On how he expects the running back rotation to be after Zamir White’s return…
“We don’t necessarily play seniority with any of our players, that’s why we have offseason work outs, spring ball. A lot of our evaluation and setting of the depth chart will come from how they perform day in and day out leading up to the spring game. It’s a constant battle with our guys at the running back position. We are very fortunate to have six guys that can actually help produce and play winning football for us. I love this time of year. Last year, if you look a back a year past, we didn’t have a spring football season and I think it’s close to being normal. We still do have COVID-19 issues but just being out there this morning and watching them run around and condition and push themselves is definitely a change from last year and we welcome that.”
On his reaction to hearing James Cook and Zamir White are coming back…
“It’s very similar to the situation when Sony Michel and Nick Chubb came back. From a team standpoint, they want to do more and they feel like they are a part of that and part of the success that we can have. I think it’s a good situation for our younger running backs and our younger players because they offer a lot of leadership mentally and physically on how to perform, how to practice and how to take care of their bodies. So it’s very comforting to have those guys back. The biggest thing for me as a coach and for those guys being older players is they can’t get complacent. The play book is in, we’ll have some changes here and there but they just have to make sure that are pushing forward. They have to treat this offseason and spring practice like it’s a brand new season. They have to be eager to learn, eager to get better, eager to improve their skills because all of our players have weaknesses that they need to work on and that needs to be a point of emphasis and that starts with me making sure they’re detailed in what they need to improve on.”
On what about Georgia has kept him here so long…
“First of all, my family loves it here. It’s a great place to raise my child. The boosters, alumni, the way our administration treats their coaches and then on top of that, just having a great recruiting base of a five-mile radius. We should be able to recruit the top players in the country that are outside that radius as well. It’s just a great, great university. We have great academic, offer a lot of different majors. The Georgia Way program, Life After Football is an outstanding program. The brand, the ‘G’ is recognizable nationwide and I really enjoy working for Coach [Kirby] Smart, we have a great relationship and I think that adds on to this being the best job in the country to coach running backs.”
On the comradery that goes on within the running back’s room…
“We preach that from day one because we want our players to embrace the grind but also love one another, whether you’re the star on Saturday or the walk-on that has to give the look to the defense. That is something that has always been a part of my philosophy dealing with players is that we’re all in this together and it takes a commitment from the entire room to not be jealous, to look outside of yourself, to learn and promote one another. Be happy for your teammates when they do have success but also understand that success is not long term and you will have your adversity and short comings. When that happens, the next man has to step up. When injuries arise or we have certain players that can do certain things a little bit better than another player, than those players have to relish that role. The player that is being taken out of that role has to understand that this guy is a little bit better at doing this than I can.”
On whether being a head coach is something that he wants to do at some point…
“I definitely believe it has to do with timing. I do want to be a head coach and I don’t control that narrative. As you all notice, it’s a tough deal for minority coaches to get that opportunity and I do feel like when that opportunity does present itself, for me, or even if it doesn’t, I want to be a great ambassador for the next man that is following me. In particular, a man of color just because those opportunities don’t present themselves as much.”
On whether he is disappointed at the lack of head coaching positions at the collegiate or professional level…
“As a whole, I think we’re all disappointed. We understand it doesn’t happen, the opportunities haven’t happened as readily, but we don’t control that narrative. So, until things change from an athletic director standpoint or an ownership standpoint, that trend will continue. It’s my job as a position coach, assistant coach, to do the best job I can but at the same time, I’m comfortable with where I am and I understand I don’t have control of who wants to hire a minority coach. That is strictly up to that university or that NFL organization and they have to feel comfortable with that.”