Indiana University Athletics
Offensive Coordinator Rod Carey Meets with Media
10/4/2023 2:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– New Indiana Football offensive coordinator Rod Carey met with the media at Memorial Stadium for the first time after taking on his new role on Wednesday (October 4). Indiana head coach Tom Allen began the press conference with an opening statement about the change.
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement:
TA: Good afternoon. I just wanted to start by saying that I went through and evaluated our offense after the game was over early on Sunday morning. And you go back and look at the data, in four FBS games we've only scored three touchdowns in meaningful minutes. Just not good enough and I believe we need to be much better, have to be much better. I just felt like this was the timing with the bye week to make a change and have decided to name Rod Carey as our new offensive coordinator. Just really excited about the time we've spent together the last two years. It was a lot defensively a year ago, working with that side of the ball and as a quality control personnel and just a chance to help us as head coach to head coach with his vast experience as a head coach and his experience as an offensive coordinator and obviously helped us last year with the offensive line and all different things to allow us to improve in those areas. Excited about having him here with us and obviously played here, loves Indiana, passionate about Indiana Football and wants to help get us where we need to be.
Rod Carey | Offensive Coordinator
Opening Statement
RC: Hi everyone, I'm excited about it. Obviously, the way it happened you're never excited about that. I've been in Tom's shoes before. Those are hard choices and I have a lot of sympathy for the choice he had to make and obviously for Coach (Walt) Bell. I think the world of Coach Bell. I got the opportunity to work as quality control this year on that side of the ball before this change and developed a good relationship with him. The personal side of this is hard, the business side is real. I think we all get it; we just haven't been good enough on offense and it's my charge to get us better. I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't think I could, so that's going to be the mindset that we can. I'm not going to take a snap. I did that here and I can't do it anymore. I think we can make a difference and those differences are coming together. … There's nothing you can do midseason as far as setup. The setup is the setup, the offense is the offense. What you're trying to do is get us to run those plays better and maybe do it with a little different flare here and there. That's about all you can do. I'm excited about it and I think the guys are, too, being with the offense the last two days and the offensive staff. We've had flashes, so we need to make those flashes more permanent light on type deal.
On his mindset while trying to ignite the offense midseason…
RC: It's not ideal, right? Thought process is do what we can to maybe simplify to maybe accentuate some things that we can do, do those more. It's really the little things. … There is not a magic wand here. It's the little things, it's the details and really with the setup with the staff and how we're going to approach things. Those little things tend to make a big difference.
On working with the quarterbacks…
RC: Yeah, I'm going to do the quarterbacks on that. In my role as quality control, in those meetings you're not allowed to speak but you're in taking notes. So, I have good familiarity of what they've been taught. Like I said, I'll reiterate it again, Coach Bell is a good fundamental teacher so that part is in place.
On his approach with the players to build the offense back up in short time …
RC: The first thing that we did is we were just honest with them. You have to do that. Why are we in this situation? Why is Coach Allen making this? We haven't been good enough and they got that. As far as how to approach it with them and get them excited, like they are. They see the flashes and they know, and they have good confidence. And they're upset. There isn't a lot of 'one for the gipper' speeches that you got to do here. They want to be good, and they have a lot of energy to do that. I don't think there's a problem on any side of that the honesty and then the excitement. I think that's my job to get in there and prod that along more.
On getting the offense to flash more consistently...
RC: There is no time to make drastic changes. It is going to be the small details that we have to do that are going to add up to a difference. If I didn't believe that I wouldn't be standing in front of you. I told Coach Allen that, too, that if I didn't believe that, not just me, but us, as we go forward can we make a difference. I do believe that.
On where he feels the offense can be more successful...
RC: There are probably some things that we have done that we need to do more of that has been successful. This is the cheap seats version of it: you see something that you've done good, and we just need to do more of it. You see something that hasn't been productive, you just don't do that anymore. That's the cheap seats version and is what we have been spending our time trying to identify as a staff. That is one of the little things we can do.
