We have our Wednesday interview with an assistant coach today. Kelton Copeland is the guest this week. Will post notes....and this is not a transcript.
Opening Statement
So far everything hasn't worked perfectly, but that's college football. We have done a good job setting the tone in the room and opposing teams have changed some things up and we have had to adjust. We are doing that in practice and in games. Guys have done a good job and now talks about Kent State. Said they fly around and make plays. Excited to be back in Kinnick.
Said Tracy has been doing good leading the group. Said new faces this year and inexperienced guys. He is leading by example and setting the standard.
Said Nico does all the dirty work in the room. Not always making flashy plays, but in the slot and has done an excellent job in the run and pass game. Said he's a good blocker.
Charlie Jones has the only TD in the room. Proud of him. Said he is making progress. While he is a senior, he's still kind of new and making strides.
Talks about Johnson and Bruce. They show up every day and learn. Taking a lot of notes in the meeting room. Taking notes on other positions too. Johnson taking notes on the slot even though he plays outside. Excited about those guys. Said it's all a process and they have bought in and they are all earning the trust.
Now to questions.
Q: Asked about the two freshman. Heard a lot about them. Are they catching on as fast as you expected?
Said he thinks they are coming along faster than expected. Helped that they arrive in January. Said they are doing well. No blank formula for snaps. Checks with Brian and other staff to make sure they are seeing the same things. Need to get them experience, but also need to give the team the best opportunity to be successful.
Q: Kirk talked about a rotation of four or five. Seems like six now. Who will earn that trust and what has Ritter shown you?
Accidentally left Jackson out. He was young two years ago like the freshman and now he's gotten himself to be in the conversation for a starting spot in certain formations. He is getting quality reps and got his first catch last week, which gave him a lot of confidence. He has done an excellent job to this point. There are a lot of guys that have shown that they can play. Have to find the best players for the best situations for Iowa football.
Q: You mentioned Tracy's leadership. He showed some body language frustration?
He did and I noticed it. As a receiver, you always think you are open even if you aren't, you know. He is a competitor and wants to win. it's not about him getting catches. He wants to contribute to the team and win. He tells them all the time that our job isn't to throw it, but to catch it and be prepared to do that. He reminds him its a long season.
Q: How hard is it to gauge the progress because of the opponents so far and the nature of the game plan?
Boring answer is he has to see it in practice. Have to see it in your prep work. Notes in the room and on the practice field. Have to be detailed at Iowa. everything has to have a start and finish. They have to pay attention to film and then translate it to the practice field. Don't always get what you would expect in a game or snaps in a game don't always happen. That's because the game plan changes during the game. Said it is an on-going process.
Q: Asked about Charlie Jones and his progress. Did it surprise him?
Did not surprise him. He executes and expects that moving forward.
Q: Is Ragaini fully healthy? Snap count is down?
No reason at all. Try to tell them as much as he can and lets them know what he is thinking. Talked to him about it last week. Said it was just format of the game and how it went.
Q: Kent State and their secondary
Said they have really good athletes. Coached in the MAC too. They are aggressive. Tells his guys that they have to be ready to go or they will be exposed. Said they capitalize on mistakes. Have to be on top of our game on Saturday. That's the message this week.
Q: What are you looking for from the receiver room to take the next step?
Nothing specific to do better. Just have to be better at everything. Have to block more, attack the ball in the air and run crisp routes. Said he loves the process every day and loves to see them develop on and off the field. Enjoying working with these young guys and it has been a lot of fun.
Q: Asked about the chemistry between the receivers and quarterbacks? Better this year with more time?
Said he works with KOK and the QB's all the time. They work on timing and everything. Spencer has taken it to another level as far as his personality and leadership. Guys are responding to it as well. All the guys want to win. There is a certain way to do things at this level and it's a process and there are steps. Guys are doing a good job working together and even working after practice. Fun to watch the QB's from a distance and see them develop. Said the passing game is going to come together. Said you can see it coming in practice. Have total faith that you will see them playing at a high level.
