McNeill Conducts First Press Conference
January 22, 2010 | Football
Jan. 22, 2010
Listen to Coach McNeill's press conference
Pirate Nation Welcomes Home Coach McNeill
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - After being named the head football coach at East Carolina University Thursday afternoon, Ruffin McNeill held his first press conference to address the members of the media Friday morning.
Opening Statement
"Thank you. Thank you very much. We haven't gotten much sleep the past two nights as you can imagine.
"Let's go back to the plane trip when we first landed in Raleigh/Durham. The moment the wheels hit the tarmac, both of our hearts just said, `We're home.' That was really cool.
"Next was coming in with J.J. McLamb and driving down the freeway. We had to miss Wilson this time, which is new for us. We then got here and had a chance to meet with the committee yesterday.
"I now have to give thanks to that group which included Chancellor Ballard, Coach Holland, Nick Floyd, Jimmy Bass, Lee Workman, Mr. Lucas, our trustee, Rosie Thompson-Smaw and Carlester Crumpler Sr. For that group doing its due diligence, I thank you. They worked hard during the whole process for the Pirate Nation. Their due diligence I know was appreciated. I'm glad they picked me. Thank you.
"I'm honored, humbled and excited to become your next head football coach. This is a dream come true for an East Carolina boy. This is my alma mater; it's an easy sell. I don't have to go to the academic office, which I will use very much and will get very tight with, and have someone tell me about the academic excellence here at East Carolina. I'm a witness. My wife is a witness as she got her master's degree here. My brother, sister-in-law and brother-in-law all graduated from here. We have a lot of ties to Greenville, eastern North Carolina and this university."
On Being Named The Head Coach
"I cannot begin to repeat how honored I am to be your next coach. This is my destination job. Let's get that out front right now and make sure that's very clear. This is not a stepping-stone hop for Ruff. This is where I want to be until you all take me away from here. You'll have to drag me away.
"I plan on being here a long time. We plan on being here a long time. I plan on being around you for a long time. I am so happy to be back into Pirate Nation and to be a part of the family.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I was asked about the challenge and it is fun. There is nothing intimidating or hard about this at all."
On The Past Month
"This last month for me, and my wife, has been pretty trying, probably much like the whirlwind Pirate Nation has gone through. This month for Erlene and I has probably been the most challenging of my life. I know it has been the most challenging of my coaching life.
"The night we won the Alamo Bowl was one of the most rewarding nights of my coaching life. Yesterday, given the honor and privilege to have the chance and opportunity to be a part of this great university, which all of us here today are a part of, was the most rewarding of my coaching life. When I finally got the news yesterday saying I was it, I locked myself down in chains and said, `I'm not going anywhere.'"
On What His Top Priorities At East Carolina Are
"My next job in my permanent job will consistent of two things. The first is going to be service. I want that to be really understood by everybody. Service means first to our university in whatever means it needs me. It needs us.
"It's also about service to the community, the city of Greenville, the alums and to the Pirate nation. My first job is to be of service to you.
"The next service will be to our football program and to those kids who we met last night. I had the chance to love them up and hug them up. You can probably tell that I'm going to do that a lot. We also set some standards and expectations among ourselves.
"The number two job I have, which I am going to ask your team and coaches to take part in, is always asking, `What can I do today to make sure I better East Carolina University?' What are we doing today to better East Carolina University? That's my second job. First is service and second is asking every day, `What can I do to better East Carolina University?' Those are my first two primary jobs."
On His Goals For East Carolina Football
"There are some goals and some things we'll talk about. The first goal is to maintain, create and keep academic excellence. Again, I'm a witness to it as I graduated from here while playing football. It can be done and will be done. It will be expected here. If I can do it, I know everyone can do it.
"We have a great academic structure in place for us to achieve academically. I just left a place that, when we first got there was one of the worst in the country. By the time we left, we had one of the top graduation rates in the nation. Academics are a major part.
