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00:03 >> Well, we're definitely excited to play the University of Southern California in
00:07 the holiday poll.
00:08 I think our team understands if you play a brand team like that,
00:12 that it'll be an exciting game.
00:14 And they have a ton of talent and well coached.
00:17 And I think our guys will be fired up to go out there and play.
00:21 So, it's unfortunate we didn't finish the season exactly the way we wanted.
00:26 I thought our guys came ready to play, they practiced hard.
00:31 Just the game did not go the way we wanted and that starts with me.
00:36 And we just gotta fix a few things up and it was just a tough football game for us.
00:41 But we're excited to take a break right now, to take a final,
00:45 just a little bit of break from football.
00:47 Recruiting's going on.
00:48 We'll get back going middle to late next week on ball practice and
00:54 get ready for the ball game.
00:54 >> Jeff, is all, every ball game that you do,
01:00 is it kind of the same format and you take a little break?
01:03 Obviously, you've got so much recruiting going on.
01:05 Kind of how will you move once you get back next week going to the bowl?
01:09 How will you kind of schedule your guys and how much work do you get?
01:12 >> I think it's important that these guys get a break from football.
01:17 They've been going hard and long for a long time.
01:19 We had an extra game, it was a championship game, they need a break.
01:21 And we had some guys teamed up and banged up after this past game.
01:25 That they need some time to get healthy.
01:29 And some of it might take all the way until game time.
01:31 But they need to get refreshed and that's important.
01:36 And then once we get back going, I think we're very conscious to make sure we get
01:41 in good practices, make sure we really spend a lot of time with our young players.
01:47 Doing more and more at the end of each practice and
01:49 giving them plenty of reps and opportunities to show exactly where they're at.
01:54 And continue to develop them throughout the course of those practices.
01:58 But we'll give them a couple of breaks here and there.
02:02 And I'm not sure the exact details of what day we'll leave.
02:05 But we'll be smart with them and
02:07 there are certain guys we gotta get to the game healthy.
02:09 >> Jeff, this always comes up this time of year.
02:15 Have you gotten any indication or expect anybody to opt out of the bowl game,
02:19 any of your players?
02:21 >> I don't think as of right now, no one has opted out for the game.
02:24 I know Jordan and Ben Perry got negative in the last game.
02:32 And will be game time decisions even for the bowl game with this type of rest.
02:38 Austin Collins, appendix surgery and
02:46 we're trying to get him back for the game if he's possible.
02:49 So some things like that, but as far as opting out, everyone I think is ready to
02:52 play and they wanna play and are looking forward to playing this game.
02:56 >> You mentioned the value of younger guys getting more reps in practice.
03:02 How about in the game, do you see yourself working some more young guys into
03:06 the game itself or will you play it pretty much the way you did the first 13 games?
03:11 >> I think we're gonna play the game to win.
03:12 We always do and that'll be the philosophy is to play the game to win and
03:16 we'll do that first game of the year, last game of the year, bowl game.
03:20 Now with that said, the roster will be slightly different.
03:24 Without question, you could see some younger and
03:29 new guys emerge with playing time and we're definitely open to that.
03:32 We'll engage where they're at this month in practice, but that could easily happen.
03:38 >> In addition to the opting out, has there been discussions about guys potentially
03:45 deciding, okay, my career is done in college, I'm gonna start a professional pursuit?
03:50 >> I think right now, these guys are taking a break.
03:55 They haven't made those type of decisions.
03:57 I think they're probably gathering information between last game and
04:02 now, even going forward to make the best decision for them.
04:05 I'm sure some of that could happen.
04:10 I would anticipate if it does, it happens after the bowl game.
04:13 And we'll go from there.
04:16 But in the end, we wanna give our guys the best information we have.
04:21 Obviously, we'd love for all of them to stay and play.
04:24 But if it's a great situation for them to pursue their dream,
04:28 we'll support them 100%.
04:30 >> Lexi.
04:31 >> Just against right now, how do you balance the recruiting aspect while
04:34 evaluating what you may or may not have to know what to go after the quarter while
04:37 also preparing for the bowl game?