Opening Statement
So far everything hasn't worked perfectly, but that's college football. We have done a good job setting the tone in the room and opposing teams have changed some things up and we have had to adjust. We are doing that in practice and in games. Guys have done a good job and now talks about Kent State. Said they fly around and make plays. Excited to be back in Kinnick.
Said Tracy has been doing good leading the group. Said new faces this year and inexperienced guys. He is leading by example and setting the standard.
Said Nico does all the dirty work in the room. Not always making flashy plays, but in the slot and has done an excellent job in the run and pass game. Said he's a good blocker.
Charlie Jones has the only TD in the room. Proud of him. Said he is making progress. While he is a senior, he's still kind of new and making strides.
Talks about Johnson and Bruce. They show up every day and learn. Taking a lot of notes in the meeting room. Taking notes on other positions too. Johnson taking notes on the slot even though he plays outside. Excited about those guys. Said it's all a process and they have bought in and they are all earning the trust.
Now to questions.
Q: Asked about the two freshman. Heard a lot about them. Are they catching on as fast as you expected?
Said he thinks they are coming along faster than expected. Helped that they arrive in January. Said they are doing well. No blank formula for snaps. Checks with Brian and other staff to make sure they are seeing the same things. Need to get them experience, but also need to give the team the best opportunity to be successful.
Q: Kirk talked about a rotation of four or five. Seems like six now. Who will earn that trust and what has Ritter shown you?
Accidentally left Jackson out. He was young two years ago like the freshman and now he's gotten himself to be in the conversation for a starting spot in certain formations. He is getting quality reps and got his first catch last week, which gave him a lot of confidence. He has done an excellent job to this point. There are a lot of guys that have shown that they can play. Have to find the best players for the best situations for Iowa football.
Q: You mentioned Tracy's leadership. He showed some body language frustration?
He did and I noticed it. As a receiver, you always think you are open even if you aren't, you know. He is a competitor and wants to win. it's not about him getting catches. He wants to contribute to the team and win. He tells them all the time that our job isn't to throw it, but to catch it and be prepared to do that. He reminds him its a long season.
Q: How hard is it to gauge the progress because of the opponents so far and the nature of the game plan?
Boring answer is he has to see it in practice. Have to see it in your prep work. Notes in the room and on the practice field. Have to be detailed at Iowa. everything has to have a start and finish. They have to pay attention to film and then translate it to the practice field. Don't always get what you would expect in a game or snaps in a game don't always happen. That's because the game plan changes during the game. Said it is an on-going process.
Q: Asked about Charlie Jones and his progress. Did it surprise him?
Did not surprise him. He executes and expects that moving forward.
Q: Is Ragaini fully healthy? Snap count is down?
No reason at all. Try to tell them as much as he can and lets them know what he is thinking. Talked to him about it last week. Said it was just format of the game and how it went.
Q: Kent State and their secondary
Said they have really good athletes. Coached in the MAC too. They are aggressive. Tells his guys that they have to be ready to go or they will be exposed. Said they capitalize on mistakes. Have to be on top of our game on Saturday. That's the message this week.
Q: What are you looking for from the receiver room to take the next step?
Nothing specific to do better. Just have to be better at everything. Have to block more, attack the ball in the air and run crisp routes. Said he loves the process every day and loves to see them develop on and off the field. Enjoying working with these young guys and it has been a lot of fun.
Q: Asked about the chemistry between the receivers and quarterbacks? Better this year with more time?
Said he works with KOK and the QB's all the time. They work on timing and everything. Spencer has taken it to another level as far as his personality and leadership. Guys are responding to it as well. All the guys want to win. There is a certain way to do things at this level and it's a process and there are steps. Guys are doing a good job working together and even working after practice. Fun to watch the QB's from a distance and see them develop. Said the passing game is going to come together. Said you can see it coming in practice. Have total faith that you will see them playing at a high level.