On if he feels that some things on offense need to be simplified...
RC: Maybe you are misconstruing what I said earlier. Simplifying the offense doesn't mean that reads necessarily are going to change. But maybe we are going to do more of the ones they read better and less of the ones that they don't read well. So, that's probably more in line of what we are going to get done.
On what he can take from the process last season to help him in this transition...
RC: Probably the things that I have been saying. Last year, there wasn't time to change what had been taught ... we didn't have a bye week when I came on to coach the [offensive line], it was like a five day [lead up to our next game]. There is a little bit of a breath here that we have, but the thing you glean from that situation to this one is you have to take what is existing, do what you are doing in that existing stuff better and what you are not doing good, just don't do that stuff anymore.
On how the offense can deceive the defense a little more moving forward...
RC: I am glad you asked that question. It was a little different than I thought I was going to get it. I have a real easy philosophy on offense: if you ask me what do you like on offense, I say, what works. I like misdirection, running, throwing, controlling the ball, and controlling the game. I believe that offenses control games and defenses play really well when an offense can control games. It doesn't always go that way all the time, that's just not how it goes. With Coach Allen, I follow his lead and we have talked a lot about this, from my time being a head coach, if we can control the game - and you obviously have to score points - your defense is going to play great, and you are going to get a lot of opportunities on offense.
So, yes to all of the above for you: misdirection, running, throwing, yes. I like what works and that is what we are in the middle of trying to figure out.
On getting back to being a play caller...
RC: That [the 2012 season] was the last time I was an offensive coordinator but that is not the last time I called plays. I am an offensive guy and had two really good offensive coordinators and they did a good job, but there were times that I was heavily involved in that and doing some of that. We never made that a big deal but been doing that basically my whole career.
What have I learned from now to then: do what works. I hate to be simple with it, guys, but we kind of have to be. If we make it too complicated, no one is going to be any good. It's modern offense, so it's not like we are just going to line up in the I and go old right-three, Don [Fischer], we are not doing that. We are going to be simple. Only, Don gets that because that was a play call from Coach Mallory. That is burned in my head.
On how much he draws from the experience last season...
RC: When I got up in front and talked to the offense on Sunday and I said I am really excited because I have been around you guys [this season]. Last year, when I took over, I was on the defensive side. You want to talk about coming in and barely knowing names. I was like, "What was your name again? That's right, number 53, got that." This year, much more familiarity. Now, it has been centered around the quarterbacks, but already having that relationship with the offensive line and being here for an offseason obviously you get to know about everybody. Obviously, there are some guys I have to develop those relationships with, no doubt. In a quality control role, you're in the backgrounds. You're around, but you are in the backgrounds.
On the conversation when he was asked to be the offensive coordinator...
RC: I think he was very heavy hearted because he knows the personal cost of that with Coach [Walt] Bell. So, it wasn't like I was sitting in there jumping for joy, because I had a heavy heart, too. At the same time, there was good excitement from both of us, but very tempered, because of the transition and how difficult those things can be. It's a double-edged sword: it was good and bad at the same time. I don't know how else to describe it.
On how red zone execution can improve over the last seven weeks...
RC: Get the ball across the goal line. That is about as easy as it can get. It's everyone's execution on this and it starts with me, goes to the position coaches, goes to the players and the quarterback, obviously. We all carry the responsibility, and we have to get the ball across the goal line. By hook or crook, that is what we have to do.
Below is a full transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement:
TA: Good afternoon. I just wanted to start by saying that I went through and evaluated our offense after the game was over early on Sunday morning. And you go back and look at the data, in four FBS games we've only scored three touchdowns in meaningful minutes. Just not good enough and I believe we need to be much better, have to be much better. I just felt like this was the timing with the bye week to make a change and have decided to name Rod Carey as our new offensive coordinator. Just really excited about the time we've spent together the last two years. It was a lot defensively a year ago, working with that side of the ball and as a quality control personnel and just a chance to help us as head coach to head coach with his vast experience as a head coach and his experience as an offensive coordinator and obviously helped us last year with the offensive line and all different things to allow us to improve in those areas. Excited about having him here with us and obviously played here, loves Indiana, passionate about Indiana Football and wants to help get us where we need to be.
