line "the heart and soul of the team". He also said that we was looking for more leaders to develop on defense, and specifically mentioned safeties <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114076/christian-bryant" class="sbn-auto-link">Christian Bryant</a> and C.J Barnett has players who will be tremendous leaders for the squad.</p>
<p>Despite the heavy attention, Meyer clearly came prepared to answer questions about discipline and the offseason, and came across as very fair.</p>
<h4>The BTN is not resting on their laurels</h4>
<p>The BTN has already been a tremendously successful venture for the league, but they aren't content to sit around, especially as the SEC Network is entering the picture (BTN President Mark Silverman said that "ESPN owning the SEC Network is a challenge for us"). BTN2GO will now be available on Comcast, and the league will continue to develop new programming options, from a new season of the highly acclaimed "The Journey", to a new documentary, to a program called "Forever B1G", about ex-student athletes. While the SEC is planning on adding a traveling "Gameday" like program, the BTN will not, at least in the immediate future, emphasizing that they don't want to do something unless they can do it very well. You can bet that if the SEC version is a smashing success though, the network may want to reevaluate their decision making calculus.</p>
<h4>Jim Delany's filibuster game is still strong</h4>
<p>After multiple other commissioners criticized the NCAA during their media days, including the SEC and the Big 12, many were wondering if Delany would drop another haymaker on the beleaguered institution. Instead, Delany's opening remarks easily eclipsed the scheduled questioning time, as he delivered a wandering discourse on the history of the NCAA, dipping into "inside baseball" regulations.</p>
<p>The key takeaway is that Delany isn't thundering fire and brimstone about the need for large school succession, or NCAA reorganization for it's own sake. Instead, he focused on the need to focus on outcomes in reforms, such as a lifetime scholarship for student-athletes to return to school should they leave without a degree, or allowing for scholarships to meet the full cost of attendance, (so student athletes could get things like laundry money).</p>
<p>Delany again reiterated that he didn't think the O'Bannon case was good for college athletics, and predicted that it could eventually be resolved by the Supreme Court, instead of a possible compromise halfway. Hearing warnings that the major direction of college athletics could be decided by courts, of the US Congress ("they'll need to decide what they want to do with Title IX") will probably send a shiver down the spine of most sports fans, even among degenerate politicos like myself. If you were tired of hearing news about conference realignment or offseason scandal, gearing up for COLLEGE FOOTBALL : C-SPAN EDITION is probably less palatable.</p>
<h4>TL;DR, what do I need to know?</h4>
<p>Essentially, the major stakeholders in college football agree that some sort of significant reform is needed and will likely come soon, although whether that's a full blown Division 4 (something Delany denied talking about), or more incremental changes. Urban Meyer handled the litany of questions about how he's LOSING CONTROL well, and laid out where the team needs to improve, leadership wise, to be successful. The BTN will continue to improve as well. Wisconsn's coach Andersen and Brady Hoke gave engaging interviews if you want more details, <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553676/ohio-state-urban-meyer-big-ten-media-days-2013">and you can always refer to our live blog</a>, or my twitter timeline (<a href="http://twitter.com/MattLGHL">@MattLGHL</a>) for more details from the event at large.</p>
<p>Overall though, it was a very B1G event. Sporadic spasms of excitement intermixed with longer spells of blandness. After the weekend Ohio State fans just had though, sometimes a little bland is okay.</p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553912/notes-from-big-ten-media-days-day-oneMatt Brown2013-07-24T15:56:18-04:002013-07-24T15:56:18-04:00Iowa's Kirk Ferentz at B1G Media Days 2013
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<p>Iowa's Kirk Ferentz spoke on bouncing back from a tough 2012 and the problems today's student athletes face in relation to those of the past.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS</i><br><br>THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Kirk Ferentz. <br>COACH FERENTZ: Welcome, everybody. Everybody that's been up here so far, we're excited to get started, certainly. And we're enthused about our football team. Last year was obviously very disappointing for all of us, and as soon as the season ended in November, we encouraged our players to turn the page and wanted to get them looking forward and then go back to work, and that's pretty much what we've done. And we try to do that after every season.<br>I'm enthused again about the way the players have handled each step along the way, and needless to say, eager to get on the field here in a couple of weeks. <br>THE MODERATOR: Questions.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. As the Big Ten moves to the nine league schedule many, teams in the conference have scheduled traditional out of marquee games with Iowa being locked in a long‑term contract with Iowa State. Would the program be willing to take a year with only six home games to secure a higher level out‑of‑conference opponent, or would you have to continue to work with having two home games those other slots?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I'm not sure I caught the last part.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Or would you just work with keeping two home games for the final two out‑of‑conference spots?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I don't think there are many teams that are going to give up a chance to have at least seven home games. I can't imagine too many of those. <br>And then the second part of that is that we're‑‑ I'll speak for myself, but I think we're firmly locked in with Ohio State. That's a very important game, very relevant game to all of us involved, and I can't envision that thing ending in the near future.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Have you thought much about the spearing penalties, how that's going to play out? When do you sort of go through that with your players?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: We first got introduced to some of the talk about it back in a meeting early February as coaches and I think all of us are concerned about any of those types of plays. They're bang, bang, flagrant fouls to anybody in the stands. Anybody can recognize that need to be dealt with, but I think on the plays that are bang, bang, which many of those are, I'm just hoping the officials will use good judgment.<br>And I know they've talked about video replay being instituted, too, which I think would be really something that needs to be done. It's concerning. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. Urban Meyer was in here getting grilled about the disciplinary issues. How do you look at that as the role of a head coach, what you need to do to try to stem that?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I don't think coaching is a lot different than parenting. My wife and I have raised five children and you're always a parent. So that never ends. <br>Coaching is the same way. Once the parents, families turn their young people over to you, first time they're living independently, typically, away from home, and a whole different set of circumstances, choices to make. <br>I think all of us would probably agree the most important thing you can do is try to equip them to making good decisions, try to educate them in terms of some of the challenges that are going to be out there for them, some of the things that they're going to have to contemplate and think about. And then obviously the landscape's changed an awful lot, too, with social media. It's a lot different than it was eight years ago, certainly 18 years ago. So all those things kind of magnify it. <br>But I think some of the issues, some of the temptations, some of the bad decisions all college students can make, it hasn't changed an awful lot, but the communication with them has.