University of Houston Athletics
Football Media Day Quotes
8/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Quotes from University of Houston Football Media Day
Saturday, August 12, 2006 * Houston, Texas * Athletics/Alumni Center
HEAD COACH Art Briles
On the season:
"We are very excited about the season. When we (the coaching staff) came in here three years ago to the University of Houston they had won eight games in the previous three years and had been to one bowl game in the previous 15 seasons; this team has been to two bowl games in three years. We have brought respect back to our program. Now we want to bring championships (to Houston). Our goals and our aspirations and our expectations have risen considerably and for good reason because we have proven what we can do on the field and now we have to take it to the next level. We are in good shape to do that because we have outstanding senior leadership and we have guys who have bled the blood for us and know what it takes to win and what it takes to be a champion. We have the pieces to the puzzle; we just have to put them together."
"Our main focus is playing together as a team, staying healthy and staying hungry. We want to be the best conditioned, strongest football team in the nation. There are some things that you can't control and that is something you can control. We have worked very hard here since January. Coach (Larry) Jackson has come in here and done a great job with our strength and conditioning. Coach (Chad) Dennis has also come in here and done a great job."
"We want to be an intelligent and tough defense. We understand you have to play great defense to win championships. We want to be consistent in the special teams, which is an area we feel we will be much improved in and we want to be productive offensively. When we get down across the 50-yard-line we want to come away with points. We want to be consistent and intelligent on the offensive side of the ball. "
On the preseason expectations:
"We feel like we should be considered for the conference championship every year and a separate bowl game. We go into each season, each game, each practice, and each day expecting to perform at our best levels. We are going to put enough expectations on ourselves so those (outside expectations) are welcome and appreciated."
On the team's veteran players:
"It starts with the offensive line and the defensive line. That's where you win football games and those are the positions we are going to be very intelligent in with recruiting and handling those players. It's a huge advantage to have skilled people back in positions where they understand what is going on. Having Kevin (Kolb) back is an extension of what we try to do from the offensive standpoint and he is able to do it with a great ability. That's a big plus for us. What's great about Kevin is that when he sees something on the field it is usually something that has been seen time and time again so he is going to do the things on the field that he knows are going to give us a chance to succeed. Having Will (Gulley) back adds depth to our secondary and allows us to move some people around and get people on the field that we feel are ready to play. Will is an outstanding player; he is a tough kid and a smart kid so that is a benefit to us. We have 10 starters back on the offensive side of the ball so it changes our approach a little bit on how we prepare for the season because we have an experienced football team. Our men up front are the ones that have to control the game for us.
On the team's strength and conditioning:
"(Being able to workout in the off-season) is going to help a whole lot. We have a month to workout before the first game. In 1966, guys did not work out year-round. You had to come in the first month and get them in shape. Now, what we have to do is make sure they maintain that shape, keep their strength up, their ability and their wind up. It's not like we have to use two weeks to get them in shape. They are in shape and we have to keep them fresh and hungry and then keep their mind right on and off the field. When we get to September 2nd we are going to be ready to play a football game. They have done a great job preparing themselves and getting ready for this season. We have five games in the month of September so we are gearing up to go as we speak."
On the Rice game:
"I think Coach (Todd) Graham has come in there and done a great job raising their expectations and getting their hopes up. It's always going to be a huge game for us because it's a conference game and it has been our focus since the schedule came out."
On changes to the defensive staff:
"We are very pleased to have Coach (Alan) Weddell as our defensive coordinator. He is going to do an outstanding job and he has a lot of passion and intelligence. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the game. I think it's going to be an exciting style of defense. I am really proud of the staff we have in place, all the way through the support staff. We have coaches that care and coaches with passion. We have coaches that care about winning and when you have them around young people everyday it rubs off. If you hang around people that are passionate and that care you have a good chance it's going to follow up."