"The next one is to win championships. That's what you get in it for. That's why I'm here. I'm not coming to a place that has not won championships. Don't misunderstand that.
"When I talked to the team last night, we said that's a major goal - to win championships. Let's continue to compete and go to another level. Let's keep reaching for that. It'll come with your help."
On The Recruiting Process
"I'm going to get on the recruiting trail, which I'm going to take off on pretty soon. In doing that, I'm going to assure the Pirate Nation that we're going to look for the right player to get on our bus here at East Carolina. He's going to have to have the right `it.' We're looking for talented kids, don't get me wrong, but there are some other intangible things that will also be included in that. On our recruiting trail, we want the right people on our bus to achieve those things we want to academically and championship-wise.
"Some of the things that were brought up last night were trust, commitment and caring. Those things will be our base pillars and foundation. I believe our foundation is already built on rock. It is not been built on sand here. That's why it is able to withstand any kind of storm that's brought before it. I really believe that. Trust, commitment and caring are the three things I will base our players on and who can get on that bus.
"We're in the process of assembling a great staff to get the right people on the bus and lead those guys."
On Requirements Set During Last Night's Team Meeting
"Last night, we asked the kids a couple of things. This is what I want done. I want everything to be done as a professional. Everything I ask of them can be used both on and off the field. Let's conduct ourselves as professionals. But I really didn't ask them. It was more of a demand, in a nice way.
"The second thing I demanded was to make sure we're an adult and to be an adult at all times. The third thing I asked them was two-fold. I asked that they conduct themselves in a classy and championship-style manner.
"We stated our initial conversations last night. I looked in those guys' eyes and got goose bumps. We hugged. I tried to chest bump them, but my vertical isn't real good right now. We had some hugs and squeezes.
"I'm looking forward to finishing up this great recruiting class, getting back in the office, going into the offseason, hugging these kids and getting to work. I'm looking forward to that."
On What Had To Be Done Yesterday After He Was Hired
"This is a challenge. I know that, but I'm looking forward to it. I promised them that I'm going to work them hard. I promised the recruits that I'm going to work them hard. Our current players make up our family right now. The most important thing I had to do when named yesterday was to talk with our current players.
"Talking with our current recruits who have committed was the second thing we had to do. I had to get to know those guys. I spoke to every one of them last night. The ones who are already here I spoke with during the meeting. I promised them I would work them hard. That's one thing about here; our kids at East Carolina have always worked hard. That is not new to them. I also promised that I would love them hard, too."
On How Important His Players Are To Him
"I promise that I'm going to write to all the parents of our current players and speak with the parents of recruits who come this year, as well as those in the future, about something that's very important to me. I also make this promise to Pirate Nation. I take this part very seriously. When I say I love the kids, I love the kids. I know this because I have two beautiful girls, Olivia, at Appalachian State who is ecstatic, and my oldest daughter Renata, who is in Greensboro and is even more ecstatic.
"I promise the parents of our current players, current recruits and future recruits that I will take care of their most prized possession. I know how special that possession is to them. I take a lot of pride and will put forth a lot of effort in taking care of that prized possession, who I will love from head-to-toe and toe-to-head every day. That doesn't mean I won't push them. That doesn't mean every conversation will be nice and friendly. But it will be with love, expectations and demands from me to them.
"Again, this has been the most rewarding day for my wife and myself. Erlene, she's my better three-fourths. I really out-punted my coverage with her. She is my rib.
"Again to Chancellor Ballard, Coach Holland, Nick, Jimmy, Lee, Mr. Lucas, Rosie and Crump, I thank you for choosing me. I'm glad to be here. Thank you."
On Assembling A Coaching Staff
"Right now, it's a work in progress. Lincoln Riley, who worked with me for seven years at Texas Tech, called the game during the Alamo Bowl. He knows the Texas Tech offense that I know, feel comfortable with and have been a part of trying to defend for the past 10 years. I know what it can do and what it will take us to. Riley will be the offensive coordinator here and will run the offense we ran at Texas Tech. He's on his way in and will be joining the staff pretty quickly.