<br>So as a result of that, athletes have to be very, very aware of it because athletes can't just float unbeknownst to other people, just like coaches can't. They're in a very public eye.<br>It's an ongoing challenge. But I do certainly think it's a big part of our responsibility as coaches to try to educate and arm our players as best we possibly can to making good decisions. And I think people were doing that 30 years ago. It's just the landscape's changed a little bit. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. In recent years, you guys have had a lot of run of bad luck at the tailback position but seems like entering this, you feel pretty confident having at a lot of depth at this position, at least more in recent years. Explain how you feel about that. </b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I'm sorry I didn't catch that. My ears must be bad.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. How do you feel about the tailback position entering this season having more depth? </b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I never feel too good about that position. But we're certainly further ahead than we were last year. Last year at this time, quite frankly, we didn't know if we had a Big Ten running back. And <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141955/damon-bullock">Damon Bullock</a>, I think when he was playing, did an excellent job. I think he's grown a lot in 12 months' time, and we're really excited to see how he performs this year.<br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142161/mark-weisman">Mark Weisman</a> at this time last year, we thought he would be a pretty good fullback. And I'll backtrack. Going into spring a year ago, we weren't sure if he'd block or not. He proved that he could do that. And we kind of stumbled into him as a running back during the course of last year. <br>So with those two guys alone we feel a lot better about where we're at. Both those players have improved since last fall.<br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142536/jordan-canzeri">Jordan Canzeri</a> rejoins our team. He's healthy, had a good spring. Got a couple of younger players on our roster. Excited to see how they perform in August and some incoming players, too. We're excited. <br>All that being said, from experience, it's hard to feel too good or too comfortable about any one position.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. A couple of coaches that you previously coached with who are now in the Southeastern Conference expressed concerns about the hurry‑up offense and the potential for causing injuries. What are your thoughts about that, and is that a valid concern that they have?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: I don't have a lot of thoughts about it. And I haven't really seen any statistical evidence to say it is leading to injuries. I don't know if you can quantify that or not. I'm sure somebody's working on it. <br>But needless to say, it's changed the complexion of the game. And it's become very, very popular. So as a result of that, you have to be prepared for that. And whatever your answers may be to slowing things down, either it's rotating more personnel in defensively, somehow trying to slow the game down, the tempo of the game down.<br>Probably the best answer still is to get off the field in three downs. That's always a good answer, no matter what your opponent runs offensively. <br>But I know it's a talk item right now. I haven't really given much thought to it.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. You went 0‑8 in your first season at Iowa, and Tim Beckman went 0‑8 in his first season at Illinois. Can you talk maybe not on that situation, but just the patience level or lack thereof, or is there less time to build programs now than there used to be?</b><br>COACH FERENTZ: To that question, yeah. The answer there is yes. I think there's certainly less patience at all levels in football right now for anybody. And typically, if you're 0‑8, it's going to require patience. You hope you have an administration that understands that process and understands what it is you're trying to get accomplished and then allow you to go do the work you have to do. <br>I've always felt if you look at things over a five‑week‑‑ or excuse me, a five‑year window, at any point in a program's tenure, establishment, gives you a little bit of a picture to what's going on. Typically it takes time to rebuild. To rebuild a good foundation, it does. If you're 0‑8 it's probably what you're doing. We've been there. We won two games in the conference last year and we've got a lot of work to do obviously, too.<br>THE MODERATOR: Thank you. <br><strong></strong><br><strong>FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports</strong></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553886/iowa-kirk-ferentz-big-ten-media-days-2013Luke Zimmermann2013-07-24T15:34:22-04:002013-07-24T15:34:22-04:00Penn State's Bill O'Brien at B1G Media Days 2013
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<p>Penn State's second year head coach addressed Penn State, NCAA sanctions, and more.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS</i><br><br>THE MODERATOR: We're joined by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Bill O'Brien</a>. <br>COACH O'BRIEN: Excited to be here. This is my second Big Ten media day. It's always a sign that obviously the season is right around the corner. <br>And brought three players with us here for these two days. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85935/john-urschel">John Urschel</a> is an offensive lineman for us. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85923/malcolm-willis">Malcolm Willis</a>, safety for us. And <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114115/glenn-carson">Glenn Carson</a>, middle linebacker for us. It's great to be with them. <br>It's good to see the other coaches in the league. I have a lot of respect for all the coaches in this league. <br>We have some really good coaches, and it's great to meet with them. We had a good meeting with Jim Delany, Commissioner Delany, this morning, and that's always‑‑ it's always good to reconnect with the coaches here.<br>Really excited about the season. We have a group of kids that have worked extremely hard in the off‑season to try to improve their individual skill set and now we have to go out and have a productive training camp, but it's a great group of guys to work with.<br>Our staff is really excited about it, and I believe our first practice will be August5th. So it's right around the bend and can't wait. So I guess I'll open it up to questions. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. What about the prospects of starting a true freshman at actually quarterback in Hackenberg? Would that be ‑‑</b><br>(Technical difficulties ‑ telephonic disconnection.)<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Coach, now that you've had the job for over a year, do you feel that the challenges that have arisen because of the sanctions imposed, are those challenges what you expected?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: When you go into a job like this, you always have to expect the unexpected, regardless of what has happened in the last year. <br>Really, I'm here to talk about the 2013 team. You know, a lot of the things that we talked about last year, when I was here, it's water under the bridge. We're in a situation at Penn State right now that is unprecedented, sure. But at the same time I've said this over and over again, our staff, myself, we're thankful for our players. <br>Our players are tough. They're resilient. They're good kids. They're hardworking. They go to class, and we're looking forward to working with those guys. The rules are what they are. And that's what we play under. And that's what we're going to do. So we're excited about the season, and again just really want to concentrate on the 2013 season.