Big Ten Media Day: Ron Zook Interview

(This interview originally appeared in www.orangeandbluenews.com.)

What are we going to see in Juice Williams when he takes the field this fall?

You’re going to see improvement, you’re going to see a guy ready to take the next step.

What kind of improvement is the defense going to bring this year?

Anytime you’re in your second or third year, you expect to get better, you gotta be more consistent. We talk a lot about taking the next step, how its just the natural progression of where you’re supposed to be as you develop.

How do you recruit to Illinois?

There’s no reason we shouldn’t be just as great as everyone else. We’ve got great academics, a great conference, and all that stuff, but mostly, your players are your best ambassadors. We’re selling the same thing everyone else is selling: happiness. We’re all selling things you can’t see. You can’t see education, you can’t see a degree, you can’t see happiness.

You mentioned yesterday that you were concerned about the text message ban because it would be very easy for someone to impersonate a coach in a text message. Is that a serious concern for you?

Well I don’t know if it seriously concerns me, but its something the people making decisions should think about, its part of the issue they have to deal with. People saying whatever the want. If you take away texting, it’s not going to be a huge change, people are still going to find a way to do whatever they need to do to contact recruits.

How has the internet changed recruiting? For better or worse?

I think that because of the net, because of all the exposure, it’s so much faster, it’s a bit scarier for parents, and probably for athletes too, there’s so much more information out there, it’s harder to figure out who they can believe, and what’s right and wrong, and who says which guys is the best.

How do you evaluate talent?

We always start off looking at three things. First, can this person help us reach our goal. Second, is this person going to graduate from the University of Illinois. Third, what is the character of this person, and that’s probably the most important, and then we go from there.

Is the NFL’s new conduct policy and the crackdown on “bad behavior” going to change the way college coaches recruit and the type of individuals they go after?

Most of the people that I’ve been recruiting and the people that I know recruit, everyone’s trying to recruit good individuals already, but with some of these other issues coming up more and more it’s all going to be come more PR conscious.

How important are facilities in helping you recruit kids?

They’re somewhat important, and to some it might be more important. Here we are at Illinois getting ready to be the best in the country until someone else builds something better and bigger. But the #1 thing is people, if you’re not happy, the facilities don’t matter. One thing I always tell kids is ‘forget about that stadium out there.’ If that all goes away, would you still want to be here?

Big Ten Media Day: J Leman Interview

(This interview originally appeared in www.orangeandbluenews.com.)

How was the transition for you from Coach Turner to Coach Zook?

You always want to stay with the coach that recruited you, Coach Turner was a great guy, but he’s landed on his feet well with the Bears. It was hard at first, but we’ve really taken to Coach Zook.

What’s the goal for this season?

We want to finish in the upper echelon of the Big Ten. Those spots aren’t reserved for Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin. We’ve got just as much a right to it as anyone else, we want to go get it.

What’s the toughest roadtrip in the conference?

Happy Valley. You fly up going over those mountains, and you’re just thinking ‘where is this little town in the middle of the mountains.’ It’s a tough place to play.

Who’s the toughest player you’ve ever gone up against in the Big Ten?

From Wisconsin, Joe Thomas. No doubt about it.

What player or school talks more than their share of trash?

Michigan State likes to talk it a little bit.

How do you know Coach Zook is mad at you?

When he comes over and steps on your foot and starts shouting at you, gets right up in your face and shouts at you. Actually, take out that part about stepping on people’s foot, he’s not abusive or anything. Just gets right on top of you to make sure you’re listening.

What kind of impact has Lou Hernandez had on you guys?

A huge huge impact. We’ve got about 40 guys that can power clean 300 pounds now, which is a huge improvement. He just pushes guys beyond what they think they can do.

How much time do you get to yourself in the offseason?

Not much. You get a week after Christmas, and find a little time here and there, but other than that – not much.

What’s your scene away from the football field?

I like to relax and do some fishing. I go to this little lake called St. Joe’s lake where I can do a little fishing.

Big Ten Media Day: Martin O'Donnell Interview

(This interview originally appeared in www.orangeandbluenews.com.)

Is there more pressure this year with the incoming recruiting class and all the national attention because of that?

There’s just as much pressure this season or any other season, and there’s pressure on every single team at the division one level, there are always expectations. What’s different is the excitement level – that’s different. The excitement in the fans, and community. Just the fact that we’ve sold more season tickets than we have here in awhile is exciting. No one wants to pay in an empty stadium.