"The rest of the staff I'm in the middle of forming. I promise you, it'll be a staff that you'll be a proud of. I'm in the process of contacting many individuals. My whole purpose is to make sure that we have the right people on the bus and driving it. We won't move quite so quickly because I want to make sure we have it right. I have some names in place, though. I have guys I know who have been here, too. Those guys have been talked to as well."
On The Process Of Hearing About The Job To Getting The Job
"There was nothing really behind the scenes. Coach Holland and I had great conversations. He understood what Erlene and I had been through with Alamo Bowl week, the interview process at Texas Tech and everything there.
"Coach Holland and I had a really open dialogue. Erlene and I had some things going on with a group of job choices available before this at East Carolina occurred. God has a plan, a plan for a man. I believe that. Coach called and invited Erlene and me up, so we got on the plane. We landed and went through the interview process. Coach Holland and I then shared some thoughts, philosophies and beliefs.
"When he called and offered me the job, I didn't cry, but my eyeballs sweat quite a bit."
On What The Most Important Thing He Told The Committee Was
"It was sort of like when, 30 minutes before the first team meeting at the Alamo Bowl, I was told, `There's an ox in the ditch and you've got to pull it out.' I had 30 minutes to figure out how to tell the coaches and rest of the team I was leading it during bowl week.
"The first thing I told myself about the interview was that the one thing I know I do well is me. I had to be myself. I may have notes or bullet points, but I'm not good at following a script. I was just myself and my beliefs. I had prepared for it for 29 years of coaching.
"It was not a hard sell for me to come back to a place that is really the reason Erlene and I are together. Everything was from the heart. I think that's how we connected."
On What He Has To Do During The Next Week
"The first thing was something we accomplished last night. My first objective was to meet with the current players. I've been a part of some transitional staffs when coaches have left for one reason or another. I put myself in the players' places. I knew there was probably some nervousness by the kids.
"Another group I was worried about was our players' parents. You can't forget about them. Players are important and parents of those players are important.
"I wanted to make sure I addressed the players first. I needed to let them know that we're OK and I have the keys to the ship. It's a fancy ship and not a toy one. Meeting the players was priority number one.
"The second thing I felt was very important was recruiting. I take recruiting very seriously. I think it's the lifeline of the program. I needed to get on the phone with the guys who are committed here, which I did.
"Next week, my job will be seeing how many planes I can catch, how many hotels I can stay in and how many times I have to sprint from one gate to another to make the next flight. That'll be the plan through National Signing Day (Feb. 3)."
On What Geographic Area His Recruiting Will Focus On
"My home and room at my parents' house is in North Carolina. I'm from North Carolina. This will always be our primary recruiting area. That's an exciting part for me. I know how to get around this area in a car, unlike Texas where I needed a plane to hop back and forth.
"Our primary area will be the same ones we've hit for years around here. North Carolina will be the most central and we'll head up north to the Virginia and Washington D.C. areas. We'll also spread south to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
"I know from my relationships I've built with guys in Texas that there will be some calls. I think our relationships are great. They'll call and there may be a kid over there who wants to come play for the Pirate Nation. We'll look at him, especially if he's a big and fast one. Our primary area will be North Carolina, as always."
On Changes To East Carolina University Since He Played Here
"I'm showing my age. I started going into Scales Field House to get into the locker room yesterday. I knew then that I was old.
"It's amazing, but it's not surprising of what can be accomplished here at East Carolina. This is a special place. It is a destination job for me. I see the building and construction going on.
"I also know what kind of fans we have. I've had a chance to make a few plays in front of these fans. I've also gotten the chance, from afar, to watch our fans here on TV. I understand the loyalty and enthusiasm we have here with the Pirate Nation. That is no secret to anyone.