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Ideally, when would you like to decide on who the starting quarterback will be?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: I think you have to make a decision about halfway through training camp, I really do. I think in order to give that guy, whoever that guy will be, Tyler or Christian, in order to give him enough time to prepare for an excellent Syracuse team that throws a lot at you defensively, you have to give them a couple of weeks to get ready for the first game at the very least, especially a young quarterback. <br>Probably halfway through, we'll have enough valuation of our practice film and all the different things that go into being the starting quarterback at Penn State, not only on the practice field but in the meeting room, and we'll make a good decision. We'll do what's best for the football team.<br>Again, it's an exciting time for us. It's not a time we look at as: Woe is me. It's more of a time exactly the opposite of that. We look at the fact that we have a chance to work with two really talented young quarterbacks. So it's an exciting time for us at Penn State and one we're looking forward to when training camp starts.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. How do you see the loss of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114127/brad-bars">Brad Bars</a> affecting your defense? And has he or will he apply for a medical redshirt? </b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: First of all, one thing that we've instilled in our players I believe over the last 19, 20 months that I've been on the job is the phrase: Next man up. We knew when Brad went down there was guys that were in that defensive line room now had to move up because they potentially move up the depth chart. So we've learned that phrase at Penn State. So there's some guys there that need to step up. <br>Now, as far as Brad Bars is concerned, I was really‑‑ I felt bad for him, because here's a guy that probably hasn't been talked about enough. He's a fantastic student. He's a tough football player. He was not only a defensive end, a candidate for starting job for us at that position, but he was also a really good core special teams player. So next man up on special teams, too. <br>And more than likely, I don't want to speak for Brad, but I believe that he will come back for a fifth year and rehab the Achilles and he'll be back next year.<br>So I would want a guy like that back because I believe he's a core type of guy. He's a Penn State guy. He's again just like John Urschel and a lot of the other guys on our football team, he's what a student‑athlete really means.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. A related question regarding depth. How concerned are you with depth both along the defensive line and at linebacker?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: Well, again, we're going to have to go into training camp and see how much some of our younger players have improved at those positions. Remember, if you look at linebacker in the spring, we didn't have <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142588/ben-kline">Ben Kline</a> in the spring. He was out with a shoulder operation. He'll be back for training camp. We're looking forward to seeing him.<br>He stopped by the office the other day. He's had an excellent summer, looks in great shape, and he's ready to go. So we get him back. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/171451/gary-wooten">Gary Wooten</a>, another guy that we felt was improving during the spring, can he add depth there.<br>Again, we've got to look at all the different players we have on defense as it relates to the linebacker position, what can a guy like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141951/adrian-amos">Adrian Amos</a> do? Can he play safety? Can he play corner? Can he play linebacker? Stephen Obeng, can he come down and play some linebacker for us.<br>I think our staff‑‑ I know our staff led by John Butler has done a really good job of really looking at that and being prepared for all the different scenarios. Defense line‑wise certainly Brad Bars not being there, again, gives us a little bit of a problem there depth‑wise, but a guy like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159747/evan-schwan">Evan Schwan</a>, does he step up now, a younger player that maybe hasn't‑‑ obviously he redshirted last year, we don't know a lot about him as a player right now. He's a great kid. He's had a really good, hardworking summer. Is that a candidate to step up and take a Brad Bars type of spot there.<br>Are we concerned? I don't think we use the word "concerned" too much in our program. We just look for different ways to be able to relate to the different scenarios that may occur.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. When you take the field against Syracuse, Scott Shafer is going to be coaching his first game. What challenges do you remember from your first game last year and in what ways can that give you competitive advantage going up against the first‑time head coach?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: I don't know. I don't think too much is said about that. I think that Scott Shafer's an excellent coach. Watching them last year, how they played on defense, I think they're going to have a very good defensive football team back. And then again, watching them on offense, they're going to have a really good offensive football team back. <br>First‑year head coaches, first games, all those different things, everybody's different as to how they handle it. Obviously, if you look at my own situation last year, I certainly could have done a much better job on opening day than I did last year.<br>So, again, Coach Shafer is a great coach, and he's going to do a fantastic job at Syracuse.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. A year ago you came in without experience and there were all the sanctions talk, all that kind of stuff. Just how different is the feeling today compared to a year ago at this time for you?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: Well, it's certainly different. I mean, last year I think we arrived here the day after obviously the penalties being announced, so I think we're in a better mood this year.<br>But obviously you're a lot more comfortable with your position as a head football coach after having‑‑ it's only been a year, but you're more comfortable with the players, with the staff, knowing each other, the chemistry, all those different things that go into it. <br>Again, does that lead to victories? Who knows. We're going to have to go out there and play extremely hard. <br>It's a very difficult schedule, non‑league schedule to start the season, and then obviously a very Big Ten schedule. <br>We really enjoy coaching our players. We have a lot of good players, tough players, hardworking guys, and we're just really excited about the season. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You said Tyler Ferguson will obviously compete for the starting job. He's not on campus right now, obviously. So what kind of setback is that, him not being a part of the summer workouts? And has he told you yet when he expects to be back on campus?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: He'll be back. Summer's voluntary. Right? The last time I read the NCAA rule book, summer's voluntary. He's not there. He's at home. He's got some personal things that he's dealing with at home. To me, again, he'll come in. He'll be here for training camp. <br>What time, what day, all those things, I mean, I don't know. I am sure he'll be in the first team meeting and he'll be ready to compete with Christian for that job.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Have you seen anything different out of Glenn Carson in this past offseason considering that he's a senior leader of those linebackers now that Mauti and Hodges have gone their ways?