March 22, 2005
Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Michael Haywood
On how things are going so far …
“The guys are starting to buy into the system and realizing what they have to do go get better, so that’s been fun. And with Coach Cutcliffe being out, Coach Weis has joined in and taken over the coaching of the quarterbacks and it has given them a different perspective from a different quarterbacks coach and that has been instrumental and a lot of fun in listening to him.”
On getting all of the experienced players on the same page with the new system …
“I think it’s going to be a learning curve with different protections and a different running game and a different passing game. Our objective is to make it as simple for them as we can. At the same time, when a young man has had the opportunity to play, experience is invaluable and there is recall. Because when you call a play they say `this is to this what that is to that’ and they can relate a little better.”
Defensive Line Coach Jappy Oliver
A couple goals heading into spring practice …
“Obviously we want to see how they handle our package. The more they handle our package, the more we like to put in. I know we like to move a lot. We do a lot of stunting whether it be run or pass or things of that nature. If you don’t have pass rushers, obviously we’ve lost one to the draft, but if you don’t have a pass rusher, guys who can really come off the edge you have to be pretty creative with how you are going to get pressure on people. So that is going to be a goal of ours to see how we can get pressure.”
What’s impressive about the new coaching staff …
“Just the way he (Coach Weis) went about putting it together. So far I think we’ve gelled and mixed well together. From an offensive standpoint those guys really seem to work well together. We actually got a chance to go against the Ole Miss crew so we know firsthand what we are getting over there. And from a defensive standpoint, the fact that I’ve worked with Rick (Minter) before and I’ve known coach (Bill) Lewis for awhile and down to Brian Polian I think we work well together and it’s a strong staff.”
Assistant Head Coach (Defense)/Defensive Backs Coach Bill Lewis
His impressions of the players so far …
“In the physical work that we’ve done in the off-season I’ve found our guys to be a very enthusiastic and energetic group. I think that has shown up to other coaches. I’ve heard other favorable comments about the defensive backs as they’ve passed through other stations during practice with the different coaches and that’s good to hear. As Coach Weis said, we have an intelligent group of players here. We will throw a lot at them in the spring. We are going to teach them the parts and show them how it all fits together. And then just progress as quickly as we possibly can. But you also don’t want to get ahead of yourself and get caught up in the scheme that you forget to teach the basics.”
Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Rick Minter
On implementing the new system during the spring …
“We have our way of doing things in terms of at what rate can we digest, perform, excel in and expand on. Players will dictate that and time will dictate that. We’ll lay a plan out there for them and see who can latch on and see who can grow and develop in to that plan and who struggles and who needs extra time and who isn’t quite as far along as we would like them to be. Anytime you have a coaching change, sometimes half of your guys are happy and half of them are sad and that is older guys feel they have to prove themselves all over again and younger guys feel maybe they weren’t given a fair chance and this is their new chance. It’s all funny how things work out with kids. They are all 18 to 21 years old and they all view change differently. We told them the first day that change can be good only if we embrace it. In this case we think it can be for the good but they’ll dictate that as the course of the spring lays itself out.”
Tight Ends And Special Teams Coach Bernie Parmalee
On what attracted him to come and coach at Notre Dame …
“First I know Coach Weis and he’s a winner. I knew what he wanted to do at the University and it’s a challenge. I’ve always been about challenges. So it was about can we get a staff together first and can we come in and work with the players to get the program to where it used to be and that is a challenge. It’s just like as a player you played because challenge is competition.”
Director of Football Personnel Development Ron Powlus
On what his role will be at Notre Dame …
“I think one of the reasons I’m even in this position is because I’m a former player and I know Coach Weis wanted to fill this position that I’m in with a former player. As a former student-athlete, I can talk to a recruit or a current player and actually speak from experience because I know what it’s like to have a test on Thursday, practice on Friday and USC on Saturday. It’s a unique atmosphere around here and I do have that experience and I think that’s why coach wanted a former player in this position and be a resource for these current players in that regard.”