Here's a transcript of Paul Rhoads' conference call with media on Friday. See Saturday's Star for analysis:
PAUL RHOADS?
--Opening statement
“Let me start off by saying that it’s great to be an Auburn Tiger. Very excited to be here and very grateful for Coach Tuberville giving me this opportunity. Excited to get to work just as quick as we can.”
--What changed in six years, since you turned down the job in 2002?
“That was quick. I thought it might take three or four questions before we got into that. What appeals to me obviously is the chance to compete at the very highest level in college football. I don’t think there’s much argument that the Southeastern Conference is the premier football conference in the country. The opportunity to meet that challenge head on at an institution that plays football as well as Auburn University does, that was the obvious appeal to me.
“My profession is very nomadic, as you all know, but if you look at my track record, I don’t follow that. I’ve been very stable in my stops and my progression along the way, and, after two years at Pittsburgh, after just taking over and getting started on what we feel was a very exciting run, I didn’t think it was time to uproot that quickly. We had a very good football team. We were 12th in the country in total defense at that time, and the year after I turned this opportunity down we were seventh in the country. We thought we had a chance to win our league and be there to challenge on the national scene. That’s why it wasn’t right at the time. For the reasons that it wasn’t right at that time, it has been now, and I’m very eager and excited to be here.”
--Your view on your career decisions over the years, why you've stayed put longer?
“Well, I think, I don’t know if you set out with a thought in mind of building a resume completely when you make all of those decisions, but I started at the entry level and then continuing on up that progression by level of conference, I feel, and by level of position, and when I finally got the opportunity to be a defensive coordinator at Pitt in 2000 and then getting two years into that, I just didn’t think that was the right time. And there are other reasons that don’t need to be brought up that didn’t affect the decision as much as two years was too soon to jump at that time. By staying there eight years and the things that we accomplished in that time, I think it provides the right time to leap and meet this next opportunity head on here in the SEC and at Auburn University.”
--Schemes stay the same? How do AU's schemes mix and match with what you do?
“I think the obvious is that Auburn finished sixth in the country in total defense, I believe. So coming in with broom and sweeping everything clean and making wholesale adjustments and changes would be quite foolish. At the same time, we played pretty good defense ourselves, and I obviously have confidence in my background and the things that we have done over the years to be successful, so we’ll take a fast look at what we’re doing here, what’s been very good and why it’s been very good and continue to do that. Then at the same time, we’ll start to mesh things that I know are going to work well and have been successful and put together what’s going to be a very fine Auburn offense in 2008.”
--Auburn ran a mix of 3-4 and 4-3 last season. How does your past match?
“It’s too early to really get in great detail about that. My background is not as much 3-4 as was ran last year, but certainly the 4-3 scheme will stay as a staple within the defense. I’m excited to get more involved with 3-4 scheme. We did play a 30 front, played it situationally and played it quite well, but not as extensive as they have here, and I look forward to getting more involved in that in the months and weeks to come.”
--What is your basic philosophy?
“I’ll start out with the fact that we are going to be fundamentally sound before I even talk scheme. I know we’ve already talked 4-3 and 3-4. Before we ever talk scheme, we are going to be very fundamentally sounds. By that I mean, we’re going to backpedal well. We’re going to take great steps as linebackers. We’re going to get off and use our hands well. We’re going to do all of the things that a great defensive football team does fundamentally. We’re going to be sound schematically as a defense. We’re going to have people in the gaps that they’re supposed to be in. We’re going to have people deep and keep offensive players in front of us. We’re going to do all of those things, regardless of scheme. We’re going to tackle extremely well. It’s obvious that the better athletes that you’re playing with, the better tacklers you’re going to have, but I believe wholeheartedly that you can teach tackling. You can teach average athletes to be great tacklers and great athletes to be even better tacklers. And we’re going to run to the football. Those things I can guarantee you.
“From a schematic standpoint, we’ll blend fronts. We’ll play a mix of zone. We’ll play a mix of zone pressure and we’ll play a mix of blitz. That’s very generally stated, but we’re going to use all of those tools. We’re going to use all of those coverages. Percentages will very from week to week, and that often depends on an opponent and what they’re trying to accomplish. Those first four things I can guarantee you’ll see on the football field.”
--What is your recruiting schedule for this weekend?
“I have no thorough idea at this point. As a matter of fact, I was just handed an itinerary and a list of recruits and families that are going to be on campus this weekend and haven’t had a chance to really talk about it in any great detail, but I will be jumping into it with both feet and looking forward to meeting all of the recruits and their families as well as our player hosts that are going to be around this weekend.”