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: Glenn is certainly a guy you would describe as high‑character guy, very intense, heart and soul type of guy. Glenn's not a real rah‑rah guy. Glenn is very serious about his position as the middle linebacker at Penn State. He understands the tradition of linebackers at Penn State and obviously linebacker U. <br>So he understands that. He was a leader last year. He's a leader right now, and we're looking forward to him having a really good year for us. He, again, is another guy that you would say as it relates to Penn State, he's what being a Penn State football player is all about. He's a good student. He's a tough kid. New Jersey High School state champion wrestler. <br>He means a lot to our football team, and we're certainly glad he's on our team. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. Do you anticipate Kyle Carter and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a> to do everything in training camp this year?</b><br>COACH O'BRIEN: As far as health? Yes, I do, I anticipate both guys will be back for training camp, Kyle Carter obviously injured his wrist against Nebraska, so he's had a little bit more time to heal. Zach did his in the blue/white game, so he hasn't had as much time. So you'd probably say Kyle a little bit ahead of Zach in that department. <br>But both guys will be ready during training camp, Kyle right at the beginning, and Zach will participate, but he may not be full contact right away. <br>THE MODERATOR: Thank you very much. <br><strong></strong><br><strong>FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports</strong></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553826/penn-state-bill-obrien-big-ten-media-days-2013Luke Zimmermann2013-07-24T15:19:29-04:002013-07-24T15:19:29-04:00B1G and Ivy League take on head injuries
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<p>The NCAA's decision to impose stiff penalties against head shots increases the scrutiny on player safety in all levels of football. The Big Ten Conference, along with they Ivy League, are stepping forward, trying to stop head trauma before it starts.</p> <p>Football is the most popular television sport in this country, and there is plenty of support to make that statement a fact. The <a href="http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/29/complete-list-of-2012-13-season-tv-show-ratings-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-the-big-bang-theory-the-voice-modern-family/184774/">highest-rated show </a>on broadcast television last year was NBC's Sunday Night Football. The BCS Title game drew a <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls12/story/_/id/8824307/tv-ratings-bcs-national-championship-see-mild-increase" target="_blank">15.1 fast national rating</a> (about 26-27 million viewers), even though the game was a one-sided blowout. Even the college football regular season had its own great viewership, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012/12/11/3754632/college-football-tv-ratings-2012-alabama-notre-dame" target="_blank">headline-grabbing games bringing in viewers</a> by the millions.</p>
<p>Indeed, we Americans love watching football. But that's only because we no longer long to play a game that has become faster, tougher, and <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5906739/clowney.0_standard_352.0.gif" target="_blank">much more violent</a>.</p>
<p>Even in the midst of huge television ratings, football on the prep level is falling in <a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/8365578/changing-perceptions-participation-high-school-football" target="_blank">big football states like California</a>, and even here in Ohio. Participation is down, even at bigger, prestigious programs across the state. One high school coach told me that his team is suffering lowered numbers, and the biggest concern among parents is the rise in head injuries over the last decade. His team is down anywhere from 10-20% over the last five years. Parents don't want their kids to get hurt, some asking their kids to trade the chance to play in college in the name of safety.</p>
<p>The numbers aren't to the point that the sport is in trouble; Ohio State and Florida and Alabama and Michigan won't likely see rosters shrink down to unplayable numbers anytime soon or ever. But as the NCAA begins the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/3/7/4075572/new-ncaa-football-rules-2013-ejections" target="_blank">implementation of new rules</a> to curb dangerous hits, the Big Ten is focusing on making the game safer before those hits can have the chance to injure.</p>
<p>Following up on an "unprecedented research initiative" announced in June, 2012, members of the Big Ten, the Ivy League and the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) got together earlier this month with the goal of refining strategic priorities in the attempt to make the game that all Americans love safer for those taking part.</p>
<p>The goal of the <a href="http://www.bigten.org/genrel/072313aaa.html" target="_blank">Big Ten-Ivy League Head Injury Summit</a> was not to eliminate head injuries - that can't be done with just a room of great minds alone. Rather, the participants of the summit set out to redefine where research is going, reviewing current research and literature on the topic of traumatic brain injuries and sports. The findings of the review spoke very highly of the summit's hosts: Big Ten, CIC and Ivy League institutions are among the most cited, most published works on the topic of sports and traumatic brain injury, making the summit attendees some of the best subject matter experts on the topic.</p>
<p>The summit wasn't all talk, either. Positive next steps weren't just discussed, they were taken. All of the summit participants, which featured representation from all of the Big Ten and Ivy League schools, along with the CIC, are moving forward to address review processes, funding sources and project administration. These are the first steps into making a popular yet violent game that much safer, and to create an environment where a student-athlete's well-being is the first priority.</p>
<p>Commitment to the initiative was at the forefront of Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, who participated in the summit. "We were so encouraged to see the level of commitment and collaboration between representatives from the Big Ten and Ivy League," Delany said after the summit. "We know that protecting the health and safety of our student-athletes is a shared responsibility and we were thrilled to take part.”</p>
<p>The Big Ten, which features some of the best research institutions in the country, mixing with the Ivy League, home to many of the top educational institutions in the country, represent an impressive blend of idea generation and future planning. "Rarely do leaders from different disciplines, both clinical and research, have the opportunity to share ideas, develop a new data repository from our student-athletes that sustain head injuries and ultimately create collaborative research initiatives with the ultimate goal being to better care for all of our student-athletes, young and old alike.” said Michigan State's Head Team Physician Dr. Jeff Kovan.</p>
<p>Other participants were even more encouraged that the main collegiate bodies involved, the Big Ten and the Ivy League, were the ones to move the research initiative forward. “The Big Ten and Ivy League have embarked on a cutting-edge research initiative that serves as a new model of cooperation between the conferences and the NCAA," said Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA's Chief Medical Officer. "Through sharing and analysis of common data elements in injury surveillance, the ability to make data-driven recommendations for student-athlete health and safety will advance considerably.”</p>
