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Here are five questions Bulldawg Illustrated put to head coach Mark Richt during this year’s spring practice:

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1. Some have noticed, you seem at ease this spring (your 15th). What would you attribute that to and how would you assess how the players and coaches (many whom are new) are gelling with each other?

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“I wouldn’t say I’m at ease, at all. I think we have excellent coaches and I think our players are trying very hard to take the coaching. I’m pretty pleased with everybody’s effort; there’s a lot to learn and you know when you try to get three units working it’s a lot of guys getting reps. So it’s not always going to be perfect.”

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2. As we all know, close football games come down to a few critical plays, calls and decisions usually at the end of each half … is there anything you and your staff are working on or implementing to excel in those moments in 2015?

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“There’s always calls that need to be made throughout the game. They just seem more critical when it is at the end of a ballgame. We’re always looking at those situations and having answers to those situations.”

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3. What’s most important to you and Coach Schottenheimer in determining the starting quarterback for the 2015 season? And can y’all envision a situation where multiple QBs will play this season?

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“It’s hard to say if we’ll play multiple QB’s or not but right now everybody is getting a feel for Coach Schottenheimer and him for them. And we’re just looking for guys that make good decisions and accurate throws and to be able to handle the pressure of that job. So we’re putting them under as many situations as possible to help find out what exactly everybody can do. Will it be settled by the end of the spring? I’d say very doubtful.” (Of course, doubtful was the key word as Richt says entering the summer workouts and fall camp, the starting QB spot is still up for grabs between Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and Jacob Park)

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4. The UGA administration backed the football program in a big way in the last six months (salary increase, additional positions, indoor facility). What did that mean to you personally and the program as a whole? And does that backing add any pressure?

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“Well, we feel like everything’s moving in a real positive direction and we’re always having expectations of playing winning football. So that’s going to be our goal.”

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5. You and Coach Pruitt are now going into your second year with each other. What would you say is his most important contribution to the staff and team? And what are you expecting the most out of your defense in the upcoming season?

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“I’d just say our defense is more familiar obviously this year than it was a year ago. We did lose some really good players. I would imagine there will be a lot of young players in our two deep but the goal is going to be to continue to play hard and create turnovers and give opportunities for the offense. Coach Pruitt has done a very good job, no doubt.”

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Bonus question: How would you describe Nick Chubb as a football player, but more importantly a man?

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“Well, he’s fun to watch, I can tell you that. He’s just got a tremendous work ethic and he’s a very unselfish guy. He cares about his team and his teammates. He just works and his actions speak more than his words. He’s a man of very few words.”