--What was the time frame of your contact with Tommy Tuberville about the job?
“No, I really don’t want to get into that. Coach Tuberville will certainly address that if it becomes an appropriate time to do so. I’m happy to be here today and very eager to get started.”
--You were valedictorian of your high school. Were you a serious student?
“The graduating class was somewhere in the neighborhood of 330, I believe. I really don’t know if I can say that I was really that serious of a student. I come from an educational background. My father was a high school teacher and a high school football coach. My mother was also a teacher, although she long given than up to raise five children by the time I was of age. I’m the youngest of five, but I did enjoy school. I do enjoy the educational process, and that’s true today with football. I think the educational process in coaching is ongoing. It takes place every day. It’s one of the things that drives me on a daily basis to become a better football coach.”
--Are your kids coming now or later?
“Family is awfully important to me, and we’ll get them down here as soon as we can. Most people back home and most people we’re associated with just assume that they will finish out the school year and then move. My wife and I want to get them down here as fast as we can and get them around the Auburn family and the Auburn community. We want to get them into these schools down here and hopefully make some buddies as fast as they can and get involved in the local athletics and head into the summer time with a good group of friends they can be associated with.”
Friday, January 18, 2008
Hello again, and Rhoads is official
I'm back from vacation and ready to get a coordinator search over with. This from Auburn athletics media relations just a few minutes ago:
AUBURN NAMES PAUL RHOADS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
AUBURN—Paul Rhoads, who served as defensive coordinator forthe past eight seasons at Pittsburgh, has been named defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Auburn, announced head coach TommyTuberville Friday.
In his eight seasons as defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, Rhoads also oversaw the secondary from 2000-06 and linebackers in 2007.
“We’re excited to have Paul join our staff,” Tuberville said. “He fit everything that we were looking for in a defensive coordinator. Paul brings great experience and enthusiasm, he’s agreat recruiter and I really like his philosophy on teaching techniques and fundamentals.”
Rhoads’ defenses’ at Pitt regularly were among the nation’s leaders in various categories, finishing fifth nationally in total defense in 2007 allowing just 297.7 yards per game.
This past season, Rhoads’ Pittsburgh defense, held a high-powered West Virginia offense to a season-low nine points.
The Panthers were third nationally in pass defense allowing just 167.3 yards per game in 2007.
Under his direction, Pitt's defense has been regularly listed among the nation's leaders in various defensive categories. His track record of success led The Sporting News to name him the Big East's best defensive coordinator in its 2006 college football annual.
“I’m happy and very excited to be an Auburn Tiger,” Rhoads said. “My family and I are thrilled about being a part of the Auburn Family and the Auburn community. I truly appreciate the opportunity that Coach Tuberville and Auburn have given me and can’t wait to get started. I look forward to the challenge of competing in theSoutheastern Conference, which is the best conference in the country,and helping Auburn compete for a national title.”
With an aggressive philosophy, Rhoads’ Pitt defenses scored 10 defensive touchdowns during three seasons from 2004-06, including four in 2006, one shy of the school record. In 2004, Pitt ranked ninth nationally with 17 interceptions en route to the Big East title and Fiesta Bowl berth.
During Pitt’s victorious Insight Bowl season in 2002, the unit played at its highest level since the late 1980s. The Panthers ranked among the nation’s top 25 in seven different categories and allowed their fewest points in a season since 1988, despite playing in a school-record 13 games.
In 2001, the Panthers gave up just 7.4 points and 182.6 yards over a five-game winning streak heading into the Florida Tangerine Bowl. The unit ranked among the nation’s top 30 in five different categories at season’s end. Additionally, Pitt finished with 38 quarterbacksacks, its highest sack total since the 1987 season.
As secondary coach, Rhoads had five players taken in the last six NFL drafts, including 2006 Thorpe Award Finalist Darrelle Revis, who was the first secondary player selected.
Prior to his arrival at Pittsburgh, Rhoads coached five seasons (1995-99) at Iowa State, where he was the secondary coach his last four years after coaching the inside linebackers in 1995. Rhoads also assisted with the Cyclones' special teams.
Rhoads, 40, spent three years at Pacific, from 1992-94, serving as the defensive backs coach and, in his final season, coordinator of the Tigers' pass defense. In 1993, Pacific ranked 20th nationally, allowing just 152 yards passing per game.