<p>“Concussion in athletics is a growing public health concern with increased attention being focused on treatment and management of this puzzling epidemic," said Dr. Seymon Sloubonov, Penn State's Director of Sports Concussion Research and Services. To Dr. Sloubonov, collaboration will be the backbone of creating a safer game. "I believe that the Big Ten-Ivy League Head Injury Summit has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to combine our intellectual resources in order to address numerous questions and controversies about sports-related concussion."</p>
<p>Traumatic brain injury and sports-related concussions are no longer a topic that is taken lightly. Indeed, the future of the sport depends on research initiatives and collaboration between the best minds in their fields to increase safety for student-athletes. By engaging in this summit, the Big Ten and Ivy League have taken a big step forward to help increase that safety.</p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4552686/big-ten-football-head-injuries-ivy-league-summitChris Kopech2013-07-24T15:04:19-04:002013-07-24T15:04:19-04:00Minnesota's Jerry Kill at B1G Media Days 2013
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<p>Minnesota's Jerry Kill spoke about the future of the Gophers, his health, and more.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS</i><br><br>THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Jerry Kill. <br>COACH KILL: We're really, really excited at the University of Minnesota and the direction that we're going. It's a great time for us. I think it all started back when we got the opportunity to go to the Bowl game and play Texas Tech, and we had a great experience there and spent a lot of good time with our student‑athletes. And our kids handled theirselves well. <br>And we came up a little short in the game but we played more like we want to play at the University of Minnesota, very physical and hard‑nosed football and probably the first time we've been healthy all year.<br>And I think the kids took the momentum out of the Bowl game, took it on to the off‑season, did an outstanding job in the off‑season getting bigger, stronger, and faster. And went into spring ball, felt like we had our best spring ball. <br>We had the largest crowd at our spring scrimmage since Coach Holtz was there. So enthusiasm is great. <br>And I just think that our kids have come together over the two years. <br>And we've kind of, as a coaching staff, our coaching staff's been together for a long time. I think we're the longest tenured coaching staff in the country.<br>Our academic people, our strength program, we've all stayed there over the last two years. That's part of the building blocks or the foundation of our program.<br>So we're excited about the direction. Our administration has done a great job. We just presented to the Board of Regents a project that's $190million to improve our facilities, and we're moving forward on that. And that's a tremendous thing for our football program.<br>So the commitment and the direction we're headed at the University of Minnesota is good and we're excited about this season. And I'm looking forward to seeing this team. Each year, each team's different, and this team's approach certainly is different than the past two years.<br>We got better a year ago, and I look forward to seeing us get better this year. So with that, any questions? <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You look around this conference, a lot of teams have uncertainty at quarterback. Can you just talk about how much you think it will help that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson">Philip Nelson</a> had about half a year last year? I know you're still young at quarterback overall, but how much will that help him? </b><br>COACH KILL: I think we pulled the redshirt off of Philip in the middle of the year. And he certainly played valuable time for us in the last six ball games and did very well. And it was a great growing process for him. <br>I think it leads us in to this season where we're not trying to break somebody in. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159862/mitch-leidner">Mitch Leidner</a>, a young man that we also recruited, is a tremendous athlete. <br>And I kind of compare our quarterback situation a little bit to what we had at Northern Illinois when I took over that program with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14063/chandler-harnish">Chandler Harnish</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116594/jordan-lynch">Jordan Lynch</a>, and I feel like we're kinda in that area. And also with a young man named Chris Streveler from this area.<br>So we feel good about our quarterback situation and we feel like that's going to be a strength down the road here.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Coach, could you just‑‑ more importantly than football, how is your health? </b><br>COACH KILL: I'm doing great. I appreciate you asking. Things are going great for me. And I've got a great doctor that is a specialist in epilepsy. And I've been doing great, looking forward to the season, and I feel like‑‑ I may not look like it, but I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life, so I'm looking forward to the season.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. NCAA is under fire about a lawsuit, obviously the Ed O'bannon lawsuit. Now current players are joining, including two from your team. Have you had any interaction with your players about that? Is that something you're going to stay away from? How do you handle that?</b><br>COACH KILL: I've had a little bit of interaction. I'm not‑‑ I get locked in my own little world, and I don't understand all the things that are going on with that case. And right now it's an NCAA issue. And I think each‑‑ we live in a country where everybody's got their rights and so forth. So I think just let the process run its course.<br>And we've got a lot of things, a lot of discussions in college football right now about a lot of issues. But that's one of them. And it's an NCAA issue, and that's how we're approaching it. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. I know it's not this year, but starting next year, I think for the next three seasons, you guys end the season playing Wisconsin. I know how much that rivalry means to you. Just talk about what it would be like to finish the season playing such a long‑time rival with Wisconsin. </b><br>COACH KILL: I think the great thing about our rivalry with Wisconsin is it's history. And that's what football's all about. And certainly at the end of the year, it's a tremendous game for both schools and it's an exciting time.<br>The great thing about the Big Ten is all the rivalry games that we have, and we play a lot of Bowl games within our system, so to speak. So it will be exciting time. And what I'm excited about, I think our football team's getting better. That always makes rivalries a lot more important. So that's where we're at with that.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113967/donnell-kirkwood">Donnell Kirkwood</a> is here. And just wondering what distinguishes him as a running back and how does that mean to you guys to see him emerge last year?</b><br>COACH KILL: I think if you go back through the history of not only where I've coached before but even with the Minnesota Gophers is that we've always had great running backs. And Donnell has certainly emerged with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Roderick Williams</a> and big strong physical backs, and that's kind of who we are. And that's who we want to be. <br>So he's done a great job not only on the field but he's done a great job with leadership with our younger players and has been a part of a group of kids that have really changed the culture and the character in our program. <br>So I'm very pleased with his efforts and I expect a great year out of Donnell. