Week off, good to get back into game week. Tough opponent coming up with OSU. OSU had chances against Baylor last week, has a really balanced offense with run and pass. QBs and WRs are really talented, one of the best defensive fronts they'll face all year long.
Did a lot of self evaluation. Have had their issues on defense, has a lot of confidence in Bedford, knows he'll do a good job. Looked at the games they've played and how much better they could have been.
Have to get better in three areas ... fundamentally, concepts/schemes and have to devise game plan where they have to be successful and not give up big plays. Can live with a guy playing hard, if a guy makes a mistake the coach will take the hit. Players have played hard, just haven't played smart.
Personnel, wants to make sure the right players are playing and guys who can make plays, can run around and go hit. Has a lot of ideas that can make them better with their scheme. They'll use some of those which will be very helpful.
The defensive issues are on Strong also, not just the defensive staff. They're going to get it fixed. It's a process, have to get better each and every day, have to work to get better. When you have pride and emotion, those things will happen for you.
Strong sat down with defensive staff, talked, put film up. Told them they are accountable for their position. Have to get better results than they're getting, can't give up deep ball, have to get off blocks up front and have to run with their backers. Was important to sit down and do self-evaluations, guys had to check their egos at the door and they have to get better.
Three games into the season, didn't see that changing the DC or job duties would help them. Didn't see at this time, how that would help.
Vance is a professional, it's not like he all of a sudden forgot how to coach defense. Won a national title together at Florida. Bedford won one at Michigan. Had great defenses at Louisville. He knows they need to get better, he'll be one of the first ones to say it. He'll own up to it, won't run from it.
On Perkins, that's one guy who Strong was totally upset about. Perkins was upset with himself too. He knows that's not who Perkins is, it will not define him. He'll be suspended this game, there will be counseling, will be community service and punishment within the program. Strong still believes in him, but understands the situation. Told his teammates, some of you were there, if you ever see someone in that position, help him out. Perkins will be in later today to speak. Says a lot about who he is.
This is a different team with a different attitude. Doesn't feel all the momentum from 2-0 start is gone. It's all about conference play now. On the road this week, will have to play well. Momentum hasn't shifted and they haven't lost it. Players are ready to move onto the next one.
Strong says to the team ... "why not us" winning the conference. They have a talented football team. They're young but that's no excuse. Have QBs, WR depth, good OL, good backs. If they can run the football, protect their QB, they're going to have a chance to score a lot of points. Defensively, have to control the line of scrimmage, have to make plays. Kicking game has been good. "Why not us? Take it one game at a time." Go play hard for 60 minutes ... team is very talented, told them to step out of their comfort zone, go play fast. "We are the fastest, most physical team in college football. Let's go prove it."
You can improve on schemes. They have to be multiple. Offenses are so sophisticated now, have to be multiple, have to give them different looks, have to be aggressive and go attack people.
It's not a confidence issue, it's "what can we do best, let's get the right personnel out there and go do it." It's all about concepts, who you're facing. They know they're going to face a good QB this week, a good offense overall. There are skill players in this league, they're going to win some 1 on 1 match-ups but Texas has to be able to win some of those as well.
In the Cal game, there were probably about 10 plays where they just didn't play well, looked bad. Had fundamental breakdowns. It's about communication on the back end. In the back end, if they call a check, make sure the other guys get it.
Last week, the guys were focused and locked in. Usually on open dates, guys kind of go through the motions. They had three really good days of practice last week. You don't want to see a loss, but it got their attention.
Early game on Saturday, you're going to have two teams coming off a loss, both need to get it on the right track. It's going to be a great match-up. It's all about getting off to a good start to make sure you play well. On the road, have to play great defense, be disciplined. Have to get off to a good start, make sure they're focused and locked in.
Strong is really comfortable with the offense. People think it's a pass happy league, it really isn't. Teams are really balanced. On defense, you can prevent those big plays if you play smart and put players in a good position. Can't have big plays. Have to be sound. Texas has really good personnel, have to get them to go play.
