Why should a student-athlete attend UW-RF?
I would hope that academic interest would be the most important factor in making a decision. If a young man knows what his interests are then he should eliminate any school that cannot offer him the degree he wants. If he is not sure then he should consider schools that offer a wide variety of majors. We do that here at UW-River Falls. If facilities are important I think we can show off for the first time in a while. We have an NFL grade training and locker room complex. We have a new apartment style residence hall. We will open our new Student Center in the spring of 2007. We are also going to renovate our stadium that will include a new field turf surface. Upwards of $5 million has been earmarked toward a $30 million physical education facility that we hope will be built in the near future. UW-River Falls has always been known for its people. Our campus is overflowing with professors, teachers, custodians, secretaries and others who care about our students. We are a teaching institution! Our best teachers teach - they don't spend all of their time on research.
What is your coaching philosophy?
The best teams that I've seen, played on, and coached have a number of things in common: 1) nobody is more important than the team!; 2) everyone believes in each other!; 3) they do not beat themselves!
My philosophy is to try to develop these characteristics every year!
What are some of the characteristics you want to see in your players?
I get most excited when we recruit a young man who has a proven academic record in high school and also demonstrates a sincere passion to compete. We also like these young men to display a sense of humility and an understanding of what it means to sacrifice oneself for the overall good of the TEAM!
What are the strengths of the coaching staff?
We treat people with respect. We demand their best. We stress and display the importance of family.
What is your greatest moment or experience as a coach?
I have been fortunate to be a part of a program that has developed an abundance of great teachers and coaches. In 2002 we had three of our graduates win State football titles. I was there for all of them! That is a special experience. In 2000 two of our graduates went head-to-head for a State title. One of them won and the other, of course, lost. Following the game it is tradition that both teams take team photographs. When this was completed, something very unique occurred. Both teams joined together; coaches, players and managers. A picture was taken with opponent standing next to opponent and rival coaches standing side by side. This is River Falls at its best. Where else can you find this kind of camaraderie?
If you're looking for a single moment or play in my 17 years, this is a tough question. We, as coaches, remember the tough losses more than the wins. However, in 1995 we played in our first ever NCAA playoff game at Central, Iowa. Central is a perennial participant in these playoffs. It was a great game. Both defenses played well. Late in the fourth quarter Central scored the first touchdown of the game and went ahead, 7-3. It looked bleak. However, on a first-and-10 play our quarterback executed a perfect play action pass and threw a strike to our wide receiver for the winning touchdown (22-yards)! This stands out - however - don't forget our field goal kicker hitting his long attempt (42-yards) into the wind; don't forget our kickoff return team returning the ball to near the 50 yard line to set up our final drive; don't forget our defense stopping Central's great offense time after time. Winning is always about the whole team rather than any single individual!
The Falcons competed in the NCAA Playoffs in 1995 and 1996. What have those experiences meant to you personally and the Falcon football program?
Our 1995 and 1996 teams developed such tremendous confidence in their collective abilities that when they walked on the field they truly expected to win! We have lost that feeling lately. We are trying to get our players to believe in themselves and their collective abilities as we did in 1995 and 1996.
The WIAC is one of the top Div. III conferences in the nation. Describe what it's like to week in and week out compete against those great teams.
You truly must play well every week. You cannot be too emotional one week and down the next. You must be mentally tough enough to play well in every fourth quarter of every game.
The 2006 Falcons will utilize the zone offense after running the wishbone offense for several seasons. Why the change?
There are so many reasons for a change in our offensive system. This was something that I've been considering for almost two years. The bottom line is this: our offense, as of late, has been turnover ridden (76 fumbles; 45 lost in the last three seasons) and that must change. This new style should reduce our lost fumbles. This alone should improve our chances of winning.
UW-RF uses the 3-5-3 defense - what is the Falcon defensive philosophy?
We think this style fits our talent and abilities best. We don't have, and can't get enough, big, mobile defensive linemen. This defense allows us to play with more linebacker types. We have more linebackers than we have defensive linemen and this is the case in most of college football.
Special teams always play a key role in games - what is the Falcon special teams philosophy?
We spend at least 25 minutes everyday on special teams. I don't know if any other college puts as much time into this as we do. Special teams play can win and lose games. Blocked punts are as sever a blow to your ability to win a game as any other disaster. You must practice these things. We won a game in overtime last year (13-10 vs. Oshkosh). We won because our defense played well, our offense didn't make too many mistakes and when it came down to it our snapper made a great snap, our holder a great hold, our kicker a great kick and out protectors did their job. It all looks easy when done right! Getting it done right takes repetitions in practice.
Overall, what are the 2006 Falcon football team goals?
This team needs to develop a true feeling of confidence. We are not a confident group right now. They have little proof from our most recent seasons. Everything we do will be about developing confidence in themselves and their collective abilities.
The 2006 schedule features games against three national championship playoff teams (St. John's, St. Francis, Whitewater), plus the rest of the highly competitive WIAC. Discuss this year's schedule and UW-RF's ability to attract some strong teams to compete against.
This is the most exciting schedule we've had for many years. St. John's - I am now reading a book (The Sweet Season by Austin Murphy) that was written about their 1999 season. All of our alumni and fans should read it! For 10 years we have not backed down from any challenge (24 games vs. scholarship schools). We have played a predominantly Div. II non-conference schedule. From this experience I hope our players can go to Collegeville with complete respect for our opponents, but also a belief and confidence that we will compete against one of the best coaches and programs that college football has had! Ironically in 1999 Pacific Lutheran won the National title and defeated St. John's, at St. John's, in the playoffs. We are 1-1 (28-24 loss in 2004, 45-14 win in 2005) against them the past two years. I admire that program as I do St. John's. Their players compete; but it is not a life and death issue. When the game is over, we shake hands and thank them for playing a game that we all love with great intensity and desire! St. Francis is a tough NAIA school. We have our work cut out for us. Their speed and skill is beyond ours. We must play sound, fundamental football. If we do, it will come down to the fourth quarter.
Discuss UWRF's football facilities; locker room, training room, fields.
The recent addition of our training room and locker rooms are as good as it gets. It is an NFL type facility complete with carpeting, air conditioning, sound system and video projection. We can finally say we've got something that is the best! |
