Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript (1/18/05)
Press Conference Introducing Linebackers Coach Steve Russ and Quarterbacks Coach Major Applewhite
January 16, 2005
Opening Statement:
“I want to take this opportunity to introduce our first two coaches who will be joining us. First, our new linebacker coach Steve Russ. He is coming from Ohio University. He played for me at the Denver Broncos and was part of two Super Bowl championships. He played at the Air Force Academy and was a lieutenant in the Air Force. He is a young man who I have a very close relationship with and am very excited to bring him onboard.
He fits the profile that I talked about the other day: great energy, enthusiasm, intelligent and great integrity. I think that he will be a fine additional on our staff and look forward to seeing him get started with these young student-athletes here.
He is a person who has a wonderful wife. She told me she has rank in their house. She is a captain, a pilot and obviously, runs the household too. I am honored that he has come along with us and very excited to get him out on the road recruiting and go from there.
The other person that I will introduce is our new quarterback coach, Major Applewhite, from the University of Texas. Major is a young man who I got to spend the last year with at Texas. I got to see first-hand the qualities that helped him be the kind of player he was at the University of Texas, and why he was able to perform the way he did and how the skills he developed as a football player are also many skills that are going to help him to be a very fine football coach. He is a person who developed himself to the fullest, mentally and physically, to perform the way that he did. I know that it is going to help him down the road as a coach.
I would like to say that I am a real good influence on him, being that he just got engaged the other day. I am excited for him in that regard. I think that he is going to be a real fine addition. I know what he can do for young quarterbacks. I also know how he feels about student-athletes and their development as people. I look forward to watching him developing these people as he works here.”
On putting his mark on the staff:
“I know how critical it is. I think it is the most important thing right now. We have to put a staff together that fits the profile as I have mentioned before. I have enjoyed doing it, it is a process though and it’s one that I am pecking away at. I think we are making a lot of progress. I think that starting today with these two guys it’s a step in the right direction, I know it is. It’s the beginning and we have a lot of work ahead of us here over the next few days to solidify the rest of the staff. I think when it is all said and done, you are going to be very excited about it.”
On what is next with getting his staff together:
“We are close on making some more appointments. I am in the interviewing process as we speak today and I will be again tomorrow. It’s coming but it has to move quickly and I feel like I am getting closer and closer towards the end. It’s a race and we are running as fast as we can.”
On Steve Russ and Major Applewhite:
“I am running the defense and I want people who understand what I am talking about at the same time, they are going to have the energy and enthusiasm that we are looking for to coach defense the way I believe it needs to be coached. On the offensive side of the ball, I think it might be a more gray staff, other than a guy like Major, just because the expertise is going to have to come from someone other than myself. Don’t get me wrong, Steve has spent a lot of time in football. When you play in the NFL and prepare in the NFL and do the things he has done, not just as a linebackers coach but with special teams, he is very capable.”
On how important it is to have a guy who played for him on his staff:
“I think it is very helpful to me. It’s also helpful because I know what it is all about. If you know enough about me, there are a lot of things that are very important to me about people, and Steve fits every criteria. I don’t think you go wrong with a person like him.”
On when he plans on sitting down with the former staff:
“I have tried to keep the different coaches updated on what is going on. I talked with some yesterday and I talked with some today keeping them informed of the situation. As time goes on and things formulate more and more, we will see how it all works. Right now, I am not trying to keep a mystery, I am just trying to work this thing as it happens. I think those coaches understand the process that I am going through and at the same time, I am trying to be sensitive to them and I understand their world. I am trying to be cautious in the way I go about hiring and talking to the guys and showing the respect they deserve.”
On his timetable for having his staff completed:
“I would hope for the end of the week. At the same time, I want to be methodical about it and make sure I am covering all bases. There has been people far and wide who have applied for positions, so I am trying to sort through as much as I can and not overlook people. It takes time.”
On his first week as a head coach:
“I am still very excited. It’s sounds very redundant to keep saying excited, but it is. I am looking forward to Tuesday meeting with the team. I think getting with the team and delivering the message of where we are headed is the other part of the process that is so important. It’s been great and a lot of hard work, but I’m not complaining.”