Didn't want to give any names of young guys he'll put out there. "It will be fun watching them."
With Perkins out ... the second week against UTEP, they moved some guys around. Now you have Alex Anderson, McMillon who have played. They're able to put the pieces together. Vahe healthy, Connor Williams healthy, Shack is back ... they have enough good bodies to put things together.
On Miles ... it's a tough profession, expectations are always high. It's a challenge each and every day, you just go out and coach hard every day, go as hard as you can.
Michael Dickson ... after the play against OSU last year, he put it behind him. He's a tremendous punter, when he gets into a groove, there's no telling how far he can kick it. He's only getting better, can place the ball wherever they need it placed.
Like to think this is a tough team mentally and physically, it all comes down to the team needs to improve. They have issues on defense but it's both sides of the ball. Guys have to believe in themselves. They understand this is a conference game and they need to get off to a good start.
Guys already have a pretty good idea if they'll redshirt. If a guy hasn't played in three games, there's a good chance they'll redshirt, especially if they didn't travel the last game.
The open week came early. You'd love to have one in the middle of the schedule. Have to continue to keep players fresh, not wear them down.
The players have total confidence. When you build a relationship with your players, there won't be any second guessing. Preaches to his coaches all the time, make sure you have a relationship with the players and you understand them, and they understand you. Players have confidence in Bedford, have tried to put it on themselves.
Perkins is a senior, is old enough to drink. Strong doesn't drink. Tells them all the time, if you are intoxicated and get behind the wheel, you're risking your life and the life of others. Told players, they have to look out for one another. Other players were there, and let him go. Strong has a pretty hard stand on alcohol because he doesn't drink. Have to take care of one another but have to make good decisions too.
Criteria for playing young guys, started two freshmen at corner last year. Leaders in back end, Haines and Hall have played a lot of football. But it's always about putting guys in position to make plays. Brandon Jones has a lot of athletic ability, is really a special player.
That's it for today.
Did a lot of self evaluation. Have had their issues on defense, has a lot of confidence in Bedford, knows he'll do a good job. Looked at the games they've played and how much better they could have been.
Have to get better in three areas ... fundamentally, concepts/schemes and have to devise game plan where they have to be successful and not give up big plays. Can live with a guy playing hard, if a guy makes a mistake the coach will take the hit. Players have played hard, just haven't played smart.
Personnel, wants to make sure the right players are playing and guys who can make plays, can run around and go hit. Has a lot of ideas that can make them better with their scheme. They'll use some of those which will be very helpful.
The defensive issues are on Strong also, not just the defensive staff. They're going to get it fixed. It's a process, have to get better each and every day, have to work to get better. When you have pride and emotion, those things will happen for you.
Strong sat down with defensive staff, talked, put film up. Told them they are accountable for their position. Have to get better results than they're getting, can't give up deep ball, have to get off blocks up front and have to run with their backers. Was important to sit down and do self-evaluations, guys had to check their egos at the door and they have to get better.
Three games into the season, didn't see that changing the DC or job duties would help them. Didn't see at this time, how that would help.
Vance is a professional, it's not like he all of a sudden forgot how to coach defense. Won a national title together at Florida. Bedford won one at Michigan. Had great defenses at Louisville. He knows they need to get better, he'll be one of the first ones to say it. He'll own up to it, won't run from it.
On Perkins, that's one guy who Strong was totally upset about. Perkins was upset with himself too. He knows that's not who Perkins is, it will not define him. He'll be suspended this game, there will be counseling, will be community service and punishment within the program. Strong still believes in him, but understands the situation. Told his teammates, some of you were there, if you ever see someone in that position, help him out. Perkins will be in later today to speak. Says a lot about who he is.