Who’s the toughest single competitor you expect to up against this year?

We’re trying to look at Missouri right now. I don’t pick on individual players, every defense in this league wants to go out and hit you in the mouth. We’re not really thinking about anything other than Missouri right now. I don’t even pay attention to names anyway, mostly just numbers.

What’s your favorite road trip in the conference?

Happy Valley, Ohio State, every stadium really, there’s just something about this conference.

What’s the toughest place to play?

Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State. Penn State has to be in there too.

What player or team talks more than their share of trash?

I don’t really know how much stuff of that goes on, I’ve never experienced anything too bad.

How do you know when Coach Zook is mad at you?

When it looks like his head is about to explode. He’s just full of energy all the time, so when his jaw gets clenched, and he gets really red, you just start to worry.

How’s the chemistry been between this heralded recruiting class and you older guys?

The chemistry’s been good. Guys like Regis Benn have come in eager to learn and all those guys know that the older guys hold the key, the know the schemes, that type of thing. They know what’s going on.

What are the goals for this year? What has to happen for you to say: this was a successful year?

We’re all going to be really disappointed if we’re not playing in a bowl game. We just have to go. Its not really written down, its just time to get going. Just gotta go. We’ve had great recruiting classes, not we want people to talk about us during the season, and not just in the offseason. And the coaches, every single one of them wants to win as bad as we do.

Big Ten Media Day: Chris Norvell Interview

(This interview originally appeared in www.orangeandbluenews.com.)

Where’s your favorite place to play in the conference?

Wisconsin and Ohio State definitely, they’re really hostile, I like playing there a lot.

Who’s the toughest player or scheme you’ve gone up against?

Purdue, definitely. They like to throw the ball so much.

How do you know Coach Zook is mad at you?

Well, he runs up right in your ear and starts yelling at you. It’s pretty easy to tell.

What do you do to relax off the field?

A lot of guys on the time like to play X-box, so we’ll play Halo 2 against each other from our separate rooms.

How much free time do you get in the offseason?

There’s school and class for two-plus hours, you also have to lift, run, then the big guys lift at 3, so during the day there’s no free time. Then you gotta eat lunch, then do position work after that. So, there’s not a lot of free time.

What kind of impact as Lou Hernandez had at Illinois?

Lou is a great coach. Right when he came in we started getting better and stronger. We’ve got 35 or 36 guys that can power clean 310, that’s a pretty good number.

How does he do it?

Basically what he does is working hand in hand with the players, pushing us.

Are you impressed with the new guys coming in, the highly touted recruiting class?

We’ve got some youngsters coming in that are very mature for their age. Jacques Brent is showing a lot of strength and he’s already really mature.They all want to live up to all the hype, that’s all we care about.

How do you think Coach Zook continues to deliver this talent to Illinois?

He just sells the university – University of Illinois is a great place, and he sells it.

What’s the key to improvement this year?

We need to be more consistent, and cut down on the mental breakdowns. That’s it.

Big Ten Media Day: Player Roundtable

(This article originally published August 1 on www.orangeandbluenews.com)

Down the hall from the Grand Ballroom, in the Columbus Room, media met with Big Ten coaches and players today for one-on-one interviews. I met with several of the Big Ten’s premiere athletes to get their thoughts on some of the faces and places that make the Big Ten special. Here’s our panel:

Mike Klinkenborg, LB, Iowa

Marcus Thigpen, RB, Indiana

Luke Swan, WR, Wisconsin

Vernon Ghoulston, DE, Ohio State

Mike Sherels, ILB, Minnesota

Anthony Morelli, QB, Penn State

Tyrell Sutton, RB, Northwestern

What’s your favorite place to play in the Big Ten?

Klinkenborg – Wisconsin. The fans up there are great, they’re pretty wild.

Thigpen – Wisconsin.

Swan – All the road trips have been about the same. I shouldn’t say this, but you really try to go focus on the game, and there’s not a lot of focus on the outside stuff. I try to make everything the same, the hotel the same, the trip the same in every way.

Ghoulston – Ohio Stadium! Other than that…Illinois, probably. The field, how it was at night, I really liked it there.

Sherels – Penn State. Its just unrivaled, the fans are crazy, they’re passionate, it’s the best.