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. I see you have a very interesting out‑of‑conference schedule this year. You play three West Coast teams. Just wonder how your kids felt about playing games like that this year. And what are your future out‑of‑conference plans as far as scheduling goes? How do your kids feel about playing interesting games like that? They're pretty out of the ordinary. </b><br>COACH KILL: I think if you look at our schedule over the next couple of years, our schedule is very difficult. But we really, as a program right now, where we're at, every game's important to us. We try to get better every day, every week, and we're moving forward with our program. So I think with us right now, schedules and nine games and ten games and out‑of‑season scheduling is we're going to play who is put in front of us. That's pretty much the way it is.<br>I'm more worried about our football program and our football team just getting better and playing well and the rest will take care of itself.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Could you talk about <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113984/zac-epping">Zac Epping</a> and what he's brought to the table, kind of coalescing the offensive line and what the unit might look like this year?</b><br>COACH KILL: Talking about Zac Epping. Zac's a young man that, as I look through my coaching career and the successes we've had as a coaching staff, we've had offensive linemen like Zac. And Zac is a hard‑nosed, tough, physical young man, brings intensity every day. I used to talk about he's kind of what I am, a hard‑hat lunch pail type of guy that's going to come to work every day. And really when I talk about the foundation of our program, it's kids like that. And that's who we want to be.<br>And that's why I'm so excited about our season coming up is that I think we're a very young team. We'll probably start maybe one or two seniors on offense, maybe three on defense. But it's a team that I don't think they know a whole lot better. And they've worked very hard and we've got a lot of kids like Zac Epping that are very similar. <br>So we're looking forward to that. And I think that will help us get where we want to go. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. I had a question about the facilities at the University of Minnesota. You have a tremendous stadium. We've seen pictures of your locker room there. But how would the practice facilities enhance what you're trying to do with the University of Minnesota's football program?</b><br>COACH KILL: I think the biggest thing in where we're at, you know, and where our program wants to go, there's gotta be a commitment at the top, and we certainly have that with President Kaler and our administration, and we just don't want to be average. We want to be the best and as good as we can be.<br>And right now we've got a beautiful stadium, a great place to play on Saturdays. But we have to improve our practice facilities, strength training, and academic facilities. And we're doing some great things academically; we're just kind of running out of space.<br>So this is a critical project for us. And I commend Norwood and his team and our president moving it forward. And we're going to‑‑ our plan's to have one of the best indoor facilities all college football, and we don't want to do it halfway. <br>We're excited about it. It's great to be moving forward and it certainly helps you in the recruiting process and where we want to go with the football program at the University of Minnesota. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. What was your take on yesterday's scuttlebutt that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney">Jadeveon Clowney</a> hit might have been illegal he might have been ejected if that were under the new targeting rule?</b><br>COACH KILL: I think the biggest thing, and I think all the coaches and‑‑ I just recently spoke at the State of Alabama. I had a tape of fundamentals and teaching fundamentals. And I think when you have things happen in college football and you have concussions and things of that nature, there's a huge amount of awareness to make sure we teach the fundamentals. <br>We're all into the safety of the kids and football. We have a great game. It's a game that's physical. We all as coaches have to take our responsibility to make sure that we're teaching the proper fundamentals.<br>Sometimes things happen. That's part of life and part of anything. But anything we can do to teach it and do a better job for safety is important, because the bottom line is we're in this great profession because of the kids. We want to take care of the players and kids. That's our job as coaches at all times. So that would be my reaction is we've just got to make sure we take care of the kids.<br>I think college football and all the people around it are doing everything they can. And so I compliment everybody for doing that. <br>THE MODERATOR: Thank you. <br><strong></strong><br><strong>FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports</strong></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553718/minnesota-jerry-kill-big-ten-media-days-2013Luke Zimmermann2013-07-24T14:50:43-04:002013-07-24T14:50:43-04:00Ohio State's Urban Meyer at B1G Media Days 2013
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<p>In the aftermath of a tumultuous weekend/beginning of the week, Ohio State's Urban Meyer spoke to the media, mostly about off the field issues.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS</i><br><br>THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Urban Meyer. <br>COACH MEYER: Thank you very much. It's been a great year. Tough couple of days. But I'm going to focus on the positives, positives created by tremendous momentum from last year's team to an excellent recruiting class, positive spring practice, and one of the best academic performances in recent history at Ohio State. <br>A strong APR and a good bunch of guys that are for the majority doing the right things, getting themselves ready for the 13th season. <br>The leadership was probably the biggest‑‑ I spoke about this quite often about last year's outfit‑‑ it was something I didn't anticipate and I underestimated that throughout adversity that we experienced throughout the year, two overtime wins, two overtime games, some injuries where we had to move some position guys, and the leadership was incredible. One of the most refreshing years I've been around or groups I've been around. <br>This year's team has high expectations, riding off the coattails of what those kids did last year, and it's very simple that if we get tremendous leadership from our coaching staff, but most importantly our players, then we'll have a success‑‑ I feel strongly about this group having a successful season.<br>On offense, we return a bunch of experienced, including one of the best quarterbacks in America, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132058/braxton-miller">Braxton Miller</a>. Has really grown as a quarterback, has grown as a leader. Very humble young man that I have a lot of respect for. <br>It would be disappointing if our offensive line isn't one of the best in the Big Ten. I think there's some very good offensive lines in the Big Ten, and Ohio State should be right near the top with those other great lines. <br>Receiver is probably the one area we were weakest at last year, and I think this year, with the injection of some speed in the recruiting class and also development of the guys we have, that I'm really counting on them to become one of the strengths of our offense.<br>The two guys that really developed throughout the year last year, two very good tight ends in Heuerman and Vannett, and we've not traditionally been known as a two tight end offense. However, with these two talented players, you're going to see some 12 personnel, which they're two guys we have to find a way to get them on the field at the same time.