Mark Richt and Brad Kaaya Discuss Season at ACC Media Days
Richt answered questions from reporters at ACC Kickoff after Kaaya finished. He discussed recruiting, the offense, his involvement with the offense, the running game and the importance of beating Florida State.
"Q: A lot of talent in South Florida. How has your recruiting strategy changed? Mark Richt: Not a lot. But I think the big thing is to make sure that the coaches, the high school coaches, know that they’re welcome in our place, that we want to recruit their guys, we want the local guys to stay home, and we want, to be honest with everybody and do our recruiting in a way that everybody appreciates it. Recruiting is work. It’s being diligent, creating relationships with these young men and their parents and their loved ones to the point where they feel like, This is where I want to be. It doesn’t change a lot really. Q. Miami was last in rushing last year. Your teams at Georgia ran the ball effectively. What has to be done to make the Hurricanes more productive running the ball? Richt: First of all, I think it does start up front. You got to have guys that know what they’re doing, that will stick their hat on somebody and get after it, just fight. Coach Searels, our offensive line coach is a guy I have all the faith and confidence in, from a scheme point of view, fundamentals point of view, get after them point of view You need a fullback that can block in the system that I’m going to want to run. Tight end has to block, wide receiver has to block. You have practice in such a way to develop a physical attitude. We like to have two and maybe three guys (running backs) that can carry the load, which I think we do at this point. Q. What would it mean to you and to the program at this time to finally get over the hump and beat Florida State? COACH RICHT: A The reality is our goal is to win the coastal division. You can win that game and lose the coastal, you can lose that game and win the coastal. Our job is to win that game and get back to the ACC championship game. Every single conference game is very important. Q. You have familiarity with your entire offensive staff, for the most part. Can you discuss the cohesiveness, the building of the family-oriented nature? COACH RICHT I told the coaches this. I said I am coaching QBs again, I’m calling plays, I’m getting in the middle of this offense again…everybody has to take care of their business. I think I’ve done a really good job of hiring guys that are that type of people."
Joe Rose Show
Richt joined Rose and Zagacki when Kaaya was finished. He discussed the Quarterbacks in general, Kaaya’s responsibilities, the Parkside Camp and fullback Marquez Williams who transferred from Mars Hill College.
Richt on Kaaya and Quarterback in General:
I like to teach the quarterbacks to know what to do.
Brad will be orchestrating what’s going on up front the entire ballgame. (He’s a ) Smart accurate leader.
Zagacki asked Richt about the Importance winning Dade and Broward Counties:
If you take the tri-county area, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade County, there’s 150 Division I scholarship players coming out every year. If I average 20 a year, if I got all 20 out of that area, there’s another hundred going all over America. There’s a lot of good ones, too. You can’t get them all.
Richt on the Parkside Camp:
Invite former players to come back and coach 11-12 graders. (Michael) Irvin, Antrel Rolle (and others) …(we received) three to four silent commitments…satellite camps….need to get players on your campus…wanted (recruits) to get to know our players…didn’t feel like we should be running around the countryside…taking care of our own….
Richt on Marquez Williams:
Mars hill college “he is what a fullback should look like”
Richt on the Freshman:
A lot of freshmen will be playing a lot of football- not looking to redshirt anyone of them- linebackers can help on special teams
Zagacki also gave Rose his own insight on the Hurricanes outlook.
How much depth after starting front four
Not enough…looking forward to seeing (Roger) McIntosh inside.
Impact Freshman- (Wide Receiver) Ahmmon (Richards) three linebackers (he didn’t specify…except for…) ...(Shaquille) Quarterman. Quarterman is ranked in the top ten at inside linebacker by most of the major recruiting services. As of last month, Ourlads.Com had Richardson and classmate Michael Pinckney starting at linebacker and Sam Bruce as the primary punt returner.
Next: Miami Hurricanes Preparing (for) No Home Games in 2016 Season
Zagacki also mentioned he would like to see Richt put the ball in the hands of Corn Elder as much as possible….(by having) some plays at receiver. Elder scored the touchdown in the wild win at Duke last year.