Morelli – That’s hard to say, in a conference like this, you have so many exciting stadiums. Ohio State was pretty exciting, really good atmosphere there, and they beat us up a little bit.

What’s the toughest road trip in the Big Ten?

Klinkenborg – I haven’t been to Penn State yet, I’d probably say Ohio State, maybe Wisconsin.

Thigpen – Wisconsin.

Swan – Penn State. The fans there are so vocal and really in to the game.

Ghoulston – The 2005 Penn State game was really tough. This year we play them there again, and the fans are going to be crazy, rowdy, everything.

Sherels – Penn State, that’s the loudest place I’ve ever been in my entire life. They have less people, but they’re always shouting, and the stadium is built so they’re right on top of you.

Morelli – Has to be Ohio State.

Sutton – Any road game is always going to be tough. They’re all loud and hard. When we played at Nevada last year it was so loud, even louder than Arizona State, and that place was really loud. Ohio State has 120 thousand fans all screaming at you. They’re all tough.

Who talks the most trash in the Big Ten?

Klinkenborg – I don’t think there’s a lot of trash talking in the conference, for the most part, there’s some pretty good sportsmanship here. But my team mate Mitch King has talked his share of trash.

Thigpen – When you get hit, that’s when it happens, when you’re a receiver and you are at the bottom of the pile, you get talked to. Ohio State and Michigan do it the most.

Swan – It gets the worst when you have two guys who both want to talk to each other, then it never stops. I just try to be silent out there, be the silent assassin.

Ghoulston – There’s not much trash talking. With how competitive we are, we’re always huffing and puffing after every play.

Sherels – I’m just going to say the state of Michigan, and you can figure out which school I’m talking about.

Morelli – It was probably Wisconsin for me.

Sutton – Illinois. Well, anyone because they all trash talk out there. From J Leman to AJ Hawk, there’s a lot of trash that gets thrown around out there.

Who’s the toughest player or scheme you’ve ever matched up against?

Klinkenborg – Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio State TE). That guy’s pretty quick.

Swan – Jack Ikeqwuonu. I match up against him every day in practice. He’s made me a lot better.

Ghoulston - Probably Penn State’s Levi Brown and Michigan’s Jake Long. Trying to get around those guys is like trying to get around a wall.

Sherels – Dorien Bryant from Purdue. Two years against them they went in to 5-wide almost the entire game, and I was the overweight middle linebacker out there trying to cover him, and he made me look foolish. The summer afterward I worked really hard at my footwork and getting better so he couldn’t make me look foolish again. We played them last year and I did a lot better.

Morelli – Michigan. Their defensive line was unreal, and I got knocked out of the game. So that was pretty tough.

Sutton – Wisconsin gave me a concussion last year. So whoever hit me, but I don’t remember who it was.

How do you know when your head coach is mad at you?

Klinkenborg – When we’re doing two-a-days in December.

Thigpen – When he gives you a look. Its just that look, man. You know it.

Swan – Its pretty obvious, Coach Bielema lets you know you made a mistake, but that’s what the coaches are there for. They’re getting us ready every day to play in front of 85 to 100 thousand people.

Ghoulston – When he stops talking to you.

Sherels – Its ‘the glare’. He’ll just give you this death stare.

Morelli – They’re either going to yell at you or stop talking to you. But Coach Paterno is always telling us that we should worry when they stop yelling us, because that means they don’t think we can get any better than we are.

Sutton – When he stops talking to you. He just stops talking.

What do you do to relax when you’re not playing or practicing?

Klinkenborg – I just like to hang out, go to the movies, maybe play a board game. Devan Moylan likes to play risk, but I don’t play him that much, because he beats me, and I don’t like to lose at anything.

Thigpen – Me and my best friend, Nick Polk, he’s a safety, we like to go bowling. We bowl a lot. I probably average about 200. I’m pretty good.

Swan – I’m a pretty chill guy, I like to golf a lot. I had a job last summer at a golf course, so I try to golf over at University Ridge as much as possible. I’m about a 6 or 7 handicap.

Ghoulston – Just being able to sit down, relax, and eat. I love to eat. I can put on SportsCenter and watch that 3 or 4 times a day.

Sherels – I’m a bit of a nerd. I like to read a lot. I just finished the last Harry Potter book. The last two in the series are definitely the best. (Me: Which Hogwarts House would you belong to?) Oh, I gotta say Gryffindor. Gotta Gryffindor.

