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Gopher FB coach Tracy Claeys appeared on the WCCO Sports Huddle with Sid and Dave on Sunday, Aug 7. (Note - the Claeys segment was pre-recorded because of the Gophers' practice times)
Sid: What looks different this year?
TC: Have experienced QB coming back. things Mitch did this summer - work with WR this summer - worked awfully hard to make sure we have a close team - closest team we've had. best team athletically. disappointed in last year - we expected more - bowl win was great . kids with higher expectations.
Sid: what's different about being head coach at start of season?
TC: I'm responsible for making sure kids are ready for 1st game. very fortunate coach Kill kept all his info in notebooks. been going thru making sure all situations in practice are covered. used to worry about just one side of the ball - more responsibility.
Sid: diff in Leidner?
TC: lost 20 lbs- healthy - moving better - 1st time felt 100% in 2 years - means a lot to him.
Sid: throw the ball more?
TC: got to be balanced. throw it before we have to throw it. two backs pretty talented - if the line can move people - got to be able to run FB. don't always want to be going into the teeth of the defense. make sure doing things our kids are good at doing - find weaknesses in defense.
Sid: did you think you were going to be head coach?
TC: didn't think it was going to happen this soon always thought I'd take over from Coach Kill.
Sid: keep in contact with Kill?
TC: just talked to to him. getting ready to get started at Kansas State. he's always available. like my insurance policy.
Sid: Poock - LB - how much difference will he make?
TC: got a great nose for the ball - put in time in weight room - added bulk and size to upper body - excited to see him work.
Sid: got travis back at DB?
TC: makes big difference having him back. work with those younger kids - takes experience to get kids lined up in secondary
Sid: offense different with new coach?
TC: wanted to make sure one guy was in charge. come game day it's going to be his show. take advantage of what defenses give us. be more multiple - spread field more. got to play better in o-line. Coach Miller done great job.
Sid: new coaches make difference?
TC: QB's like working with coach johnson - put more on their plate - make reads and get out of bad plays. Coach Miller - be road-graders, knock people off ball- protect the QB. they will enjoy challenge of playing more physical up front.
Sid: What looks different this year?
TC: Have experienced QB coming back. things Mitch did this summer - work with WR this summer - worked awfully hard to make sure we have a close team - closest team we've had. best team athletically. disappointed in last year - we expected more - bowl win was great . kids with higher expectations.
Sid: what's different about being head coach at start of season?
TC: I'm responsible for making sure kids are ready for 1st game. very fortunate coach Kill kept all his info in notebooks. been going thru making sure all situations in practice are covered. used to worry about just one side of the ball - more responsibility.
Sid: diff in Leidner?
TC: lost 20 lbs- healthy - moving better - 1st time felt 100% in 2 years - means a lot to him.
Sid: throw the ball more?
TC: got to be balanced. throw it before we have to throw it. two backs pretty talented - if the line can move people - got to be able to run FB. don't always want to be going into the teeth of the defense. make sure doing things our kids are good at doing - find weaknesses in defense.
Sid: did you think you were going to be head coach?
TC: didn't think it was going to happen this soon always thought I'd take over from Coach Kill.
Sid: keep in contact with Kill?
TC: just talked to to him. getting ready to get started at Kansas State. he's always available. like my insurance policy.
Sid: Poock - LB - how much difference will he make?
TC: got a great nose for the ball - put in time in weight room - added bulk and size to upper body - excited to see him work.
Sid: got travis back at DB?
TC: makes big difference having him back. work with those younger kids - takes experience to get kids lined up in secondary
Sid: offense different with new coach?
TC: wanted to make sure one guy was in charge. come game day it's going to be his show. take advantage of what defenses give us. be more multiple - spread field more. got to play better in o-line. Coach Miller done great job.
Sid: new coaches make difference?
TC: QB's like working with coach johnson - put more on their plate - make reads and get out of bad plays. Coach Miller - be road-graders, knock people off ball- protect the QB. they will enjoy challenge of playing more physical up front.