04:39 I guess, what is that like in prioritizing those different aspects?
04:43 >> I think it all goes on right now.
04:45 Right now, there's been a few people decide to move on.
04:49 And you have to constantly try to improve your roster and
04:55 your team and where you think you need to get better.
04:58 So without question, we're hard at work on that.
05:01 And that's the big focus between myself and all of our coaches and
05:06 support staff and recruiting staff.
05:08 We'll continue to monitor that, that changes daily.
05:11 It's just when you think you're feeling good, that can easily change daily.
05:16 So we're working hard at that.
05:19 I think we got a good method and system.
05:22 Try to be honest and try to present opportunities to people that
05:26 may be of their liking, but same time, it's not for everybody.
05:30 And we want guys that wanna be here that are hungry,
05:31 that wanna achieve their goals.
05:35 We wanna try to help them do that.
05:36 So, like I said, our guys are finishing finals now.
05:40 We want them to have a little bit of break from the field, some weight workouts.
05:43 We'll start going from there.
05:45 Of course, they'll start to kinda watch some film and get ready.
05:48 But this week, this weekend, most of next week until the end of the week,
05:56 we'll be used for recruiting quite a bit with our staff.
05:59 And then we'll start both practice and mixing recruiting both at the same time.
06:02 And then we'll use next weekend for business for recruits as well.
06:07 And then it technically goes dead as far as having people on campus.
06:12 >> Thanks.
06:13 >> What happened with FSU and the college football playoff?
06:18 It seemed to throw pretty much every other team in the ACC that was eligible.
06:21 I just wanted to get your thoughts on that ordeal.
06:23 That had a ripple effect and may have kept you guys out of the P6.
06:27 >> Well, it's unfortunate.
06:30 I think anytime a team can go 13 and 0 and
06:34 they're the conference champion, they should be able to advance.
06:38 And I know that the talk is they didn't have their star quarterback,
06:44 which is a great player without question.
06:46 But these guys went 13 and 0 and they had good wins.
06:50 And they won with whoever they had on the field and
06:54 a couple teams got in with one losses.
06:56 So I don't make the rules.
06:58 I think everybody's happy for this to expand to 12 teams next year and
07:03 have a legitimate chance for the 12 best teams to go on in advance and
07:08 try to win a championship.
07:09 But I know that'll be an exciting time for everybody.
07:12 But without question, I understand the severe disappointment in Florida State.
07:19 >> Coach Caleb Williams opted out of this bowl game.
07:22 So obviously, we've kind of been in this era where key players are opting out for
07:26 the NFL.
07:27 As a coach, going into these kind of bowl games, how do you strategize for
07:31 a team where, quite frankly, the tape doesn't match up with the team that you're
07:35 going up against now, that it's a backup quarterback?
07:37 And what do you do in that circumstance?
07:39 >> I think it's important that we just improve to get better.
07:42 We've made some key mistakes in the past couple games that we need to get fixed.
07:47 We need to coach better and have adjustments that can help us when we
07:51 get stale at times.
07:52 This past game, we've lost quite a few one-on-one battles that need to win.
07:58 Or if not, we need to figure out another way to get points and win games.
08:03 But obviously, the quarterback that they had is possible,
08:09 and the problem number one, picking a draft, and those things are gonna happen.
08:12 We have faced backup quarterbacks before,
08:18 and faced Florida State's 13th quarterback, didn't win the game.
08:22 But our defense played well.
08:22 So I just think we gotta improve and get better.
08:26 And we need to figure out ways to score points and get our mojo back and
08:32 play sound football and get guys to play hard and finish and wanna win.
08:37 And put forth that strength and extra effort.
08:39 And that's what you gotta do in a football game.
08:41 So we're just gonna try to get back to the basics and
08:44 understanding what it takes to win football games.
08:47 And I'm sure every team wants to go out there and finish the season strong.
08:52 So this team will come ready to play.