Morelli – I’m a big hunting and fishing type of guy. I actually just caught a 40 lb., 3 foot, 8 inch catfish back home in Pittsburgh, in the Allegheny. That was cool.

Sutton – Sleep. I like to sleep. Ask anybody, I can sleep anywhere.

Big Ten Media Day: News & Notes

(This article originally published August 1 on www.orangeandbluenews.com)

Here’s a rundown of a scattering of tidbits from today’s opening press conference at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago:

FUZZY MATH

Illini coach Ron Zook explained that he thought the rule change to move kickoffs back to the 30-yard line would actually be a 7-yard change, because most teams return kicks that are within two yards of the end line. But, don’t they already do this? I’m pretty sure that in this case, five yards back is truly just five yards back. Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema weighed in on the kickoff issue by saying this his independent research showed that, since the NFL moved their kickoff line back to the 30-yard line, that the team receiving the opening kick has won 80% of overtime games. Every bit of research I can find says the number is much closer to 60%. In my opinion, the biggest thing the new kickoff rule will do is help keep games closer. Why? Well, who receives kickoffs? With the exception of each half’s opening kick, the team receiving a kick is always a team that has just been scored on. So, its an extra five (or seven) yards for every team that has just given up points. It might not make a huge difference, but over the long run, it will mean closer games.

FOOD STUFFS

I attended MAC Media Day in Detroit last week, and the presentation of that event really trumped this one. Sure, the Big Ten brings the ESPN crew, a whole bunch more people, and the downtown Chicago setting, but I don’t think they got the little things right. MAC: free dinner for all reporters that included sirloin, pork, asparagus, free beer and amazing desserts. Big Ten: Cellophane-wrapped hoagies with potato chips and fruit. Sure, they’ve got more people to feed here, but the difference was marked.

KARMA

In discussing his squad’s crucial road victory at Iowa last year, Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema referenced the hostile environment at Iowa, saying “I went to school there, and they called me a bunch of names I’d never even heard before.” Ironic, since Bielema, after a 1992 victory over cross-state rival Iowa State at that same Kinnick Stadium, told Cyclone Coach Jim Walden at midfield, “I think you’re a big (expletive), and I’ve enjoyed kicking your (expletive) for five years.” Instant Karma – its gonna get ya.

PRETTY BOY WATCH

ESPN Golden Boy Kirk Herbstreit was in the house today, but no Corso. Say what you will about Herby, he is easily the brains of ESPN’s GameDay duo. I can’t help but wondering in front of what mirror Lee Corso was trying on mascot heads while Herbstreit was actually doing some work. Ladies: the quarterback actually looks a little pudgy in person.

EVERYONE’S A POLITICIAN

Weighing in on the kickoff rule, Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald said “As a Chicagoan, watching Devin Hester run back kicks in Soldier Field, I’m a little scared of defending the kickoffs.” I’m sure Fitzgerald meant what he said, but the comment was a little stiff, and came off like the politician who starts every speech with: Its great to be here in (town name), how about them (local sports team)?”

TIM BREWSTER: EASILY EXCITABLE

While I enjoyed Tim Brewster’s opening comments to the gathered press, his energy came off as being a bit excessive when making a few comments. In reference to Minnesota’s long –standing competition with Michigan for a certain little brown piece of hardware, Brewster exclaimed, full of bluster, “Make no mistake about it, we’re going to go get that JUG!” Commenting on new Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith’s aggressive style of basketball, Brewster almost shouted, “We’re going to have the barn ROCKING!”

ACCENTUATE THE…WHAT?

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz took a markedly different approach to his opening comments than the other Big Ten coaches. While most, most notedly Indiana’s Bill Lynch, used the time to accentuate all the positives about their team, Ferentz chose to speak mostly about all the uncertainties and challenges his team faced. Captain Kirk spoke of weakness on the offensive line, young quarterbacking, and no real receivers to speak of. I’ve always liked Ferentz’s humility, but couldn’t help but wonder if this was humble pie, or an attempt to manage expectations by the leader of a program who has barely gone .500 since its coach’s huge contract extension in 2004.

