Indiana University Athletics
Lynch at Big Ten Football Media Day
7/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 31, 2007
CHICAGO - Indiana head football coach Bill Lynch addressed the media Tuesday afternoon at Big Ten Football Media Day. Lynch, senior cornerback Tracy Porter, junior wide receiver James Hardy and junior running back Marcus Thigpen wrap up their stay in Chicago with the Kickoff Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. CDT tomorrow. Below is a transcript highlighting some of Lynch's comments on dais this afternoon.
Opening Statement:
"As a football team, they have been through a lot of adversity and I know this summer has been tough on them. We're all looking forward to getting together this weekend and I think it's time we get this group back together. They have really grown through this process."
On the team's mental preparedness following Terry Hoeppner's death:
"As a staff, we've had great continuity. There is not one single thing that you can do. I think in this profession, a lot of it is building that trust between player and coach and over the last few years, we think we've been able to do that."
On Terry (Hoeppner's) influences:
"Terry and I go back 30 years. He was a great person and a great football coach. I always felt he did things the right way. The experience for me wasn't just the last two years, but rather the last 25 to 30 years."
On offense coaching style:
"This past spring, we had a real emphasis on the running game. We felt we needed to get the running game going the same way we do with our passing. We will utilize all of them and now we feel we are in a position where we can be pretty balanced."
On recruiting efforts:
"It was a tough angle with coach Hoeppner. We felt the class we signed in February was pretty good, but from the time Hep wasn't with us, there was some uncertainty among recruits. We have a great university to sell and we're making renovations into the north end zone. There are some real positive things that are going on right now with our football program and our campus as we go out and try to sell ourselves this fall."