"When opponents come to play at that stadium, it's going to be an enter-at-your-own-risk type of deal. We can't guarantee how opponents will leave after a game. I'm not bragging about what we'll do, I just know how our fans will be.
"I'm anxious to get around and get back to that noise I've heard and watched on television. I'm anxious to lead the team out and be a part of it. It's going to be a `we' deal, not an `I' deal. From our administration, to our coaching staff, to our support staff, to our team and to Pirate Nation, it's us running out on that field. I want everybody to know that."
On His Playing At East Carolina
"First, I found out what size Coach Dye's shoes were. I'm positive he wore size 12s. When Coach came into our house for recruiting, my mom was cooking collard greens. He came in the house and asked if it was collards he smelled. She said yes so he said he wanted some. I knew right then that Coach Dye had my mom sold.
"My dad and I also liked Coach Dye. I came here on a visit and committed on then. Once I committed here, I started getting hit up by other schools.
"I told my dad that I was going to take a visit to SMU because it was sending a private plane to come pick me up. I'm a country boy having a private plane sent to get me. I told my dad I had to get on that plane. My dad said I was not taking a step because I had committed to Coach Dye and a man doesn't have much besides his word and what he's known for. I went to East Carolina. It was the best decision I ever made in my life.
"There are two things I want to make sure I continue to do here, graduate-and-win and win-and-graduate. I had a chance to do that when I was here. That was the most rewarding part, the relationships we had with the former teammates. I know those guys will be back in the fold. I'm looking forward to that experience. It was a great time and experience here for me."
On If He Had Coaching Aspirations While At East Carolina
"Once I was in my last year here, my dad said if I was a coach that he would hang me. He said, `God takes care of coaches, fools and babies and you're two of the three.' I thanked him for the encouragement. He didn't really want me to go into coaching.
"When I finished, I went immediately into high school coaching. I have been blessed at every stop. I've been around a bunch of great coaches. I've just tried to make sure that I've done my best. You learn from each experience. I don't regret any experience, I appreciate all. Coaching is what I do.
"When I say coach, I mean teach. My role will be to teach and demand. Our players' roles will be to prepare and perform. That was defined last night during our team meeting. I'm looking forward to teaching, demanding and being a part of continued success and the next level of success here."
On The Business Of The Past Few Days
"Most of the time when somebody asks how I'm doing, I use the Spanish phrase, mucho espacio. That means very slow motion. That's how I like to move along. It has been very rapid through the past few days, though. It has been a fun speed and mix.
"We talked yesterday about preparation for this time. When I was an assistant, I had a chance to prepare to be a coordinator. When I became a coordinator, I tried to gain experience to prepare to be a head coach.
"I'm used to spur-of-the-moment things, like when I had 30 minutes to prepare at the Alamo Bowl, and making them work. The excitement, quick run-around and meeting everybody yesterday was the most pleasurable experience of my life. The committee was very gracious. At the same time, they asked some very tough questions. We had some tight items we had to address. I think I did pretty well with them, though."
On Leaving Texas Tech
"It was tough. I got attached to them. Everybody said that playing tough competition like Texas and Oklahoma was the hard part. That's not hard, that's fun. Taking over the team 30 minutes before the meeting and acting as the interim head coach was not intimidating.
"The toughest part of coaching is leaving the kids. I get attached to the players. I love them. We feed those players as much as we legally can. Erlene can sure cook. We've had about 75 kids over to the house eating five turkeys, four hams and 16 pies and cakes.
"There were some really tight bonds with those kids. I had been there for 10 years. I've received a few texts from the kids. I know that it was tough, but I know they had to move on with their lives. I tried to make sure I stayed out of the coaching change. I care too much about them to interfere with the new coach at Texas Tech. I wished him well. I don't want to be in the middle of coach and player. I made sure I stayed out of their way. I love them too much to interfere. I wish them very well."
