Quoted: Preseason Camp – Oct. 14
10/14/2020 12:20:00 PM | Football
Below are partial transcriptions of Zoom press conferences with Indiana offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Kane Wommack on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Offensive Coordinator/QB Nick Sheridan
Q. On installation vs. game-planning…
SHERIDAN: We definitely have cut back on the installation. We feel comfortable from a scheme standpoint on what has been introduced to the players. As you go through a year, there are certain things that might get tweaked or added slightly week-to-week based on the opponent that you are playing. You are certainly not trying to wholesale change each week, so the installation has slowed down. There are a few situational things, a few scenarios that you have to cover with the players as you get closer to kickoff, but for the most part, our installation is pretty much wrapped up. There are a few things, obviously as a staff we discussed, if there is a certain defense that you are seeing from an opponent standpoint, but for the most part, we are done. Brief introduction to our first opponent, which is exciting. It has been good and we are moving right along.
Q. On Miles Marshall and Ty Fryfogle…
SHERIDAN: I think each player is different, for sure. I think they bring a level of consistency and a level of dependability. They both have been out there in big moments and performed. They both have been very solid and productive and we are looking forward to them having a big year for us. Both of them have been great.
Q. On offensive chemistry…
SHERIDAN: I think as a coach, we are never going to say that we have got it all figured out. There are always things to improve on. My hope is that our last snap this season is our best snap. Our focus really is on constantly improving and there definitely has been moments where I feel that we are on it, and then there has been moments where I feel like we need to continue to work. I think that is just coaching. That is going to be the whole season. I like the work ethic, I like the attitude, I like the ability of the players. Obviously, I think there is skill there to be able to pass the football. I mentioned this before, it is hard to compare it to other years. It is unlike any other progression from a developmental standpoint, so we are really just taking it one day at a time. The guys are working hard. There are definitely glimpses of us being able to execute at a high level and there are also things that we need to work on and continue to work on as we get to the season. That process is never ending. We are looking to improve each and every day throughout the whole year.
Defensive Coordinator/LB Kane Wommack
Q. On the Husky position…
WOMMACK: I think we will try to get the right people on the field, versus the right personnel groupings. We want to make sure that we maximize our roster, our personnel and what we are asking guys to do. I have been really pleased with Bryant Fitzgerald the last two weeks. Early on in fall camp and in the summer, there were some times where he did not get out. He was out for one reason or another, so he is really just hitting his groove these last two weeks. I have been pleased with him. I think it is my job to make sure we maximize our personnel and get the right people on the field for the right situations. We are certainly going to do that.
Q. On the state of defenses in college football…
WOMMACK: I think that we do have the fortune to be able to learn from other people's demise. We get film on every team in the country, so I pull up games that I saw on TV and I pull them up a little bit more detail during the week. I think that tempo is a factor, I think, not being able to tackle as much live [is a factor]. We are getting similar practices but we are not getting as many with pads. Those things are a factor and I think offenses are really good. They attack the field in a lot of different directions. We have had some of the best minds in the country, in the game of football, that have had a lot of time on their hands over the last eight months. You are seeing some creative things that people are doing to maximize space and players ability. All that to be said, you referenced Georgia and that is a good one. Some good buddies of mine are on that staff in Dan Lanning, plus Tray Scott and I GA'ed together. I spent a good bit of time with them in the offseason and we talked through a lot of things. We have very similar philosophies in terms of how we attack things. I would love to have a couple of their personnel; I mean they have got some big monsters there. I think being aware of what teams are trying to do, the tempo in which they use to do it, and, I think now, you have to be focused on limiting the opponent's big plays, none for touchdowns and, at the same time, you have got to create negatives. You cannot let teams go second and 5, second and 4 all the way down the field. At the same time, you cannot give up 60-yard bombs, which we have seen plenty of those over the last couple of weeks.
Q. On depth of the defensive line…
WOMMACK: I think you have got to be aware of what a player's skillset is along the defensive line, especially when it comes to run and pass responsibilities. Obviously, there are certain guys that we would like in there defending the run versus we have personnel where there are some guys that are pretty gifted in some of their pass-rush ability. It is our job to make sure we get the right groupings on the field in those situations. Honestly, I think from a rep base standpoint, it is hard to get more than five [guys] ready for two positions. If you think about interior tackle, you cannot be three-deep across the board. You have got to find a way to get two and a half deep. That way you can disseminate those reps for that fifth guy, whoever that, is in terms of week-to-week to get what you need installed.