Rhoads began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State (1991) and Utah State (1989-90), working with the secondary at both schools.
Rhoads was a three-year letterman at Missouri Western from 1986-88, where he was a defensive back. A 1989 graduate of Missouri Western with a bachelor's degree in economics, Rhoads was the recipient of the Chris Faros Scholarship, honoring the program's top senior student-athlete. Rhoads earned a master’s degree from Utah State in 1991.
A native of Ankeny, Iowa, Rhoads was a prep special mention all-state free safety and valedictorian of his high school class. He and his wife, Vickie, have two sons, Jacob (13) and Wyatt (11).
We're expecting to have a media conference call with Rhoads this afternoon. More later and in Saturday's Star.
AUBURN NAMES PAUL RHOADS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
AUBURN—Paul Rhoads, who served as defensive coordinator forthe past eight seasons at Pittsburgh, has been named defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Auburn, announced head coach TommyTuberville Friday.
In his eight seasons as defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, Rhoads also oversaw the secondary from 2000-06 and linebackers in 2007.
“We’re excited to have Paul join our staff,” Tuberville said. “He fit everything that we were looking for in a defensive coordinator. Paul brings great experience and enthusiasm, he’s agreat recruiter and I really like his philosophy on teaching techniques and fundamentals.”
Rhoads’ defenses’ at Pitt regularly were among the nation’s leaders in various categories, finishing fifth nationally in total defense in 2007 allowing just 297.7 yards per game.
This past season, Rhoads’ Pittsburgh defense, held a high-powered West Virginia offense to a season-low nine points.
The Panthers were third nationally in pass defense allowing just 167.3 yards per game in 2007.
Under his direction, Pitt's defense has been regularly listed among the nation's leaders in various defensive categories. His track record of success led The Sporting News to name him the Big East's best defensive coordinator in its 2006 college football annual.
“I’m happy and very excited to be an Auburn Tiger,” Rhoads said. “My family and I are thrilled about being a part of the Auburn Family and the Auburn community. I truly appreciate the opportunity that Coach Tuberville and Auburn have given me and can’t wait to get started. I look forward to the challenge of competing in theSoutheastern Conference, which is the best conference in the country,and helping Auburn compete for a national title.”
With an aggressive philosophy, Rhoads’ Pitt defenses scored 10 defensive touchdowns during three seasons from 2004-06, including four in 2006, one shy of the school record. In 2004, Pitt ranked ninth nationally with 17 interceptions en route to the Big East title and Fiesta Bowl berth.
During Pitt’s victorious Insight Bowl season in 2002, the unit played at its highest level since the late 1980s. The Panthers ranked among the nation’s top 25 in seven different categories and allowed their fewest points in a season since 1988, despite playing in a school-record 13 games.
In 2001, the Panthers gave up just 7.4 points and 182.6 yards over a five-game winning streak heading into the Florida Tangerine Bowl. The unit ranked among the nation’s top 30 in five different categories at season’s end. Additionally, Pitt finished with 38 quarterbacksacks, its highest sack total since the 1987 season.
As secondary coach, Rhoads had five players taken in the last six NFL drafts, including 2006 Thorpe Award Finalist Darrelle Revis, who was the first secondary player selected.
Prior to his arrival at Pittsburgh, Rhoads coached five seasons (1995-99) at Iowa State, where he was the secondary coach his last four years after coaching the inside linebackers in 1995. Rhoads also assisted with the Cyclones' special teams.
Rhoads, 40, spent three years at Pacific, from 1992-94, serving as the defensive backs coach and, in his final season, coordinator of the Tigers' pass defense. In 1993, Pacific ranked 20th nationally, allowing just 152 yards passing per game.
Rhoads began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State (1991) and Utah State (1989-90), working with the secondary at both schools.
Rhoads was a three-year letterman at Missouri Western from 1986-88, where he was a defensive back. A 1989 graduate of Missouri Western with a bachelor's degree in economics, Rhoads was the recipient of the Chris Faros Scholarship, honoring the program's top senior student-athlete. Rhoads earned a master’s degree from Utah State in 1991.
A native of Ankeny, Iowa, Rhoads was a prep special mention all-state free safety and valedictorian of his high school class. He and his wife, Vickie, have two sons, Jacob (13) and Wyatt (11).
We're expecting to have a media conference call with Rhoads this afternoon. More later and in Saturday's Star.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The rest of the story
A little more on the story that we ran on the page 5C dealing with the future of a playoff system in college football.
From the AJC story ...
