Instant Interview Replay: Coach John Thompson (Sept. 23)
September 23, 2003 | Football
Instant Interview Replay: Coach John Thompson (Sept. 23)
09/23/2003
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- ECU head football Coach John Thompson took part in a live question-and-answer forum on Tuesday during ECUpirates.com's exclusive Instant Interview. Following is the complete transcript of his comments.
| ECUpirates.com : Now joining us live is Coach John Thompson. Coach, welcome and thanks for being our guest this morning! John Thompson : Sorry I'm running late ... was in a kicking game meeting. We've got a lot to work on this week and I'm grateful for the extra days and the extra work that we can get in. |
| PirateFan04 : Hey Coach, Where did this JV team come from? Would you also call this our scout team? And how are they going to fair aganist Fork Union? John Thompson : Fork Union is 2-0. They've won by lopsided scores. This just gives us an opportunity to play a lot of guys that aren't getting to play very much. We will not play redshirts per NCAA rules. It gives us another opportunity to get guys in a real live situation and work at getting better. |
| Z-Town Pirate : We saw a much better defensive effort on Saturday, Coach. However, Desmond continues to struggle with turnovers, especially holding onto the ball. What are the coaching staff and Desmond doing to address the problem? John Thompson : Of Desmond's three interceptions (at Wake), we've got to make better decisions, first of all. One was a tipped ball. We have to keep emphasizing every little detail. |
| brbmba : What is the status of Eric Johnson and Derrick Helms? Will we see them in action again this year? John Thompson : We expect Eric Johnson back within the next couple of weeks. It's not looking promising for Derek Helms. |
| David : Coach, I will admit that our team has vastly improved over the last 2 games. However, we're 116th in the nation in turnovers. Why not make a change at QB? (Pickney or Troth) John Thompson : We feel like Desmond is our QB now. It's not just the quarterback that is responsible for turnovers. |
| Chris : Coach, I have attended every game this year and will continue to support the Pirates. However, can you tell me why you continue to support a QB who has accounted for 10 turnovers this year and 4 last week? Not to mention 0 TD's. John Thompson : Again, we just feel like this is the thing to do at this point. We have got to eliminate these turnovers. We feel this still gives us our best opportunity. Everybody else is still working and, based on practice and the games, this is the right thing to do. |
| Clive : Coach, where were the purple pants Saturday? John Thompson : We felt like changing it up a little bit. The purple pants will be back. We thought a different look was in order. |
| brbmba : Why are we not giving Vonta more opportunities to carry the ball or at least catch some screen passes? John Thompson : Vonta needs to get more touches. He can help us. We checked out of a couple the other day. I agree with you. We need to get him a little more involved. |
| dhewitt222 : A lot of people think we should changes QB's, my question is how can Troth be ready to be the signal caller when he is not standing on the sidelines with the offensive coodinator or the coaching staff? Most Div 1 QB's are on the sideline helping call in plays or at least watching each series and the formations that the defense is running. He could learn by watching on the sideline with the coaching staff, instead the entire Miami and Wake game he sat on the bench and wasn't ready for action even if he needed to be. I am disappointed in the coaching staff that they allow this to happen. There seems to be no interest in the game for those players not actually participating. QB Robinson needs to be coming to the sideline, being vocal with his teammates, being the leader and or cheerleader. Instead he is standing off by himself, with his head down. FB Leach is trying to encourage Robinson. Some one needs to take control and become a leader, and I think that stems from the coaching staff. John Thompson : Our players do need to be totally involved in the action on the field. All players, all coaches need to be totally entrenched in every aspect of the game. This is an area that has been addressed and will improve. |
| bruce : We have had a rough start to the season, can you tell us what your goals are for this team for the remainder of the season John Thompson : Now we're really focused on our conference schedule. We will continue to work on every little thing to get this team better and better. There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to get through this. Our whole focus is on getting it done and working at that every minute. |
| Z-Town Pirate : Coach, can you discuss Jim Grobe's comments to our team? In your years of coaching, have you ever had the opposing head coach speak directly to your team after a game? John Thompson : Jim Grobe is a class individual. I had respect for him prior to our game and even more so now. What he did, coming into our dressing room, was encourage our players. He complimented our players on their effort and encouraged them to continue. It was a selfless act that was extremely appreciated and helpful. I know that it made an impact on our players. I don't recall ever having that happen before. Opposing coaches have come into a dressing room for individuals or coaches, but not to an entire team. Coach Grobe asked me if he could do that. I have never heard of an opposing coach addressing an entire team. |
| bulldog701 : Coach I have really been impressed with the progress of the defense. The lack of offense puts a damper on a defensive squad, but it will come around. I have also been impressed with the play of Kent Nealy. He has seemed to have stepped up as the heart of our defense. What do you think? John Thompson : Kent Nealy has really played better. Kent and Antonie went through a hardship last week with their grandmother passing away. That put an even greater burden on those two young men. We need Kent's leadership and his playmaking. |
| brbmba : What's the scoop with Pickett? Why is he not playing? John Thompson : He's just now getting totally healthy. He will play in today's game (JV game) and we think he'll be a factor down the road for us ... hopefully against Houston. |
| wilmington pirate : what is the turnover ratio compared to the pirates opponents and what can be done to stop the madness. John Thompson : We have to focus on every little detail to stop this from happening. There's a lot of factors that go into it. We have got to find a way to protect the ball. Whatever adjustments, changes work that has to be done, that's what we're going to do. |
| Mark H : 3 TD's in 4 games (1 against 3rd team defense, 1 on a trick play) has to concern you. (it does me!). Please tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! John Thompson : There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We will continue to get better. You look at the numbers from the last game, they're positive. In terms of total yards, running, passing. But getting better is not enough. Winning is. |
| New Bern Dad : Coach, will the JV game be in lieu of practice today? and is the JV game open to the public? John Thompson : We will practice AND have a JV game. We certainly encourage everybody to come out for the game. |
| chemstock : Coach Thompson, we must develope a better passing attach to keep the defense honest. They know Dez is limited on his passing skills and has a way of looking only for Copper. Have you thought about using the taller WR's like Harris, Roach, and Coffman more?
John Thompson : We definitely have to get better at our passing game. We've got to run better routes. We've got to protect better. We've got to throw better. All of those are factors in our lack of production and turnovers. |
| Frank The Tank : We would like to see some less "diplomatic" answers out of you, and really answer the questions like you would in the coaches meetings. What are the chances of this happening? John Thompson : I'm honest with you, but there are some things that are said just with the coaches and players that need to stay that way. Whether I'm diplomatic or not, I'll tell you the truth. But sometimes, there's more to it than just words. |
| football fan : what do you see as weakness in the new and improved houston cougars, they are doing pretty good this year aren't they John Thompson : I'm impressed with Houston and especially last week with their win over Mississippi State. Art Briles obviously is doing a great job and has them excited and winning. As we speak, we are looking for weaknesses! |
| ECUpirates.com : Thanks, Coach, for joining us this morning. We know you've got a busy day in front of you. Any closing comments? John Thompson : We are all frustrated, but we are not giving in. We have determination and we will get through this. The only way to do it is to focus on getting it done and working. We need you to stick by our players, keep believing in them, and it'll be a great feeling when we get through it. |
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