Indiana University Athletics
Spring Ball Chatter: Running Backs
3/29/2022 3:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football associate head coach/running backs coach Craig Johnson and running backs Josh Henderson and Shaun Shivers met with the media on Tuesday (March 29).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference and video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
On his position group through the first couple weeks of spring ball...
CJ: The biggest thing is the guys to me have made the biggest improvement with the terminology. It was a little new, as it always is when you have a new coordinator, but at the end of the day, they were a little sluggish with it the first week, which was to be expected. I think, and believe strongly, since then they have really done a good job. They are picking it up and starting to play a little bit faster, we are able to put a little bit more stuff in for them to learn from, so it's been really good. I like where they are at, however, we always still have a long way to go.
On how the coaching staff has meshed to this point...
CJ: At the end of the day, here is what happens when you are a new coach in a system, regardless of when you are there, you just have to really hone in and find all the details. People often times in football think, 'it's just coaching football,' but everybody calls stuff different. That is part of the learning curve. It is what we expect our players to do. I believe as coaches, once we are more comfortable in the system we will teach it better, we will teach it faster, and they will come along with that. At least for myself now, I have been here a little over a month and I certainly believe I am more comfortable in the system, and I can teach it better.
On Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson and how they are fitting in...
CJ: They have done a really good job of being out in front in our group. They are playing like guys with experience that have been through the ropes, so to speak. I think they are doing a really good job with leadership in my group. When they get their opportunities, they are making the plays. Josh has done a really good job all around, and in pass [protection] he has been tremendous. Shaun has really also done a good job in pass protection and has broken off some good runs. Obviously, you look for that from the leadership, I know that the players - which is a good thing - ask them a lot of questions. That is good, because they want to rely on the leadership that they bring, and I love the answers that they give because they sound like a coach.
Josh Henderson | RB | Sr.
On his transition into the program…
JH: This staff brings it every day. That is something that really impressed myself and my family when I was in the process of finding another school. Everybody on this staff is all bought in and it really encourages all of the players to step up their game and be the best player they can be every day. They motivate us day in and day out.
On what he likes about the offense...
JH: One thing that has stuck out to me about the offense is how physical the offensive line is. They have been doing a great job and getting better every day and every practice. It's not just the practices with helmets, it is also in the weight room. We always encourage each other and there are leaders all over the offense. I think everyone is all bought in and can't wait to get it started and see how far we take this. I am excited about our team. Everybody is motivated.
Shaun Shivers | RB | Sr.+
On his decision to come to Indiana…
SS: First, I was at Auburn for four years and I kind of saw my playing time decrease ... That kind of made me think, 'It's time. Finish the season strong, but it's time to move on and get another opportunity somewhere else.' Once I got into the transfer portal, [Indiana] called me as soon as I was in the portal. They were one of the first ones to call and tell me about the program and that most of their running backs were hurt or leaving, so I felt like it was the best decision to come here and compete for a starting position ... Me coming here was basically for me to have the best opportunity to make it to the next level.
On being recruited by one coach and playing for a new coach...
SS: They both have similar backgrounds. They both coached in the NFL. They both coached great dudes. With Coach Johnson being able to do that, just like Coach [Deland] McCullough had. [Coach Johnson] coached some dudes in the NFL, so obviously he knows what he is talking about. He knows the ways for us to do things as a running back and get us going. He knows what it takes to get to the next level.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference and video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Craig Johnson | Associate Head Coach/Running Backs
On his position group through the first couple weeks of spring ball...
CJ: The biggest thing is the guys to me have made the biggest improvement with the terminology. It was a little new, as it always is when you have a new coordinator, but at the end of the day, they were a little sluggish with it the first week, which was to be expected. I think, and believe strongly, since then they have really done a good job. They are picking it up and starting to play a little bit faster, we are able to put a little bit more stuff in for them to learn from, so it's been really good. I like where they are at, however, we always still have a long way to go.
On how the coaching staff has meshed to this point...
CJ: At the end of the day, here is what happens when you are a new coach in a system, regardless of when you are there, you just have to really hone in and find all the details. People often times in football think, 'it's just coaching football,' but everybody calls stuff different. That is part of the learning curve. It is what we expect our players to do. I believe as coaches, once we are more comfortable in the system we will teach it better, we will teach it faster, and they will come along with that. At least for myself now, I have been here a little over a month and I certainly believe I am more comfortable in the system, and I can teach it better.
On Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson and how they are fitting in...
CJ: They have done a really good job of being out in front in our group. They are playing like guys with experience that have been through the ropes, so to speak. I think they are doing a really good job with leadership in my group. When they get their opportunities, they are making the plays. Josh has done a really good job all around, and in pass [protection] he has been tremendous. Shaun has really also done a good job in pass protection and has broken off some good runs. Obviously, you look for that from the leadership, I know that the players - which is a good thing - ask them a lot of questions. That is good, because they want to rely on the leadership that they bring, and I love the answers that they give because they sound like a coach.
Josh Henderson | RB | Sr.
On his transition into the program…
JH: This staff brings it every day. That is something that really impressed myself and my family when I was in the process of finding another school. Everybody on this staff is all bought in and it really encourages all of the players to step up their game and be the best player they can be every day. They motivate us day in and day out.
On what he likes about the offense...
JH: One thing that has stuck out to me about the offense is how physical the offensive line is. They have been doing a great job and getting better every day and every practice. It's not just the practices with helmets, it is also in the weight room. We always encourage each other and there are leaders all over the offense. I think everyone is all bought in and can't wait to get it started and see how far we take this. I am excited about our team. Everybody is motivated.
Shaun Shivers | RB | Sr.+
On his decision to come to Indiana…
SS: First, I was at Auburn for four years and I kind of saw my playing time decrease ... That kind of made me think, 'It's time. Finish the season strong, but it's time to move on and get another opportunity somewhere else.' Once I got into the transfer portal, [Indiana] called me as soon as I was in the portal. They were one of the first ones to call and tell me about the program and that most of their running backs were hurt or leaving, so I felt like it was the best decision to come here and compete for a starting position ... Me coming here was basically for me to have the best opportunity to make it to the next level.
On being recruited by one coach and playing for a new coach...
SS: They both have similar backgrounds. They both coached in the NFL. They both coached great dudes. With Coach Johnson being able to do that, just like Coach [Deland] McCullough had. [Coach Johnson] coached some dudes in the NFL, so obviously he knows what he is talking about. He knows the ways for us to do things as a running back and get us going. He knows what it takes to get to the next level.
Players Mentioned
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