Weekly Football Press Conference Quotes
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2010
Head Coach Jim Grobe
On the senior class ...
"We started out with a small senior class when we recruited these guys. There were only 14 scholarship players in this class. That wouldn't have been bad if we had hung on to all of them. Seven of them are still here, and we've had situations this year when we've only started four of them. The group that is left is a bunch of good guys. In some cases, we've never had better guys than the seven that are still here. More than anything else, we have a feeling of appreciation. There is a feeling of loss when they leave, but we're proud of them and they're going to leave with a degree. They're going to go on and do some really good things for society and our country. They're really great people."
On the end of the season nearing ...
"It's a season that we don't really want to end. We've tried a lot of things to try and get this group to click. Offensively, we started out in the option and got all our quarterbacks banged up doing that. We got more into a throw mode, and now we've gotten back to trying to mix it up by running it and throwing it. Defensively, we started out in a multiple deal, and when we had to play so many freshman, we got settled into four- and three-man fronts. We've settled into more of a three-man front at the end of the season. From a coaching perspective, it's really good for us to continue to play because every week we're tweaking things to see what the best combination for these guys is. I feel bad for our seniors because it is going to end pretty quickly, but for our young guys, I think this has been some invaluable stuff that we have been doing the past few weeks."
On how his coaching demeanor helps his players ...
"My problem is, by nature, I'm a pretty aggressive guy. During my coaching career, when I've lost my temper, I kind of quit thinking a little bit. Most people might say I don't think much anyways. For me, the emotion has to come from the players. My number one concern when we take the field on Saturday is to try and be as even-keeled as possible. There will be things happen and bad things happen. When the bad things happen, I don't want the players to panic because they see the coach panic. From our perspective, we're trying to think through a game and give our kids the best chance to win."
On Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's animated coaching style ...
"He gets stirred up pretty good. He's a young guy, so his heart can probably handle that a little better than mine. I think he calls some of their plays, so as a play caller you can definitely get more emotionally involved. I think he does a great job. He certainly gets excited, and there is nothing wrong with that."
On what Clemson will bring to the table ...
"How talented they are really goes without saying. They have first round draft picks. They have a physically imposing defense. Offensively, they are big up front. They have a lot of good skill guys. They have a big running back, and they have a quarterback that can do some amazing things. This is another Clemson team that is really, really talented."
Senior Linebacker Hunter Haynes
On his five seasons at Wake Forest...
"It's been a great ride. I've had a lot of fun here, we've played a lot of great guys. I've really enjoyed playing for the coaches and being a part of this program. It's been an honor."
On his best memory from playing at Wake...
"I don't know if it was early in my career with all the wins and the success we had. It's just a collection of memories: all the guys I've been able to play with and the friends I've made. Coach Grobe's always instilled a great work ethic in our team. Even though we're not seeing as much success this year, the guys still have the work ethic. I know these young guys with so much talent are going to be good in the upcoming seasons. It's just been a good ride for me."
On what he will be thinking as he takes the field at home one last time...
"I'm sure it will hit me right when I go through that it's my last one. It's kind of hard to believe right now, it's kind of surreal. I don't really know what's going to hit me, but I know it will be sad."
Senior Center Russell Nenon
On taking the field for his final home game...
"It's crazy. It seems like just yesterday that I was at the Orange Bowl. It's been a blast. I have to thank Coach Lobo and Coach Grobe for giving me the opportunity to come here. It's something that I'm going to hold onto forever. It's disappointing that my senior year's gone this way, but I really, really enjoyed being on this team. We worked very hard, but sometimes things just didn't go our way. We're going to work hard the last two weeks and hopefully give us a win heading into the spring."
On how tough it is to end his career with a losing season...
"I went into the summer off shoulder surgery and I worked harder than I've ever worked. I dreamed that I was going to take us back to a bowl. We had a unified vision that we were going to go back to a bowl game. Certain pieces fell out of place, and certain pieces weren't there, but I feel like this team is very set for the future. Unfortunately, that's not my senior year. I've stayed positive the entire year, the team's stayed positive, and it just says something about the players that Coach Grobe has recruited. We're able, through tough times, to grow as players and to learn that football isn't all fun and games the entire time."
On whether he would choose Wake again given the chance...
"Of course. I would do it over and over again. The ability to say I won and helped us win an ACC championship, and going to three straight bowl games is great. Hopefully next year they'll return to a bowl game. I hope I planted a couple of seeds to help return them back to success. It's going to be a high point in my life, and I would never trade it. Coach Grobe and his staff are so unique in coaching today. It's great that I'm going to leave here with great teammates, great friends and many connections for the future."
Senior Linebacker Lee Malchow
On playing in his last home game...
"It's going to be a special game. Of course the Tigers are coming in and we want to get a win. I have a lot of special memories here at Wake Forest. It will be the last home game so it will be fun."
On playing Clemson...
"They are big and fast. (Quarterback) Kyle Parker is very talented. They can make big plays on any play so you have to be ready and know what they are doing."
On whether he would have changed anything about his experience at Wake Forest...
"No sir, I wouldn't change a thing. I enjoyed my time and loved playing for Coach Grobe and all of his assistant coaches. They're great coaches. I had a lot of fun and we had some success early at Wake Forest. I wish we could have had a better year this year. I wish we could have gone out with a good senior year."
On having a tough senior season...
"It's tough. You kind of feel like the senior class is remembered for its record its senior year. We would not like to be 2-8 right now. It's not how you want to remember it. It's tough."
