University of Houston Athletics
Weekly Football Press Luncheon
10/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2003
On the win over Tulane Oct. 11
"The best thing about the win (over Tulane) was that we got to 2-0 in conference and further set ourselves up to make a run at this thing (C-UA Championship). That's the best thing. It was a big win for us against a quality team that went 8-5 last year and won a bowl game.
"The thing I'm really encouraged about more than anything else through these first six games is that we've played four on the road and have been fortunate enough to win three of those. I think that's a testament to our mental toughness and physical strength. We're doing well. We're certainly not where we need to be or where we want to be, but we're on the right foot. We just need to keep taking steps in the positive direction and develop as a football team.
"The Tulane game was a good win for our program, but now we need to turn our focus to Memphis."
On if he is surprised on being 5-1 at this point in the season
"I wouldn't say surprised and I wouldn't even say pleased. I would say that we're on a journey, on a path, and right now we're making the right turns at the right times. We're going in a positive direction, but we certainly haven't gotten to where we need to be."
Is it a concern that the team may look pass Memphis game this weekend and look ahead to TCU, who could be nationally ranked next week when they come to Robertson Stadium next weekend (Oct. 25)?
"I don't think it's a concern. I think our guys are intelligent and mature enough to understand that if you don't take care of today, tomorrow never happens. We'll take care of this game, Memphis has a great football team. I'm certainly not focused on who we have next (after Memphis), and I don't think our players are, either."
On Houston becoming bowl eligible (with six wins)
"Of course that's a goal any football team has, and is certainly one of ours. But like we talked about earlier, we've broken our season down into three parts. We're 2-0 in our second phase, and we have two more games in that four, have an open date and finish up the last four (games). We'll take care of business here in the next few weeks and hopefully reach that goal and make it a reality."
On the possibility of Houston being the C-USA Champion and playing in the Liberty Bowl
"We want to win the conference championship, and that equates to the Liberty Bowl. I think that all teams should have that goal if they play in a conference, you ought to play in it to win the championship, and we're certainly no different."
On giving himself credit for the team's success
"I give credit to our players, first of all, because the first thing I noticed last December when we got on the job is that I thought they had an eagerness and a hunger to win. They wanted to win, and if people want to win, then they are willing to sacrifice to work. And our players have done that. I think it's been a combined effort by a lot of people, a lot of players, and even to a certain extent the University and the people involved with the University as far as wanting to move forward with the program. In three or four weeks from now, if we can take care of business, maybe we can settle down and look back we can say we did things right. But as of right now, we haven't accomplished anything. We're a 2-0 football team in conference, 5-1 overall. Is that bowl eligibile? No. Are we conference champions? No. We're still putting on our shoes trying to go out there and do something - we haven't done anything yet."
On throwing a freshman quarterback (Kevin Kolb) out there each start
"It's not anything. I've said this back in July and I feel the same way now, I think a lot of times it's an advantage coming right out of high school and playing as opposed to going and sitting on the bench for 2-3 years and then getting your chance to play. He's (Kolb) just continuing what he did in high school, nothing has changed for him. The pace of the game had changed a little bit, the terminology in some areas. But he's still playing football, and that's what he's been doing since the seventh grade just like the rest of these guys (Houston football players). It's no different for him."
On how important the maintenance of a home field advantage is at Robertson Stadium
"Home field advantage is unparalleled. We've had great support here our first two home games and certainly don't expect anything different for the Memphis game. It's a great boost for us, something that our players look forward to and something we look forward to as a staff."
On the Cougars' home schedule this season
"I think the schedule is set fine for us. We've certainly got six really tough oponents left. Every week is a new challenge, a new opportunity and a new grind, and we'll fight through each one of them. We do have some things leaning in our favor, and that's because of what we did the first six games. We took care of business in the first six, and now we have to do the same thing in the last six."
On Memphis' offense
"I think they're really good, I really do. I think Tommy West (head coach) does an outstanding job. He's a very experienced coach and has done well everywhere he has been. Then they bring in Joe Lee Dunn as the defensive coordinator, who is considered one of the best in the nation at his job. They (Tigers) have excellent personnel and great schemes. They put 567 yards on Mississippi State last weekend, which is the fourth-best total in their history. They beat Ole Miss, Ole Miss beat Florida. They have people who can play. Flip the coin and we're not too shabby ourselves. Whatever our concerns are for them, I would certainly hope they have some concerns in talking about us also."
What changes did you make with this team upon becoming head coach to begin the turnaround - did you have to change the mindset of the players?
"No, I don't think so. Any time there is a coaching change, there might be new hope, but there's also new relationships that have to be formed. A lot of these players came from a lot of different areas; they're recruited by different people and responded to different folks. So, the first thing you have to do is make sure that there is a trust and loyalty between who you are working with on a daily basis. And I think that's the first thing you have to do, and of course, that was my first priority. I'm certainly going to trust our players and I want them to trust me, and I'm going to be loyal to them and expect the same in return. We're going to treat them with honesty and integrity, and I think if you do those things, then you have a chance to develop relationships. And through that comes proper work ethic and hopefully production on the field."
On him going in the weight room with the players and working out with them
"We all love our jobs, and I'm not going to ask them (the players) to do something I won't do. I'm not going to sit on the sidelines at practice and expect them to practice alone. If the Lord has given me the physical ability to do something, I'm going to do it the best of my ability. If I take a lazy step, that's my fault. And I expect our players to be the same way."