08:53 And if we're not ready, it won't be a good day for us.
08:56 So we wanna go out with a win.
08:57 We wanna work hard to try to win this football game.
09:00 >> From outside your team, I think the perception is you guys exceeded
09:07 expectations and had a good year from your standpoint,
09:11 now that you've gone through the 13th, how do you feel like you guys did?
09:14 >> Well, I am proud of our football team.
09:18 I think that they really worked hard this year.
09:20 They found a way to compete to the end, play hard, win some close football games,
09:26 find ways to improve and do some really good things.
09:31 So that's great.
09:32 And we wanna build off that without question.
09:34 And I think our guys were into it.
09:37 We had a chance, an opportunity to win a championship.
09:41 The other side of it is it's a disappointing finish for myself.
09:46 I wanted to win the last two games, our team did.
09:49 And we didn't find a way to get that done.
09:51 And when you go to a championship game and you're right in it in the fourth quarter,
09:56 with a chance to take a lead and win, and you can't get it done, it's disappointing.
10:01 And we have to find a way to make those plays and
10:05 make those adjustments and figure out a way to win in the end.
10:09 And so it's not a great feeling for me,
10:15 because I don't wanna let anybody down and we've now got work to do.
10:19 We got, I wanna win.
10:21 I think our players wanna win, our coaches do.
10:22 And you gotta take advantage of these opportunities when they come about.
10:26 So I think it's gonna be important to say everything,
10:29 you get the same hunger back, the same work ethic back,
10:33 the same fire in your belly that if you wanna be great, you gotta work at it.
10:36 And you gotta go produce come game day, and that's just kinda what you gotta do.
10:40 And if you do that, things take care of itself.
10:42 But if you worry about anything else, or lose confidence, or
10:46 lose that burning desire, then the results won't be good.
10:49 >> I guess as a follow up, have you noticed some confidence drop in guys?
10:56 And has that been something that you've had to address?
10:58 And I guess how much do you feel like the team has been, or
11:01 needs to play for you, say for pride, and
11:03 in the season with some momentum heading into next year?
11:05 >> No, I don't think our confidence has gone anywhere.
11:09 We didn't have a great fourth quarter.
11:10 Overall wasn't good enough on offense.
11:15 So my confidence needs to get back going because I think that we have
11:20 good players that work hard that wanna win.
11:24 So we've gotta present a better plan that gives them a better opportunity to
11:28 score points and help us win football games.
11:30 But these guys work hard, and I think they're upbeat.
11:33 They like to compete.
11:34 They'll get back here after the break and give us everything they got and
11:38 have fun going out there competing and playing.
11:40 And we gotta continue to just proceed forward.
11:43 When you play a really good football team, you gotta find ways to win.
11:48 So we just gotta make sure that we have answers and
11:51 we continue to play aggressive and continue to push the envelope and
11:56 try to play our best and coach our best every game.
11:59 >> Jeff, you've been through a lot, seen a lot in your career coaching.
12:04 How would you describe the portal in the last ten days or so for
12:09 not just you guys, but for everybody and how crazy it's been with guys in,
12:13 guys out, and Phoey and I, Ellen there.
12:16 How would you describe it?
12:17 How do you manage it?
12:18 >> Well, I try not to waste a whole lot of time.
12:22 You can try to figure that out.
12:25 I think in general, yeah, it's hectic, it changes.
12:28 It's nonstop.
12:30 You gotta work at it.
12:33 You gotta not get frustrated with things along the way.
12:37 There's a lot of things going on to it.
12:40 And working through this is just a process that you gotta just keep your composure.
12:50 Keep your beliefs and what you believe in as far as doing the right thing and
12:57 improving your team and doing it the right way with people that fit and
13:00 that can help your team win.
13:02 But also are good people that wanna work hard and
13:06 that are hungry and that are coming for the right reasons.
13:08 So a lot of things are balanced, but you have to investigate every scenario.
13:15 And that's the crazy thing about it is because of all the things that go
13:20 into transferring now, it changes every day and it changes every minute.