THE VIEW FROM ABOVE

Penn State’s Joe Paterno said he may consider coaching from the press box in coming years. After suffering a leg injury in last season’s loss to Wisconsin, Paterno performed coaching duties from the press box, and said the experience wasn’t as bad as one might think. “You see a lot from up there,” Paterno said. “Every now and then I slipped my coaches a note, but mostly I was able to just sit down, have a cup of coffee.” JoePa went on to joke: “I just sat on my rear end and watched television. I felt like a newspaper guy.”

LIVE AND IN COLOR

Kurt Kittner, a Schaumburg native and the Illini’s all-time winningest quarterback, took in the festivities today, dressed in a snappy black suit and orange & blue tie. Kittner will begin his career in broadcasting this fall as the color man on Illini Radio. Kittner’s thoughts on the Illini’s prospects this fall. “I think it looks good,” the ex-Chicago Bear said. “We’ve got a lot of really good young players looking to come in, and a lot of guys who saw playing time last year that need to step up and really become playmakers this season.” And how’s the broadcasting training going? “We’ll find out September 1.”

Big Ten Media Day: Press Conference

(The following article appears on www.orangeandbluenews.com, the premiere site for Illinois athletics information.)

The Big Ten conference season got officially underway Tuesday on Lower Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago.

With 8 bowl bids in play, the annual BCS bid (or two), three new head coaches, and the introduction of the Big Ten Network, there was plenty to talk about at the opening press conference. With the ESPN News cameras and even the pretty boy, Kirk Herbstreit, in the house, the league’s 11 coaches addressed the media in the Hyatt Regency’s Grand Ballroom. Each coach began with an opening statement, and then proceeded to answer questions from the assembled media.

Orange and Blue News rates the best and worst of the day’s events:

Best Opening Statements:

1. Tim Brewster, Minnesota – I came in prepared to not like this guy, but once he started talking, it became obvious immediately how he’s assembled his reputation as ace recruiter. Speaking with noticeably more volume, animation and intensity than every other coach, Brewster extolled the virtues of Minnesota football past, saying “Minnesota has always been and will always be about winning.” Brewster also said that he will take his squad to spend time around John Gagliardi at nearby St. John’s University, the winningest coach in college football history. Who knows if the fire and brimstone will translate to W’s, but one thing is certain: Brewster looks the part.
2. Joe Paterno, Penn State – There’s a lot to love about JoePa. This is my first time seeing the old codger up close and personal, and I wasn’t disappointed. He was genuine, humble, didn’t indulge in a lot of “coach speak,” cracked a few good jokes, and most importantly – was honest about his football team. “We’ll be a good team, but not a great team, we’re just a little too young for that,” Paterno told the assembled media. In person, Paterno plays like a tender-hearted Junior Soprano; tough, very funny, with just a touch of “crazy like a fox.” Good stuff.

Worst Opening Statements:

1. Bill Lynch, Indiana – Sadly, for the second straight year, a Big Ten coach takes the reins following the untimely passing of his predecessor. Although I’m wishing the entire Hoosier family the best in dealing with that situation, Lynch didn’t impress me today. There’s no creative way to say it: the man was boring. He didn’t move, he didn’t inspire, he didn’t stir much emotion of any kind outside of “I wish they’d just bring back JoePa.” Additionally, in his opening statement, he went through a verbose description of everything that even resembles a positive on his football team, trying to make the Hoosiers sound dangerous and improved. It felt like a classic case of “methinks he doth protest too much.”
2. Mark D’Antonio – Michigan State – If there’s one thing I can’t stand, its “coach speak.” In just fifteen minutes, the new Spartan sheriff gave us “Change is always tough,” “we’re still on the honeymoon here,” “we’re really excited to be here,” and didn’t really contribute much insight at all. The things he did say seemed to be designed explicitly mark himself as a tough guy. “I will not tolerate a weak defense,” he said with a scowl. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Best Question –

This one is kind of tough, because most of the material at the press conference was pretty vanilla, but I did appreciate the reporter who asked Ohio State’s Jim Tressel what he thought of the difference in speed between the SEC and Big Ten, after the Florida debacle last January. The reporter referenced an earlier question of Ron Zook which asked the same thing, based on his experiences in each conference. It put Tressel in a situation where I wasn’t really sure what he was going to say; that’s the definition of a good question in my book.

Worst Question –

1. News flash: we’re talking to coaches, not psychics. A reporter near the front of the ballroom asked Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald the following question:

“Given that you’re coaching at your alma mater, and you’re a pretty young guy, do you see yourself staying at Northwestern as long as JoePa has been at Penn State?”

