Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Report #2 - Nick Sheridan & Kane Wommack
3/8/2020 5:50:00 PM | Football
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Nick Sheridan
On transition to offensive coordinator …
"We are asking our guys to do a lot. We got another install in and we are a work in progress, like a lot of the other teams starting spring practice. There is a lot to work on. The kids have a good attitude, they are trying hard. We are working on the fundamentals and trying to improve every day. The kids have had a great attitude, so we are pleased with that."
On the quarterbacks …
"We are healthier, for sure. Michael Penix Jr. has come back, rehabbed well and has been able to fully participate. Jack Tuttle is that much older. With Dexter Williams II just getting here, he is figuring it out one period at a time. Same with all of the positions, really. We are just focused on getting better. We have a lot of work to do, but those guys have had a good attitude."
On differences with the new role …
"Just the organization and the communication. I am the one responsible for that. Coaching is coaching once you get on the turf, so that is pretty natural. It is all of the other stuff. I am fortunate, we have a great staff, super helpful, total professionals, tireless workers. They care about the players and great teachers. They have made my job as easy as possible, so I am really grateful.
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Kane Wommack
On the first two defensive practices …
"I think you see the benefit of what we had in our bowl game. With the reps that we got, the young guys are cleaner, they are more confident in the way they communicate, so we have had probably as few mental busts in the first two days than any spring I have been a part of, which is really exciting. For us, it is just about the fundamentals, the effort. Everywhere we went in the offseason, people we met with, effort is what continues to show out. The effort that we play with, the fundamentals have been really good. To me, we just need to continue to improve our fundamentals and get better at those things. Those will be the things that make the difference when we show up to Madison in September."
On the maturity of the defensive unit …
"It is always amazing to me when that final click turns. It is almost night and day from when we lined up against Purdue to what you saw in the maturity and growth in that bowl game. I think that pound-for-pound, we probably played our best football in that bowl game against Tennessee. Even though we came up short, the momentum and confidence our players got from that bowl practice and prep, and to go execute on game day, our guys showed up here confident. They believe in what they are doing right now. They are bought in."
On defensive standouts from the offseason …
"They did not tell you that Penix is going to do a dual-train linebacker/quarterback thing? That sucker is a thing of beauty right now. No, I mean, I think the linebacker group with the ownership and control, they are like a wolfpack in that weight room right now. If you want to work out with those guys, you have to be on one. The attitude and leadership is something we have not had since I have been here defensively out of that unit. The way they look, the presence that they give both on the field and in the weight room has been the missing link in the last two years. I am really excited about that group."
On transition to offensive coordinator …
"We are asking our guys to do a lot. We got another install in and we are a work in progress, like a lot of the other teams starting spring practice. There is a lot to work on. The kids have a good attitude, they are trying hard. We are working on the fundamentals and trying to improve every day. The kids have had a great attitude, so we are pleased with that."
On the quarterbacks …
"We are healthier, for sure. Michael Penix Jr. has come back, rehabbed well and has been able to fully participate. Jack Tuttle is that much older. With Dexter Williams II just getting here, he is figuring it out one period at a time. Same with all of the positions, really. We are just focused on getting better. We have a lot of work to do, but those guys have had a good attitude."
On differences with the new role …
"Just the organization and the communication. I am the one responsible for that. Coaching is coaching once you get on the turf, so that is pretty natural. It is all of the other stuff. I am fortunate, we have a great staff, super helpful, total professionals, tireless workers. They care about the players and great teachers. They have made my job as easy as possible, so I am really grateful.
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Kane Wommack
On the first two defensive practices …
"I think you see the benefit of what we had in our bowl game. With the reps that we got, the young guys are cleaner, they are more confident in the way they communicate, so we have had probably as few mental busts in the first two days than any spring I have been a part of, which is really exciting. For us, it is just about the fundamentals, the effort. Everywhere we went in the offseason, people we met with, effort is what continues to show out. The effort that we play with, the fundamentals have been really good. To me, we just need to continue to improve our fundamentals and get better at those things. Those will be the things that make the difference when we show up to Madison in September."
On the maturity of the defensive unit …
"It is always amazing to me when that final click turns. It is almost night and day from when we lined up against Purdue to what you saw in the maturity and growth in that bowl game. I think that pound-for-pound, we probably played our best football in that bowl game against Tennessee. Even though we came up short, the momentum and confidence our players got from that bowl practice and prep, and to go execute on game day, our guys showed up here confident. They believe in what they are doing right now. They are bought in."
On defensive standouts from the offseason …
"They did not tell you that Penix is going to do a dual-train linebacker/quarterback thing? That sucker is a thing of beauty right now. No, I mean, I think the linebacker group with the ownership and control, they are like a wolfpack in that weight room right now. If you want to work out with those guys, you have to be on one. The attitude and leadership is something we have not had since I have been here defensively out of that unit. The way they look, the presence that they give both on the field and in the weight room has been the missing link in the last two years. I am really excited about that group."
Players Mentioned
FB: Week 10 (at Maryland) - Curt Cignetti Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 01
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 10 (at Maryland)
Thursday, October 30
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 10 (at Maryland)
Wednesday, October 29
FB: Kaelon Black Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28