Tracy Claeys talked about recruiting, recruiting schedules and the hiring of two new coaches, Bart Miller and Jay Johnson.
1) Sid asked Claeys his general question, “how are things going?”
Sounding upbeat, Claeys replied that the national college football convention in San Antonio, TX is starting tomorrow, and Thursday they’ll be hitting the road recruiting (“dead period” will have ended).
2) Sid asked about the recent hiring of assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and Minnesota native Jay Johnson and offensive line coach Bart Miller:
“When hiring you have 2, 3, 4 guys in mind and 100 that are recommended.” Claeys answered.
“Offensive line coach Bart Miller - knew him from (his days at) Wisconsin and New Mexico State . . . Does a great job in run-blocking . . . felt he was a good fit,” Claeys said.
In answering Sid’s question, Claeys did not mention Johnson’s hiring; however, he did in a question by Dave Mona, later on in the program.
3) Dave Mona wanted to know what Gopher fans “can look forward to on offense:”
(We’ll) “take advantage of what the defense will give us,” Claeys replied. He went onto say that every defense has a weakness and they must find the weakness and exploit it.
As far as the offense in general terms, Claeys said they must be able to run the ball, especially given the change in weather and conditions of the upper Midwest in late fall. However, they must be able to pass when the opposition has eight to nine players on the front line. He’s also looking for “more consistency” on offense. He said he'd like score a touchdown in each quarter. He added that if you score more than 30 points you have a chance to win.
IMO, he sounded excited with the two new hires and expects improvement on the offensive side of the line.
4) Sid asked about recruiting and players backing out from their commitments to play for the Gophers:
Claeys was not able to elaborate in answering Sid’s question about recruiting because of NCAA regulations. However, he did say that 17 and 18 year-olds changing their minds in the recruiting process is not unusual; “they often want to look around” especially when there are changes in coaching staffs.
In general, Claeys said recruiting is going well, is excited that the “dead period” is ending and that they have two weekends for recruiting visits before National Signing Day.
5) Dave Mona inquired about the number of tenders available for the 2016 recruiting class:
Claeys responded by saying they can over sign three and that he expects that they’ll have 25 signees this year.
6) Dave Mona then asked about fifth year seniors that are considering playing next year:
I’m not sure of the two names that Claeys gave in his answer. I believe one was tight end Lincoln Plsek.
Claeys said a lot will depend on their “injury situation” (Those seeking a medical redshirt). As Claeys has said in the past, they’ll know a lot more when spring ball is completed.
7) Sid asked if any players - other than Mitch Leidner - have undergone surgeries after the December bowl game:
Sounding pleased and upbeat – “First, we won the bowl game and no major injuries.” He said they’re going to be the healthiest they’ve been in three or four years going into spring drills.
When Tracy completed his answer, Dave Mona wanted to know if Adam Weber will back next year as a 2nd year grad assistant: Claeys quickly answered, “Yes.”
In answering Dave’s query, Claeys mentioned the Gophers new offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Jay Johnson. He's obviously pleased with the new addition to the coaching staff.
8) Sid asked about the seven signees who will be in school this month and available for spring drills, and if any would have an impact right away:
The two players that he expects to have an impact this spring are JUCO offensive linemen Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright.
Claeys didn’t mention any other players from the early signing group. However, Tracy said, as he has in recent weeks, that spring ball is about position evaluation and not depth charts. All positions are open.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked Claeys his general question, “how are things going?”
Sounding upbeat, Claeys replied that the national college football convention in San Antonio, TX is starting tomorrow, and Thursday they’ll be hitting the road recruiting (“dead period” will have ended).
2) Sid asked about the recent hiring of assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and Minnesota native Jay Johnson and offensive line coach Bart Miller:
“When hiring you have 2, 3, 4 guys in mind and 100 that are recommended.” Claeys answered.
“Offensive line coach Bart Miller - knew him from (his days at) Wisconsin and New Mexico State . . . Does a great job in run-blocking . . . felt he was a good fit,” Claeys said.
In answering Sid’s question, Claeys did not mention Johnson’s hiring; however, he did in a question by Dave Mona, later on in the program.
3) Dave Mona wanted to know what Gopher fans “can look forward to on offense:”
(We’ll) “take advantage of what the defense will give us,” Claeys replied. He went onto say that every defense has a weakness and they must find the weakness and exploit it.
As far as the offense in general terms, Claeys said they must be able to run the ball, especially given the change in weather and conditions of the upper Midwest in late fall. However, they must be able to pass when the opposition has eight to nine players on the front line. He’s also looking for “more consistency” on offense. He said he'd like score a touchdown in each quarter. He added that if you score more than 30 points you have a chance to win.
IMO, he sounded excited with the two new hires and expects improvement on the offensive side of the line.
4) Sid asked about recruiting and players backing out from their commitments to play for the Gophers:
Claeys was not able to elaborate in answering Sid’s question about recruiting because of NCAA regulations. However, he did say that 17 and 18 year-olds changing their minds in the recruiting process is not unusual; “they often want to look around” especially when there are changes in coaching staffs.
In general, Claeys said recruiting is going well, is excited that the “dead period” is ending and that they have two weekends for recruiting visits before National Signing Day.
5) Dave Mona inquired about the number of tenders available for the 2016 recruiting class:
Claeys responded by saying they can over sign three and that he expects that they’ll have 25 signees this year.
6) Dave Mona then asked about fifth year seniors that are considering playing next year:
I’m not sure of the two names that Claeys gave in his answer. I believe one was tight end Lincoln Plsek.
Claeys said a lot will depend on their “injury situation” (Those seeking a medical redshirt). As Claeys has said in the past, they’ll know a lot more when spring ball is completed.
7) Sid asked if any players - other than Mitch Leidner - have undergone surgeries after the December bowl game:
Sounding pleased and upbeat – “First, we won the bowl game and no major injuries.” He said they’re going to be the healthiest they’ve been in three or four years going into spring drills.
When Tracy completed his answer, Dave Mona wanted to know if Adam Weber will back next year as a 2nd year grad assistant: Claeys quickly answered, “Yes.”
In answering Dave’s query, Claeys mentioned the Gophers new offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Jay Johnson. He's obviously pleased with the new addition to the coaching staff.
8) Sid asked about the seven signees who will be in school this month and available for spring drills, and if any would have an impact right away:
The two players that he expects to have an impact this spring are JUCO offensive linemen Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright.
Claeys didn’t mention any other players from the early signing group. However, Tracy said, as he has in recent weeks, that spring ball is about position evaluation and not depth charts. All positions are open.
Go Gophers!!
