Richt Holds End-of-the-Year Press Conference
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami head coach Mark Richt met with the media on Thursday for his end-of-the-year press conference. In his first season at Miami, Richt guided the Hurricanes to a 9-4 record and the program’s first bowl win since 2006.
Listed below is what Richt had to say about his first season as head coach of his alma mater.
Opening statement
“Well, it’s that last time of the year that we get a little bit of a break before we get back into recruiting real hard and getting ready for all the offseason things that have to happen for next year, so, it’s been a good break for our players and our coaches to just decompress a little bit and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
On the quarterback battle coming into the 2017 season…
“Well first of all, everyone has got a shot at it. A lot of guys have already taken reps. I can’t really make comment about kids that aren’t on our campus or have not signed, so I can’t really talk about any of the future guys, but we are definitely excited about competition – that tends to bring out the best in people. I think when guys are competing and they know that there is a realistic shot of not only being second team, but being a starter, it changes things for guys. We are just looking forward to seeing that competition come about and we’ll learn more as time goes on.”
On Brad Kaaya’s decision to go pro…
“It’s basically was more about being real with a guy and giving him information that I have collected from different people and helping him understand that if he stays these things could happen and (what) could benefit him and if he goes. We talked about the benefits of him going and it just came down to what he thought was most important in life and that’s what it came down to.”
On whether Gus Edwards or Courtel Jenkins may transfer…
“I don’t know if they are or not. Neither one of them have come to me and mentioned anything about it to me. This is the time of year to where kids look at their situations and try to decide what’s best for them. I’m not saying that they are not considering it, but I’ve not spoken to either one of them and neither one of them have come to me with anything.”
On how recruits are presented the team’s current quarterback situation…
“Well the thing is when you play with a veteran quarterback as a freshman, you don’t play with a veteran quarterback when it means the most to you in your career. You would like to have a quarterback, who is seasoned when you are going to be a third-year player or a fourth-year player. The big thing that they (need to) understand is that there is a tremendous talent base within this quarterback group and that whoever rises will get the ball to you and will help you showcase the things that you can do within the team concept. If you have a guy, who is going to be there one or two years and then you are breaking in a freshman your junior year that’s probably not the best scenario. There is a good chance that whoever gets the job can grow with whoever comes in as the receiver.”
On who will fill the leadership void left by quarterback Brad Kaaya…
“Well number one, the starting quarterback on any team is a leader by virtue of the position that he holds – how good of a leader he is, is a whole other story. It’s hard to step up when you are the third or second team quarterback, but now someone is going to step up into the leading role whether it happens in the spring, summer or fall or whenever it happens. Someone is going to be in that position and he will have earned the right to lead, so that changes things for people. I’ve seen a lot of guys that are backups that have all the characteristics of leadership, but know that it’s maybe not their role yet and then they take over the starting position and it changes things for them, so I think it will just happen naturally.”
On his thoughts of the 2016 season…
“I guess it is kind of two fold. In one sense, I really feel like we gained a lot of ground on becoming great and (became) a team that could handle adversity, go through the tough times of the midseason and come out of it with five victories and a bowl victory. A lot of positive things happened throughout the season – especially towards the end and I thought that was a very good sign, but then you look back and you kind of kick yourself here and there. It’s a learning experience for everybody and I just feel like we did a lot of great things. I think we have created a good foundation and created a good bit of momentum to go into the 2017 season and I’m looking forward to these guys becoming great.”
On the tight end position…
“There’s a lot of growing up to do at that position – besides Chris (Herndon). Chris is a veteran and a guy we trust and a guy we can count on. The other guys got a lot to prove. When you get yourself into a position to where you know you are being counted on, it changes guys sometimes. I think guys will try to step up to that opportunity. Some guys are like, ‘no matter what I do, I’m behind David (Njoku). I’m behind Chris (Herndon). I’m not going to play,’ or however it is. It’s not the right attitude, but it’s typical for young guys, who are not mature enough to know that they are competing for a job the minute they walk on the campus. I think when guys know they are closer to having the ability to play and be counted on, it changes how they go about their business. We’ll watch and we’ll see. We don’t have to use a lot of two tight end sets that’s for sure – like we did for David (Njoku) and Chris (Herndon). If somebody steps up, we’ll do that. If not, we’ll find other ways to get the best five skill guys on the field.”
On the growth of quarterback Jack Allison…
“Well first of all, he had every opportunity to move into the second team job. We weren’t going to sit here and say that everybody was trying to beat out Brad today. That was not a very realistic thing to say. Everybody knew there was a battle for second team and he was in town and he had an opportunity to do that, but in my opinion, he wasn’t ready for that position. Now he has been with us for a full year and he knows a lot more about the system and he knows a lot more is at stake, so I’m expecting him to compete well.”
On whether Miami’s front seven can do even better next season…
“Well, I think if everybody comes back with the right attitude of turning it up a notch from what we did last offseason and getting into the best shape possible and continue to play hard, we’ll be in good shape. It’s a good bunch.”
On having a full year to go through the recruiting process…
“I think it’s always good to have a whole year during the recruiting process and it’s even better to have two or three years ahead of it because you are locating kids in the ninth, 10th and 11th grade. We are creating relationships with young kids that will pay off further down the road. I think it is definitely a better situation than it was a year ago.”
On the progression of Evan Shirreffs…
“Evan has done a really good job of learning what to do and taking it from the meeting room to the practice field. He’s very consistent in what he does and he’ll definitely be in the race.”