First of all, how could he possibly know that? “Yes, Mr. Reporter, based on my first year in Evanston, I’m guessing that in the year 2047, I’m still going to be roaming the sidelines at Ryan Field. And its going to be great driving to work every day in my flying car.” Secondly, it really doesn’t matter what he thinks. Does that change anything about Northwestern football this year? What a bad question. Fitzgerald’s response hit the nail right on the head, and drew a laugh from the crowd: “I’m going to have to win a lot more games than 4 to stick around that long.”

2. Speaking of stuff that doesn’t matter at all right now, the following was asked of Tim Brewster: “How do you think the brand new TCF Stadium set to open in fall 2009 will affect your program?” Yeah, you know that stadium that is going to be built a full two years from now, how is that going to long-term affect the program you’ve been at for only six months? Nevermind all the interesting things to discuss: this year’s schedule, the recruiting class, coaching his son, a new conference, his NFL experience – let’s talk about a stadium that opens in 26 months.

Best Answer –

1. Describing backup fullback Chris Pressley’s recent academic trip to China, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema explained his team’s new conditioning philosophy: “Pressley went over there at 265, and came back three weeks later at 250. So that’s our new weight loss program – send ‘em to China.”
2. In responding to a reporter who asked how he motivated his team and himself after dropping the National Title game to Florida last January, Jim Tressel responded without any abrasiveness, and related to the reporter on a personal level, saying that he and Tressel were probably very much alike, that whenever the reporter didn’t write a story as well as he’d liked, he probably couldn’t wait to get after it the next time and make sure he didn’t make the same mistake twice. It was friendly, smart, human – great answer to a tough question.

Worst Answer –

1. Lloyd Carr was asked how Chad Henne stacked up, after three years as a starter, with some of the other great QBs in Michigan history. Carr’s response, “I don’t compare players.” Ok, fair enough. But then, in Henne’s support, “Let’s not forget, this was a guy who was probably the only quarterback in Big 10 history to win a league title as a true freshman.” Yeah, we may have forgotten, since it happened in 2004! That’s the best you can do in reflecting on your man’s three year career?
2. A reporter asked Kirk Ferentz how he felt about the Hawkeyes’ schedule, which includes neither Michigan nor Ohio State. “I haven’t really thought about it at all.” Really, Kirk? Because its worth thinking about, when the combined 2006 conference record of Iowa’s 10 BCS conference opponents is 29-50. Forget thinking – just throw yourself a “soft schedule we don’t deserve” party.
3. Joe Paterno attempted to answer questions about members of his football team that have run afoul of the law. JoePa, who has made statements in the past which indicate he may not see rape as a serious crime, said “we’ve had some members of our team who may have…taken advantage of a woman…while she was drunk.” Not only does Paterno’s description of the crime allegedly committed by Nittany Lion Anwar Phillips in 2003 place some measure of blame on the victim by playing up her intoxication, but it also dodges the issue, by not calling the crime what it is. Can you imagine the attention would draw if a coach of Paterno’s stature said simply and firmly: “Men who rape women have no place on my football team.”

Best Media Guides

1. Ohio State – A beautifully simple cover design, complete with the patented Buckeye stickers and a shimmery silver finish; the best looking media guide I’ve ever seen.
2. Minnesota – I’m a sucker for stadium architecture, and the detailed drawings of TCF Bank Stadium are enough to make me want to see the place close up.
3. Illinois – I like that the Illini guide features Ron Zook, and the foreground image of players mobbing one another gets me pumped.

Worst Media Guides

1. Iowa – Two big, ugly Hawkeye football helmets with a nothing gray background is the best they could do? Seriously? The cover of this thing looks like my high school brother did it on Print Shop.
2. Michigan – A very close second. At least they put SOMETHING in the background behind their hideous guide cover. How does a school with Michigan’s tradition pull off such a weak marketing campaign for this media guide?
3. Purdue – I guess I just don’t think you should use the phrase “Boiler Up!” in a positive way, especially to introduce yourself to the media.

Best Philosophical Quotes –

“Young men will go wherever you want them to go, as long as you tell them how to get there,” Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema

“Our nation is intoxicated with sport,” Purdue Coach Joe Tiller.

Coaches I’d want to Have a Beer With:

1. Ron Zook, Illinois
2. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
3. Anyone but Lloyd Carr.