Offensive Coordinator/QB Nick Sheridan
Q. On installation vs. game-planning…
SHERIDAN: We definitely have cut back on the installation. We feel comfortable from a scheme standpoint on what has been introduced to the players. As you go through a year, there are certain things that might get tweaked or added slightly week-to-week based on the opponent that you are playing. You are certainly not trying to wholesale change each week, so the installation has slowed down. There are a few situational things, a few scenarios that you have to cover with the players as you get closer to kickoff, but for the most part, our installation is pretty much wrapped up. There are a few things, obviously as a staff we discussed, if there is a certain defense that you are seeing from an opponent standpoint, but for the most part, we are done. Brief introduction to our first opponent, which is exciting. It has been good and we are moving right along.
Q. On Miles Marshall and Ty Fryfogle…
SHERIDAN: I think each player is different, for sure. I think they bring a level of consistency and a level of dependability. They both have been out there in big moments and performed. They both have been very solid and productive and we are looking forward to them having a big year for us. Both of them have been great.
Q. On offensive chemistry…
SHERIDAN: I think as a coach, we are never going to say that we have got it all figured out. There are always things to improve on. My hope is that our last snap this season is our best snap. Our focus really is on constantly improving and there definitely has been moments where I feel that we are on it, and then there has been moments where I feel like we need to continue to work. I think that is just coaching. That is going to be the whole season. I like the work ethic, I like the attitude, I like the ability of the players. Obviously, I think there is skill there to be able to pass the football. I mentioned this before, it is hard to compare it to other years. It is unlike any other progression from a developmental standpoint, so we are really just taking it one day at a time. The guys are working hard. There are definitely glimpses of us being able to execute at a high level and there are also things that we need to work on and continue to work on as we get to the season. That process is never ending. We are looking to improve each and every day throughout the whole year.
Defensive Coordinator/LB Kane Wommack
Q. On the Husky position…
WOMMACK: I think we will try to get the right people on the field, versus the right personnel groupings. We want to make sure that we maximize our roster, our personnel and what we are asking guys to do. I have been really pleased with Bryant Fitzgerald the last two weeks. Early on in fall camp and in the summer, there were some times where he did not get out. He was out for one reason or another, so he is really just hitting his groove these last two weeks. I have been pleased with him. I think it is my job to make sure we maximize our personnel and get the right people on the field for the right situations. We are certainly going to do that.
Q. On the state of defenses in college football…
WOMMACK: I think that we do have the fortune to be able to learn from other people's demise. We get film on every team in the country, so I pull up games that I saw on TV and I pull them up a little bit more detail during the week. I think that tempo is a factor, I think, not being able to tackle as much live [is a factor]. We are getting similar practices but we are not getting as many with pads. Those things are a factor and I think offenses are really good. They attack the field in a lot of different directions. We have had some of the best minds in the country, in the game of football, that have had a lot of time on their hands over the last eight months. You are seeing some creative things that people are doing to maximize space and players ability. All that to be said, you referenced Georgia and that is a good one. Some good buddies of mine are on that staff in Dan Lanning, plus Tray Scott and I GA'ed together. I spent a good bit of time with them in the offseason and we talked through a lot of things. We have very similar philosophies in terms of how we attack things. I would love to have a couple of their personnel; I mean they have got some big monsters there. I think being aware of what teams are trying to do, the tempo in which they use to do it, and, I think now, you have to be focused on limiting the opponent's big plays, none for touchdowns and, at the same time, you have got to create negatives. You cannot let teams go second and 5, second and 4 all the way down the field. At the same time, you cannot give up 60-yard bombs, which we have seen plenty of those over the last couple of weeks.
Q. On depth of the defensive line…
WOMMACK: I think you have got to be aware of what a player's skillset is along the defensive line, especially when it comes to run and pass responsibilities. Obviously, there are certain guys that we would like in there defending the run versus we have personnel where there are some guys that are pretty gifted in some of their pass-rush ability. It is our job to make sure we get the right groupings on the field in those situations. Honestly, I think from a rep base standpoint, it is hard to get more than five [guys] ready for two positions. If you think about interior tackle, you cannot be three-deep across the board. You have got to find a way to get two and a half deep. That way you can disseminate those reps for that fifth guy, whoever that, is in terms of week-to-week to get what you need installed.
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, September 17
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Curt Cignetti Media Availability (9/15/25)
Monday, September 15