13:25 And you have to, in this sport, recruiting enough players to have options,
13:32 backup options, third options, fourth options at every position.
13:36 If you think you need those positions to help you win.
13:38 And at the same time, you have to have a pulse of your team and
13:42 make sure that everybody's feeling good about the direction we're going.
13:46 And it just takes a lot of work.
13:49 So it is what it is.
13:51 We're grinding away at it.
13:53 We will still do that.
13:54 And I think that our guys know we're gonna do everything in our power to try to win
13:58 football games and improve our team.
14:00 >> Jeff, a couple of things relating to the bowl.
14:04 Given the disappointment that you've talked about, do you look at this as sort
14:08 of the bowl game of when would maybe alleviate some of that and
14:12 give you a better outlook going into next season?
14:14 >> Well, all wins will make you feel good.
14:16 So yeah, we wanna try to win the game.
14:17 And I think anytime you play a brand team of USC that started off really hot,
14:22 and maybe unfortunately didn't play as well in defense as they would like,
14:27 towards the end, they're gonna be hungry.
14:30 They're out to prove themselves.
14:32 They got good coaches.
14:33 They got good players.
14:33 They got talent.
14:34 They can recruit the best guys across the country because of their brand.
14:39 And I'm sure just a few people opt out, there's gonna be backups ready that are
14:44 four and five star kids that wanna go out there and earn their stripes.
14:48 So we've got to improve and have a good couple weeks of practice and
14:53 go out there and try to play our best game.
14:56 >> If you had a chance to look at Marla on the back up?
15:02 >> No, I haven't had a really good study of that yet.
15:05 It's been kind of nonstop since.
15:07 So we'll get caught up on that here over the next week.
15:11 >> Jeff, you talked about getting a longer look at some of the younger players
15:16 leading up to the bowl game, how much do you use this as an opportunity to evaluate
15:19 how far like Bernie Allen and Pierce Clarkson have come as young quarterbacks?
15:24 >> Well, we're gonna use these couple weeks to definitely do that.
15:28 And we'll get as many game type reps as we can without trying to get guys injured.
15:32 But all those guys gotta improve.
15:34 They gotta work hard to be consistent, be able to perform,
15:40 gain the confidence, not only myself and our coaches, but their teammates.
15:43 And that's an important process.
15:45 So, and you can't do it without as meaningful reps as you can.
15:49 So we will definitely use these next couple weeks to give those people you
15:54 mentioned and others that we wanna get a hard look at plenty of quality reps
15:59 that we can judge as much as we can in a game like situation and
16:04 hope that we can continue to press forward on the improvement.
16:07 >> And just one quick follow up, you mentioned USC's brand.
16:10 It feels like the brand of this program has really taken the lead this season.
16:15 When you're out recruiting,
16:16 do you feel like people are looking at Louisville differently than when you first
16:20 started the job?
16:21 >> Well, I think we got a great brand.
16:22 And I think everywhere we recruit, we're viewed as that.
16:27 And people are interested and wanna come check it out.
16:31 And of course, every little thing matters.
16:32 So winning and improving, playing a signing brand of football,
16:37 everything we can do to continue to escalate that support.
16:41 But right now, we are in the ball game with quite a few people.
16:46 And it's just a matter of tying all those things in with everything else that is
16:51 involved with recruiting to try to piece it together and
16:55 add some pieces that we think really fit.
16:59 >> And three more, Michael, Alexis and Dustin.
17:02 >> Yeah, the month started with ACC Championship.
17:04 We got a bowl game in the end.
17:05 And then you've been talking about the transfer portal.
17:07 You also have the early signing period in December.
17:09 There was a quote, Josh Bate made the quote that whoever scheduled all this stuff in
17:14 December never have been head coaches.
17:16 From your perspective, what is this December this month like?
17:19 I mean, because it's changed quite a bit lately.
17:22 >> Well, that question, it's getting more hectic every year.