<br>We have depth at tailback, and offensively I feel very strong about where we could be if we have a solid training camp. Defense is where the issues are. We lost our entire front seven. I believe we recruited well. Mike Vrabel has done a very good job developing a little bit of an esprit de corps with our defensive line, our linebackers, excuse me, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160083/noah-spence">Noah Spence</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/182133/adolphus-washington">Adolphus Washington</a> are two guys that if they continue to develop will become Big Ten candidate players as they continue in their journey and their career. <br>Inside you have <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Mike Bennett</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132070/joel-hale">Joel Hale</a>, our two guys that have talent and have really come on, and we'll try to get a little bit of rotation in there, which you need to have if you have a quality defensive line. <br>Linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135100/curtis-grant">Curtis Grant</a> has taken over. Had an excellent spring. A little bit disappointing last year, but he's become a leader like you need your mike linebacker to be and has performed really well in spring practice. <br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132060/ryan-shazier">Ryan Shazier</a> was very average as we started the season and became one of the last linebackers in the country a year ago as the season concluded. So very positive about that.<br>We don't have much depth, and we'll have to count on some freshmen to provide some instant depth at that spot. Josh Perry is a sam linebacker, and then also a nickel, it's really the same position, will be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160088/tyvis-powell">Tyvis Powell</a>. And those guys are inexperienced but very talented and right on target, and I think we'll have one of the better secondaries as well in the Big Ten.<br>So anxious to get going. Training camp is close, and I think everybody in Columbus, Ohio, and Ohio State is anxious to see what the '13 Buckeyes have in order. <br>I'll certainly answer any questions. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. Braxton Miller said earlier today that you guys got some good news concerning <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114089/carlos-hyde">Carlos Hyde</a>. How confident are you that he'll return to the team?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I didn't receive the good news. I guess I'm not a big social media guy. We just have to evaluate the facts. And once I evaluate the facts, then we'll make some decisions.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Last year obviously with the sanctions, you knew you couldn't play for a championship. How different is it this year knowing that all opportunities are available for you guys?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Well, I think last year I had a whole‑‑ I spent all summer worrying about how to approach that if that happened, where there were questions why no Bowl game, why no championship. <br>If you have a good group of leaders, that never comes up. You're going to go try to play the game and try to win the game. <br>So I'm hoping we're taking the same approach. There's been zero conversation about anything other than competing for a championship in November, which we were able to do last year. We were able to compete for the leader's division championship a year ago. That's the only conversation we have. We try to make training camp so focused and really difficult that the focus is on getting to the next day. If you do that, then that's really all you can worry about. We're certainly not worried about November, December anything past that. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. What was the process where Ohio State did end up either turning in Florida or alleging there was some illegal contact? Who was involved with that? How did it shake down?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Yeah, I found that out after the fact that our compliance office received or forwarded an article. From what I understand after the fact that the article was not the only one that was sent.<br>It was about some conversation with a bump or something like that. I'm not sure how that all became a major story. There was certainly no intent to go after Florida. So that's all I can tell you.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Urban, like you said, the past couple of days have been kind of tough on you. I got a text message today from a player of yours that used to play with you at Florida, talked about the leadership and stuff you had for him and stuff. Obviously at Ohio State you have the sign on the wall talking about doing things the right way. You talk to these players about it all the time. Were the last couple of days extremely disappointing the way some of the things turned out? Just talk about how you worked to rectify that a little bit. </b><br>COACH MEYER: It was very tough. In the last 12 months we've had three legal issues, and it all happened in three days, I think, three or four days. <br>And we had two freshmen that have been with us I think just over three weeks make two stupid decisions that were dealt with very firmly. One's been sent home. One lost his scholarship. And one of them was a 17‑year‑old using a fake ID. <br>And it drives you insane that you have to deal with that nonsense. But that's part of the issue. We had an upperclassman that I'm still receiving information about. <br>My concern is just I don't want to disrupt this team. And I talk to them all the time about it. We have an incredible amount of resources and time spent educating players how to do the right thing at the right time. And when a mistake happens or something happened, you have to react and get it done.<br>So I'm disappointed. I think furious might be the word that would best describe when I first got the phone call, because, like I said, for 12 months it's been really, really good. <br>And I don't want a disruption for this team. The guys work too hard. To have a couple of knuckleheads make some decisions that reflect the entire program, that's not‑‑ I guess it's part of the deal. It's something that bothers me, bothers our staff, and we work very hard to avoid with our players.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Two‑part question for you. Can you talk about the conversation you had with Barry Alvarez when he called you to ask about Gary Andersen, and can you talk a little bit about the relationship that you and Gary have built over several years?</b><br>COACH MEYER: Gary Andersen‑‑ first of all, I have great respect for Coach Alvarez, have for many, many years, and I was honored when he asked me for my opinion.<br>And Gary Andersen as a head coach, I think it's now the 12th year‑‑ made some very, very important hires in my career, and some guys have gone on to be very successful head coaches. I think we've had 11 guys that have been on our coaching staff since, what was it, 2001. But Gary I would put in one of the top two, three hires I've ever made, the recommendation of Utah's head coach, Kyle Whittingham. He made a direct impact on our program, and I couldn't be more proud of who he is as a person. And I think he's at the right place, a great school with a great athletic director, and really proud of Gary Andersen.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Is there anything more that you or your coaching staff could have done to prevent the issues you have had recently with the team and ultimately how much responsibility do you think is fair to be placed on a head coach when players do run afoul of things?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I think you always can do more. I mean, that's something you wake up every day with. Obviously when you're dealing with two freshmen, they have had the opportunity to go through a lot of the education, a lot of the things that we expect, our coaches. <br>The one difficult thing: When freshmen show up, coaches usually leave for vacation. And that's tough. And that's something I'm going to reevaluate, whether I keep some coaches back and try to break that up a little bit. I really thought about that, because that was really disappointing. <br>Two young people that I really don't even know yet do stupid things like that and cause for me to be discussing those two freshmen right here, that's not right. For an upperclassman, very extremely disappointed in the third situation we're dealing with. And it will be dealt with in a very serious manner. <br>But, once again, I'm getting all these different conflicting stories. I just have to wait to get the facts and react. But disruption is the biggest thing that bothers me.