Coach Andersen spoke to PAC 12 media today. Here are the highlights:
- Impressions of PAC 12 from afar: People argue, but if not the best, it was one of the best conferences in the country. Elite league from athleticism. Skill set and wide open offense. He has a lot of respect for the way the front seven plays in the league. Best of the best in his opinion.
- Game planning: Definite challenge. Looks like to him, if you have deficiencies people will catch up with it quick. Better hide or cover up your deficiencies quickly.
- Time at Oregon State: great fit for them as a staff. Been together and have been to places similar to OSU/Corvallis before. Big time college feel. Acceptance from the town and administration. Unbelievable situation for us. This place is very special. Blessed to be in Corvallis and at OSU.
- Utah Game: Worried about the first game, but anytime you have a chance to compete against some of your good friends it can be a little different. Kyle Wittinghame and I are great friends, even away from football. I spoke to him yesterday and will see him next week. There are established relationships there and like any game in the PAC 12, it is a big game, any of the extra cirricular stuff won't have an outcome in the game. We have a lot of respect for the U of U and it will be a tough challenge and it will be a tough place to play with a tough fan base. Kyle and I have a friendship that is deeper than football. We both want to win though.
- Satellite camps: right now it is important part of recruiting. Going to several camps. Not necessarily taking the whole staff, just want to get in front of as many kids as possible. Also important is that a lot of kids can't afford to get to Corvallis to see how our coaches teach. You get a lot better feel for that at a camp. These camps are a great way to build relationships with these young men.
- Coaching salaries: Yeah, we are fortunate to be in this spot. Money doesn't drive me, I don't think I've changed since my days of making $17,000/year at Ricks College, I want to be there for the kids and help them be as successful on and off the field and making sure they are getting the best of the best of what is allowed by the NCAA.
- Extensive plan prior to spring, did you accomplish everything: You never accomplish everything, but we set a foundation and it is now how we react (academically, socially and athletically). There are things we can all do better. Accomplished a lot though. Explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball at the spring game. Defense was basic, but to see the offense make some explosive plays. He has been meeting with each player the past two days to set goals with each player. When lay-ups are there, you have to make the lay-ups and when the spectacular slam dunk is there you go for it.
- Quarterbacks this summer: Leadership is key. The QB has to be a leader. He wants the offense to have confidence in the QB when they run out on the field that the QB will make good decisions and do their job, but their team has to believe in them. We need to throw it and catch it. They are taking great pride in it today, but I'm more interested to see how they are doing 3-4 weeks from now. Are they making progress or getting stale?
- QB--think that Marcus McMaryion handled the situation very well and he closed in during the last few weeks of camp. Still 1A and 1B with Seth Collins and Nick Mitchell.
- Andersen already misses spring and being around the guys. This is a great time of year though too, since he can spend time away from football. Important time for him to get to know the kids.