Here is how the other presidents responded when asked which of four categories best summarized their stance:
It’s time for a playoff but I’m not sure about this particular model.
— Henry Bienen, Northwestern
— Richard Brodhead, Duke
— Jack Hawkins, Troy
— Robert Khayat, Ole Miss
— Steadman Upham, Tulsa
Brodhead said an eight-team playoff “makes the season too long” but “we might well support a four-team playoff.”
I’m not sure what the right answer is, but it’s time to at least talk about a playoff.
— James Barker, Clemson
— Scott Cowen, Tulane
— Robert Foglesong, Mississippi State
— Judy Genshaft, South Florida
— James Ramsey, Louisville
— Martha Saunders, Southern Miss
Said Ramsey: “On the surface, I think there needs to be careful analysis of a playoff - and if the analysis supports such a playoff, I would be in full favor.”
I think college football should stick with the BCS.
— David Ashley, UNLV
— Ray Authement, Louisiana-Lafayette
— Brady Deaton, Missouri
— Dave Frohnmayer, Oregon
— Jo Ann Gora, Ball State
— John Hennessy, Stanford
— Richard McCormick, Rutgers
— Sean O’Keefe, LSU
— Graham Spanier, Penn State
— Marlene Strathe, Oklahoma State
— Lee Todd, Kentucky
— John White, Arkansas
— John Wiley, Wisconsin
— Robert Witt, Alabama
Adams is sure to meet the most resistance from his fellow presidents at Big Ten and Pac-10 schools, who prefer their traditional arrangement with the Rose Bowl. He also could face an uphill battle in his own conference. Among the naysayers were four SEC leaders.
Jeff D’Alessio writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: jd’alessio@ajc.com.
From the AJC story ...
Here is how the other presidents responded when asked which of four categories best summarized their stance:
It’s time for a playoff but I’m not sure about this particular model.
— Henry Bienen, Northwestern
— Richard Brodhead, Duke
— Jack Hawkins, Troy
— Robert Khayat, Ole Miss
— Steadman Upham, Tulsa
Brodhead said an eight-team playoff “makes the season too long” but “we might well support a four-team playoff.”
I’m not sure what the right answer is, but it’s time to at least talk about a playoff.
— James Barker, Clemson
— Scott Cowen, Tulane
— Robert Foglesong, Mississippi State
— Judy Genshaft, South Florida
— James Ramsey, Louisville
— Martha Saunders, Southern Miss
Said Ramsey: “On the surface, I think there needs to be careful analysis of a playoff - and if the analysis supports such a playoff, I would be in full favor.”
I think college football should stick with the BCS.
— David Ashley, UNLV
— Ray Authement, Louisiana-Lafayette
— Brady Deaton, Missouri
— Dave Frohnmayer, Oregon
— Jo Ann Gora, Ball State
— John Hennessy, Stanford
— Richard McCormick, Rutgers
— Sean O’Keefe, LSU
— Graham Spanier, Penn State
— Marlene Strathe, Oklahoma State
— Lee Todd, Kentucky
— John White, Arkansas
— John Wiley, Wisconsin
— Robert Witt, Alabama
Adams is sure to meet the most resistance from his fellow presidents at Big Ten and Pac-10 schools, who prefer their traditional arrangement with the Rose Bowl. He also could face an uphill battle in his own conference. Among the naysayers were four SEC leaders.
Jeff D’Alessio writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: jd’alessio@ajc.com.
To you
I'm going on vacation into next week, so there will be a break in blog entries here. Since Auburn is always in a bowl, I do an annual second Christmas in Kentucky with my folks. Nanna and Pappa like to see their grandson, and we like to see them.
A couple of notes before I go:
--Still no word on the Auburn defensive coordinator. Tommy Tuberville is back in Auburn interviewing candidates and keeping quiet about names. I expect something today or Friday, ahead of a big recruiting weekend. We all chip in at The Star, so we will have it covered when it happens.
--Former Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges now has at least two job possibilities. He's interviewed at Ole Miss and will at UCLA, where he used to work. He's a good guy with a nice family, so here's wishing him well.
See you next week, and thanks for reading.
(-:
Joe
A couple of notes before I go:
--Still no word on the Auburn defensive coordinator. Tommy Tuberville is back in Auburn interviewing candidates and keeping quiet about names. I expect something today or Friday, ahead of a big recruiting weekend. We all chip in at The Star, so we will have it covered when it happens.
