Spread Offense Official Website

Q . Are you happy at Michigan?

 

A . It's funny because everyone says, 'Are you happy? Is your wife and family happy?' I guess we are, but my happiness is relative to winning, and most coaches would say that. If we could be undefeated, I'd be living in north Alaska and be happy.

We're as happy as you could be with the season we had (last year).

 

Q . Coming out of spring, the quarterback talk was focused on (freshman) Tate Forcier. Of course Nick (Sheridan, who started four games) got hurt, but no one seems to mention him as a viable candidate.

 

A . Which is a shame because Nick should be mentioned. Nick's not conceding the job. He's going to compete for it. If you ask the coaches, Nick Sheridan is going to be in the mix. Denard (Robinson) and Tate will be, as well.

 

Q . So you could conceivably not name a starting quarterback until kickoff of the opener (against Western Michigan)?

 

A . I've never been one to name a starter too early. I think that's a mistake. We could go up to a couple days before the first game or afterwards. I'm hoping we don't have one guy. I'm hoping we have two, three guys we could win with. That's the goal.

 

Q . What does new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson bring to the table?

 

A . One, I felt he could look at what we have and be able to have enough flexibility to adjust our schemes to fit what we have personnel-wise. And two, be able to foster chemistry between staff and players.

 

Q . Do you think defenses are catching up to the spread?

 

A . No. ... There were two spread teams playing for the national championship.

 

The spread is not a particular offense. It's a variety of offenses. Most spreads are. Ours is a little more variety.

 

To say they've caught up to (the spread), people are saying it without looking at the facts.

 

Q . Certainly, I'm not asking you to predict your record this fall, but what would satisfy you?

 

A . Our first goal of the year is to compete for a Big Ten championship. You have to win a lot of games to do that. That's our goal and always will be.

 

As far as putting 'X' number of wins on it, if we had more experience at certain positions and more depth at certain positions, I could confidently say, 'Hey, I know we'll be right there at the top.' ... But because we still have quite a few question marks -- and I certainly think we'll be better -- there's going to be a little more luck involved this year than hopefully we'll need in the future.

 

Q . So would you be happy with, say, 6-6? Would that be progress?

 

A . No because you're not winning. The progress for us is competing for a championship. If we're not competing for a championship at the end of the year, then we're not going to be particularly happy.

I can promise you that no one wants and expects more than the players and coaches. ... We want to compete for championships. We won't be satisfied until we get there.

 

Q . Michigan, as you know, isn't used to a 3-9 season and no bowl. Were fans tough on you?

 

A . Not in person. There probably were a lot of things said out there and there may have been things written. I didn't pay any attention to it. ...

 

Most of the fans I've talked to know we're working on it. That's the only thing I've said -- be patient. Be patient because I think you'll like what you see eventually. Hopefully it will be sooner than later, so hang in there with us.

 

Q . A lot of things you've said have been dissected ...

 

A . There were a lot of things taken out of context. I'm not naïve enough to think anybody is happy with what went on in the past, but the only thing we've focused on is, here's what we've got to do to get our program to where we're competing for championships.

 

Q . Was the cupboard bare when you got to Michigan?

 

A . No, and I never said (that, and) you never heard any of the coaches say that.

 

Q . But it was inferred.

 

A . We were certainly inexperienced offensively, and that was obvious we didn't have a lot of guys who had played a lot. The reason wasn't because they didn't have any talent, but there had been a whole lot of talent in front of them (that graduated). Last year, you didn't know truly what you had until you played some games with the guys.

 

Q . Has any of the negative (comments) after leaving West Virginia and then having a 3-9 season hurt you?

 

A . Oh, yeah. If a coach says he's totally immune to criticism, he's lying. You want to make everybody happy, but you realize you can't. It's a humbling profession, and I've gotten humbled many times before, and I'll get humbled many times in the future.

 

The criticism on the football part doesn't hurt nearly as much as the criticism on the integrity part. That part completely bothers you.

 

Q . Have you been back to West Virginia?

 

A . I've been back a couple times, and I've talked to some folks there. I think there was some misperception that I was mad at the state. I've kept in contact with a whole lot of people and some have come to every game here, but there are some who are always going to be upset, and that's life. That's my home and my family's home, and it's a special place for me.

 

Q . Mark Dantonio recently said Michigan State is his final destination. How about you?

 

A . Where do you go from Michigan? I mean, realistically, as a coach, if you get in this profession, there are a handful of schools where you'd like to finish your career.

 

I love everything that Michigan is about. I'd love to be able to finish it off here. I don't see myself coaching until I'm 80.

 

Q . You came in last year and changed a few things. Are there any Michigan traditions you might change this year?

 

A . I'm trying to think there's no helmet changes, of course. Nobody's wearing No. 1 this year. Captains sorry, I'm still doing game captains and picking permanent captains at the end of the year.

 

Q . Michigan has 15 verbal commitments for 2010, including only two from Michigan. Michigan State's six commitments are all from Michigan. Is it fair to say MSU has dominated in-state recruiting?

 

A . To judge on that and give a perception that one school is dominating the state ... I don't know how much validity there is to that. I know the last couple years, the recruiting classes we've got, what we've felt are the best players in the state. Our primary focus in recruiting starts in Michigan and expands in other areas of the Midwest and then south.

 

Q . But there seems to be the perception that Michigan State is taking over the state in recruiting

 

A . Last I checked, Mike Martin and Will Campbell were playing for Michigan.

 

Depending on your agenda, whoever you talk to, whatever their agenda is will lead the conversation. I feel pretty good about our reputation in state.