<br>You asked the question about the responsibility of a head coach. I think there was the head coach needs a set of standard, needs to direct, guide, mentor, push and direct these guys. Ultimately, though, every young person‑‑ every person, not young person, every person is ultimately held accountable for their decisions they make.<br>So we just gotta continue to‑‑ I'm continuing to evaluate all the things we do. That seems to be a big topic, and I'm looking‑‑ I watch very closely when I‑‑ I have a guy that watches if a certain situation takes place across the country. I want to make sure our punishment is as hard or harder than any discipline that's out there.<br>That's maybe where I've changed over the years. Even as a first‑time offense from a freshman, I want to make sure we're setting the tone.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. Prior to being hired at Ohio State, did they discuss with you the off‑the‑field issues from your players in Florida?</b><br>COACH MEYER: We did. We discussed them and what was our plan, what's our style of discipline, what are we trying to get done, and had good conversation about it.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. You are not‑‑ as you just mentioned, you're not the only coach dealing with players who get in trouble. You seem to take by far the most criticism, though, of any coach in the country involving disciplinary issues. Do you have any ideas as to why that is and does it bother you, the criticism from media, fans, over this issue?</b><br>COACH MEYER: I'm a human so it does. I don't read. I don't really get involved with following stuff, because I think people need to get facts before they start just making accusations and those type of things. I'm human and I think that is something that I'm constantly evaluating and making sure we are doing the right thing. <br>But in the end you've got to feel in your heart we're doing the right thing; that we're in the people business and we have to do what's right by those people. <br>There's never been one time that I thought that we did wrong by that person. Now, sometimes I sit back and evaluate that we give too many second chances. That seems to be a big key, and that's something I'm going to continue to evaluate. I treat those players like they're my own children. <br>We have high expectations for them. If one of your children has an issue, that you try to educate, correct, discipline, and push them in the right direction as hard as you possibly can. When I see some of the situations where some of these players are from, for me to walk away from that player has always been very, very difficult to do. That's where we're at.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. It was reported that you sent a text message saying the criticism of you or your assistant coaches at Florida regarding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10242/aaron-hernandez">Aaron Hernandez</a> was wrong and irresponsible. If you could, for that particular situation regarding Hernandez, why do you think that criticism is wrong and irresponsible? </b><br>COACH MEYER: I'm going to let you guys figure out if it's wrong or right. I can't put what's in your heart or in your mind. The only reason I sent that text, I was getting ready to leave for vacation. There was inaccurate information being sent out throughout the‑‑ some people sent me text messages about just inaccurate information. <br>So that's the only reason I sent that out, and I sent it to a couple of people I know and said this is‑‑ and I'm not sure I'm allowed to say what the actual truth was because there's investigations going on. <br>But that was four years ago a player played for us. Our staff did, as they do with all players‑‑ I've had incredible coaches, incredible players. And I think the focus a lot of times when it gets taken away from those great players who are great people and great coaches on my staff, it just bothers you a little bit. But you have to move on, and we certainly have.<br><b></b><br><b>Q. When it comes to off‑the‑field issues and player discipline, how do you view your own reputation? </b><br>COACH MEYER: How do I view my own reputation? I don't view my own reputation. I guess a reputation is what others think of you. I worry more about our team, about our players. I'm 49 years old. I've been doing this for a long time. So I'm really good‑‑ it doesn't mean‑‑ I ask our players to self‑evaluate. We had a big study about it this year.<br>When I started going through my mind starting to do some research on my own, every three recruits across the country that come down the aisle of your team meeting room, one gets maximized, one either usually disappears or doesn't make it, and then one's very average. <br>So I had our players self‑evaluate, and our coaching staff is on a mission through things like job fairs and Real Life Wednesdays and other leadership workshops to make sure that with all the powerful and resource‑‑ all the powerful people and resources at universities, that these kids should be getting as much education, as much direction as possible. <br>So I know that's a long answer, but I'm not‑‑ I can't control‑‑ I think I tried to do that once; it didn't work out very well. So I'm not going to control what people think about myself or our program. <br><b></b><br><b>Q. You've talked repeatedly about the importance of the strong leadership that you have with last year's team. Who are some of the specific players that you're looking for to step up and fill some of those gaps from last year?</b><br>COACH MEYER: That's going to be the difference. The older I get and the better teams I've been around over this last decade of football. The one comment it wasn't the style of offense, it wasn't the style of defense, it wasn't the height, weight, size, how high you jump, how fast you run, it's the leadership within the program. <br>The '06 team with a guy like Brandon Siler who is one of the best leaders I've been around, and you go right through the teams in the last years. And so I'm counting‑‑ our quarterback has to become that great leader. I think he was pretty good. I think he was okay the last year by the time the season started winding down. But our offensive line is, without question, the heart and soul of our team.<br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77272/jack-mewhort">Jack Mewhort</a>, Norwell, Hall and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114101/corey-linsley">Corey Linsley</a> and those guys are strong leaders, they're the voice, they're the face of our program, which is if you're going to start somewhere, it's gotta be a quarterback on your offensive line. <br>Where it has to improve is on defense, where you lost Simon and Boren and Curtis Grant and Shazier. You have to have a strong‑‑ we have to be strong down the middle. Our two safeties will be tremendous leaders for us, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114076/christian-bryant">Christian Bryant</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77255/c-j-barnett">C.J. Barnett</a>. <br>We spent a lot of time this last‑‑ I think it's been about nine, ten weeks we've had leadership class for 19 players on our team, and we've had an outside group come in and work with us, our strength coach and myself. Has been one of the most profound experiences I've been around as far as teaching these guys a systematic approach to teaching leadership, which we've always tried to teach it. It's never been this systematic. <br>THE MODERATOR: Thank you. <br><strong></strong><br><strong>FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports</strong></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/7/24/4553676/ohio-state-urban-meyer-big-ten-media-days-2013Luke Zimmermann