--Former Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges now has at least two job possibilities. He's interviewed at Ole Miss and will at UCLA, where he used to work. He's a good guy with a nice family, so here's wishing him well.
See you next week, and thanks for reading.
(-:
Joe
I guess it's just late
But in reading Joe's post (below this one), it got me to thinking.
Auburn wants to have a "White Out" with everyone wearing white T-shirts. If they really want to hype the night up, they should invite these guys to play at halftme.
I give you the Plain White T's performing "Hey There Delilah"
Auburn wants to have a "White Out" with everyone wearing white T-shirts. If they really want to hype the night up, they should invite these guys to play at halftme.
I give you the Plain White T's performing "Hey There Delilah"
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Scout troop
If you see someone not wearing a white T-shirt at tonight's Auburn-Arkansas basketball game, it might be an NBA scout.
Eleven scouts are expected to attend tonight's Southeastern Conference opener for both teams at Auburn's Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. The list includes David Booth (Memphis Grizzlies), Frank Ross (Seattle Sonics), Bob Reinhart (Milwaukee Bucks), Dave Griffin (Phoenix Suns), Pete Babcock, (Cleveland Cavaliers), Gene Tormohlen (Los Angeles Lakers), Harold Ellis (Atlanta Hawks), Daryl Morey (Houston Rockets), Pat Connelly (Washington Wizards), Kevin Stacom (Dallas Mavericks) and Keith Drun (Sacramento Kings).
Yes, one presumes they're coming to scout Arkansas players.
The game has also been declared a "white-out" for Auburn fans, who are asked to wear white T-shirts.
The game will air live on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m.
Eleven scouts are expected to attend tonight's Southeastern Conference opener for both teams at Auburn's Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. The list includes David Booth (Memphis Grizzlies), Frank Ross (Seattle Sonics), Bob Reinhart (Milwaukee Bucks), Dave Griffin (Phoenix Suns), Pete Babcock, (Cleveland Cavaliers), Gene Tormohlen (Los Angeles Lakers), Harold Ellis (Atlanta Hawks), Daryl Morey (Houston Rockets), Pat Connelly (Washington Wizards), Kevin Stacom (Dallas Mavericks) and Keith Drun (Sacramento Kings).
Yes, one presumes they're coming to scout Arkansas players.
The game has also been declared a "white-out" for Auburn fans, who are asked to wear white T-shirts.
The game will air live on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m.
Reports: Gran, Borges up for jobs
Auburn running backs coach Eddie Gran is interviewing today for the South Alabama head coaching job, according to multiple reports.
Also, former offensive coordinator Al Borges is up for the same job at Ole Miss, according to the Northwest Mississippi Daily Journal.
South Alabama will begin its football program in 2009 and move into Divsion I Football Bowl Subdivision in 2013.
Others reported to be in the mix include former Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower.
Gran interviewed for head coaching jobs at North Texas State (2007) and Middle Tennessee State (2006). He has coached 13 years under Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, joining Tuberville's original staff at Ole Miss.
Gran coaches running backs and serves as special-teams coordinator. He's also been a productive recruiter, plucking several from southern Florida.
Borges, who resigned in December, is reportedly on the interview list at Ole Miss and will interview today. Also on the list are former Ole Miss quarterback and current Canadian Football League head coach Kent Austin, former Alabama offensive coordinator Dave Rader, former Texas A&M coordinator Les Koenig, former Virginia and Mississippi State coordinator Sparky Woods, former Miami head coach Larry Coker and former Ole Miss wide receivers coach Hugh Freeze.
Also, former offensive coordinator Al Borges is up for the same job at Ole Miss, according to the Northwest Mississippi Daily Journal.
South Alabama will begin its football program in 2009 and move into Divsion I Football Bowl Subdivision in 2013.
Others reported to be in the mix include former Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower.
Gran interviewed for head coaching jobs at North Texas State (2007) and Middle Tennessee State (2006). He has coached 13 years under Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, joining Tuberville's original staff at Ole Miss.
Gran coaches running backs and serves as special-teams coordinator. He's also been a productive recruiter, plucking several from southern Florida.
Borges, who resigned in December, is reportedly on the interview list at Ole Miss and will interview today. Also on the list are former Ole Miss quarterback and current Canadian Football League head coach Kent Austin, former Alabama offensive coordinator Dave Rader, former Texas A&M coordinator Les Koenig, former Virginia and Mississippi State coordinator Sparky Woods, former Miami head coach Larry Coker and former Ole Miss wide receivers coach Hugh Freeze.
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