This is a different team with a different attitude. Doesn't feel all the momentum from 2-0 start is gone. It's all about conference play now. On the road this week, will have to play well. Momentum hasn't shifted and they haven't lost it. Players are ready to move onto the next one.
Strong says to the team ... "why not us" winning the conference. They have a talented football team. They're young but that's no excuse. Have QBs, WR depth, good OL, good backs. If they can run the football, protect their QB, they're going to have a chance to score a lot of points. Defensively, have to control the line of scrimmage, have to make plays. Kicking game has been good. "Why not us? Take it one game at a time." Go play hard for 60 minutes ... team is very talented, told them to step out of their comfort zone, go play fast. "We are the fastest, most physical team in college football. Let's go prove it."
You can improve on schemes. They have to be multiple. Offenses are so sophisticated now, have to be multiple, have to give them different looks, have to be aggressive and go attack people.
It's not a confidence issue, it's "what can we do best, let's get the right personnel out there and go do it." It's all about concepts, who you're facing. They know they're going to face a good QB this week, a good offense overall. There are skill players in this league, they're going to win some 1 on 1 match-ups but Texas has to be able to win some of those as well.
In the Cal game, there were probably about 10 plays where they just didn't play well, looked bad. Had fundamental breakdowns. It's about communication on the back end. In the back end, if they call a check, make sure the other guys get it.
Last week, the guys were focused and locked in. Usually on open dates, guys kind of go through the motions. They had three really good days of practice last week. You don't want to see a loss, but it got their attention.
Early game on Saturday, you're going to have two teams coming off a loss, both need to get it on the right track. It's going to be a great match-up. It's all about getting off to a good start to make sure you play well. On the road, have to play great defense, be disciplined. Have to get off to a good start, make sure they're focused and locked in.
Strong is really comfortable with the offense. People think it's a pass happy league, it really isn't. Teams are really balanced. On defense, you can prevent those big plays if you play smart and put players in a good position. Can't have big plays. Have to be sound. Texas has really good personnel, have to get them to go play.
Didn't want to give any names of young guys he'll put out there. "It will be fun watching them."
With Perkins out ... the second week against UTEP, they moved some guys around. Now you have Alex Anderson, McMillon who have played. They're able to put the pieces together. Vahe healthy, Connor Williams healthy, Shack is back ... they have enough good bodies to put things together.
On Miles ... it's a tough profession, expectations are always high. It's a challenge each and every day, you just go out and coach hard every day, go as hard as you can.
Michael Dickson ... after the play against OSU last year, he put it behind him. He's a tremendous punter, when he gets into a groove, there's no telling how far he can kick it. He's only getting better, can place the ball wherever they need it placed.
Like to think this is a tough team mentally and physically, it all comes down to the team needs to improve. They have issues on defense but it's both sides of the ball. Guys have to believe in themselves. They understand this is a conference game and they need to get off to a good start.
Guys already have a pretty good idea if they'll redshirt. If a guy hasn't played in three games, there's a good chance they'll redshirt, especially if they didn't travel the last game.
The open week came early. You'd love to have one in the middle of the schedule. Have to continue to keep players fresh, not wear them down.
The players have total confidence. When you build a relationship with your players, there won't be any second guessing. Preaches to his coaches all the time, make sure you have a relationship with the players and you understand them, and they understand you. Players have confidence in Bedford, have tried to put it on themselves.
Perkins is a senior, is old enough to drink. Strong doesn't drink. Tells them all the time, if you are intoxicated and get behind the wheel, you're risking your life and the life of others. Told players, they have to look out for one another. Other players were there, and let him go. Strong has a pretty hard stand on alcohol because he doesn't drink. Have to take care of one another but have to make good decisions too.
Criteria for playing young guys, started two freshmen at corner last year. Leaders in back end, Haines and Hall have played a lot of football. But it's always about putting guys in position to make plays. Brandon Jones has a lot of athletic ability, is really a special player.
That's it for today.