17:26 And it's just a time frame where you know that it's gonna be
17:32 nonstop for two straight weeks of piecing together and
17:36 getting guys on campus and getting a chance to meet them and
17:41 their families and then to meet us and see the facilities and
17:46 meet our players and get around them and see if it's a fit.
17:51 And it's just a, and those things change more and more now.
17:56 And there's a lot more reasons that people wanna come and be a part of it now,
18:01 that you have to factor into it that you did not used to have to.
18:05 So that's what can be tricky and you've gotta do the right thing by all.
18:12 But it is, it's busy.
18:14 I still try to find time to watch some film and
18:19 to make sure that football wise we're doing something a little bit every day to
18:22 kinda still put this thing together for our team.
18:26 Luckily we have a strength staff and people here that when the main coach is on
18:31 the road that are continuing to do that and making sure that our team is taken care
18:36 of and getting what they need to get rejuvenated and fresh for when we start back up.
18:41 So it's just a lot of work but after next weekend,
18:46 the ability to go on the road and
18:50 bring people on campus ends for a while, which is good.
18:54 But it doesn't mean that decisions are made yet and the thing is still active.
18:58 And now just that it becomes a phone call situation where you're
19:03 in communication that way.
19:05 And then of course once school starts in January,
19:09 then things will settle down slightly if your pieces are added.
19:13 But it'll be constantly going from there.
19:16 There'll be constant movement after that.
19:18 There'll be constant movement in the spring and
19:21 there'll be constant movement in the summer.
19:22 So that's just how they have set this thing up and
19:26 there's no reason for us to complain.
19:28 It is what it is and you just continue to adjust and try to do your best to be on top
19:33 of it and make sure we're all aware of what's going on.
19:37 Able to adjust quickly without getting upset or angry and
19:43 staying steadfast and are believed to put together the best thing we can.
19:48 >> Have you mentioned not having any opt outs?
19:51 Obviously that's kind of the thing right now as far as bowl games is seeing who's
19:55 gonna play, who's not gonna play.
19:56 I guess not having guys opt out or having guys that have said that they're gonna
20:01 play in these games even though they're looking at different options as far as
20:04 future, is that something you take pride in and
20:06 how much does that make it easier in terms of game prep?
20:08 >> Well, I think every year, excuse me, is different.
20:15 It's all based on how they view themselves and their future and
20:19 how sure they are of that future.
20:25 And I think right now we've got really good players that play hard and
20:31 wanna win and obviously some are gonna think about their future moving forward.
20:34 I think this game, in my opinion, is an important game to show what you can do and
20:39 to go out there and play a really good football game.
20:43 A lot of these guys will play in a senior bowl or
20:48 East West Shrine, so there's more football to be played.
20:51 So I think they understand to get another really good game on film where they play
20:56 well can be beneficial, and I believe scouts and teams look at that.
21:02 And without question, you're gonna have a few top draft picks
21:07 that may opt out for obvious reasons, but there's others that wanna improve their
21:11 stuff, and you definitely can't win a bowl game against good competition when you're
21:15 the only game on TV.
21:17 So I think that easily can happen with a lot of guys on our team.
21:21 >> Jeff, just going back to what happened with the playoff.
21:24 Obviously, you guys faced the sports team, and after that being left out,
21:29 do you feel like you guys kinda took a jab in the conference as a whole,
21:33 took a jab with what people are classifying as SEC bias and
21:37 ultimately having Bama jump in again?
21:40 >> Well, I think the ACC is a great football conference, and
21:43 they're really good football teams, good parity.
21:46 I think Florida State earned the right to advance based on their play in
21:52 their undefeated season and the teams that they beat.
21:55 So that's my opinion.
21:58 I don't make the decisions.
22:00 I think there's good football teams at the top of this conference, and
22:04 I think there's good parity throughout.
22:05 And without question, you can look at records of conferences versus conferences,
22:13 and I know what I read, what I saw.
22:15 So in my opinion, yeah, an undefeated team that's 13-0,
22:21 won the ACC, should be able to advance and play.
22:23 And I definitely feel for
22:30 the anger that they have about the decision that was made.
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