Clawson Presser--"A Degree and a Championship"

Humor-wise (and content-wise) these opening deals are usually a little bland--usually lots of thank yous and platitudes. With that in mind, we don't delay. Anything I outright make up will be in orange.

The presser began with the cheerleaders leading a cheer to the sounds of "Forward Falcons" which was kind of corny, but cool, too.

The Communications guy said that it was BGSU's first web-streamed athletic event. I watched it, and it worked pretty well.

He asked that no one stand and clap until it was over (winning today's award for presumption).

Greg Christopher talked.

The first reference to "the next level" came at 2:36. PM.

GC actually had some interesting things to say. First, he watched Richmond play App. State in the FCS semi-final "one year and five days ago," and filed away Dave Clawson's name in a "mental file," perhaps beginning a subliminal deatwatch to the Brandon tenure.

He said they met 10 days ago for three hours at the Montgomery Inn. They did not share ribs, as that would have been inappropriate. (no, he said that).

They noted similar philosophies. Then 5 days ago he did a full presentation about the program.

Christopher went on to say that he felt Clawson was committed to running a "total program," fitting his rationale for letting a nominally winning coach go two weeks ago.

He also dropped that Clawson has recruited Ohio.

Next, the new Coach came up.

To answer your main question--baseball cap, not jersey.

He complimented Christopher on being "close to the vest," (which he is), and that he didn't even think he was a serious candidate until 12 hours ago.

But he's ready to get into the "foxhole" with Greg Christopher.

Then, he mentioned his wife, and he actually choked up when he recalled what he had "put her through" over the last 10 months. This is worth thinking about...they pick up from Richmond, go to Knoxville, where the situation goes really bad. He had to have been abused in the media and the fanspace there this year. And then, out of that hell, one year later, you're heading to a new town. Also, it is possible he thought he wouldn't get back to head coaching, or at least so soon.

Said he turned down a BCS coordinator position.

He has recruited Cleveland and Youngstown (at Fordham, playing on the Catholic connection) and had Cincy for Tennessee.

He said BG must win recruiting Ohio. (Is this a reaction to the Brandon/Meyer more national perspective? My guess is that is the direction the school wants to go in).

He is looking for strong staff ties. When he went to Richmond, he knew nothing about Virginia. His first three hires were from Virginia.

He said to recruit Ohio well, we have to give players a great experience, so they go back home at talk BG up as "the best 4-5 years of my life." Here he dropped a great mission statement for our program:

"Each player should go home with a degree and a championship."

In my mind, you can't say it (or do it) any better than that.

Showing some self-deprecation that might seperate him from his predecessor, he said that he went to Fordham where they had 12 losing seasons, and the first year he "made it worse." Anyway, said he learned a lot, and has continued to learn right up until he learned about a big-time program last year at Tennessee.

Here is his to do list.

1. Take care of business "this weekend" (nice) on recruiting, keeping commits and filling the class. There is one week left in the open recruiting period.
2. Form a staff. Nothing more important.
3. Work with the existing players. He notes he is asking for their "blind trust."

His goal for any program is sustained success. No spikes.

He also noted that there is no need to gut the program here.

On offense, he said he is not a "system guy," another clear break from the previous coach. At this level, he said, your system has to flexible enough to make best use of your players. He said the players asked if we would use the spread and he said "if our four best players are wide receivers, then we'll be in a lot of 4 WR sets."

He has coached teams that ran well and teams that passed well.

His offensive goal is to get the ball to "playmakers in space." Another pretty good offensive mission statement.

He said the players, not plays, win games.

Then, he left the podium to the sounds of ay-ziggy-zoomba and more cheerleaders.

I am fired up. I don't know what it is, but I think this guy has it. He seems confident without being arrogant about himself or his "system." He has the right goals, and has already proven he can get there. I can't wait to see how he does.