Rod Carey | Offensive Coordinator
Opening Statement
RC: Hi everyone, I'm excited about it. Obviously, the way it happened you're never excited about that. I've been in Tom's shoes before. Those are hard choices and I have a lot of sympathy for the choice he had to make and obviously for Coach (Walt) Bell. I think the world of Coach Bell. I got the opportunity to work as quality control this year on that side of the ball before this change and developed a good relationship with him. The personal side of this is hard, the business side is real. I think we all get it; we just haven't been good enough on offense and it's my charge to get us better. I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't think I could, so that's going to be the mindset that we can. I'm not going to take a snap. I did that here and I can't do it anymore. I think we can make a difference and those differences are coming together. … There's nothing you can do midseason as far as setup. The setup is the setup, the offense is the offense. What you're trying to do is get us to run those plays better and maybe do it with a little different flare here and there. That's about all you can do. I'm excited about it and I think the guys are, too, being with the offense the last two days and the offensive staff. We've had flashes, so we need to make those flashes more permanent light on type deal.
On his mindset while trying to ignite the offense midseason…
RC: It's not ideal, right? Thought process is do what we can to maybe simplify to maybe accentuate some things that we can do, do those more. It's really the little things. … There is not a magic wand here. It's the little things, it's the details and really with the setup with the staff and how we're going to approach things. Those little things tend to make a big difference.
On working with the quarterbacks…
RC: Yeah, I'm going to do the quarterbacks on that. In my role as quality control, in those meetings you're not allowed to speak but you're in taking notes. So, I have good familiarity of what they've been taught. Like I said, I'll reiterate it again, Coach Bell is a good fundamental teacher so that part is in place.
On his approach with the players to build the offense back up in short time …
RC: The first thing that we did is we were just honest with them. You have to do that. Why are we in this situation? Why is Coach Allen making this? We haven't been good enough and they got that. As far as how to approach it with them and get them excited, like they are. They see the flashes and they know, and they have good confidence. And they're upset. There isn't a lot of 'one for the gipper' speeches that you got to do here. They want to be good, and they have a lot of energy to do that. I don't think there's a problem on any side of that the honesty and then the excitement. I think that's my job to get in there and prod that along more.
On getting the offense to flash more consistently...
RC: There is no time to make drastic changes. It is going to be the small details that we have to do that are going to add up to a difference. If I didn't believe that I wouldn't be standing in front of you. I told Coach Allen that, too, that if I didn't believe that, not just me, but us, as we go forward can we make a difference. I do believe that.
On where he feels the offense can be more successful...
RC: There are probably some things that we have done that we need to do more of that has been successful. This is the cheap seats version of it: you see something that you've done good, and we just need to do more of it. You see something that hasn't been productive, you just don't do that anymore. That's the cheap seats version and is what we have been spending our time trying to identify as a staff. That is one of the little things we can do.
On if he feels that some things on offense need to be simplified...
RC: Maybe you are misconstruing what I said earlier. Simplifying the offense doesn't mean that reads necessarily are going to change. But maybe we are going to do more of the ones they read better and less of the ones that they don't read well. So, that's probably more in line of what we are going to get done.
On what he can take from the process last season to help him in this transition...
RC: Probably the things that I have been saying. Last year, there wasn't time to change what had been taught ... we didn't have a bye week when I came on to coach the [offensive line], it was like a five day [lead up to our next game]. There is a little bit of a breath here that we have, but the thing you glean from that situation to this one is you have to take what is existing, do what you are doing in that existing stuff better and what you are not doing good, just don't do that stuff anymore.
On how the offense can deceive the defense a little more moving forward...
RC: I am glad you asked that question. It was a little different than I thought I was going to get it. I have a real easy philosophy on offense: if you ask me what do you like on offense, I say, what works. I like misdirection, running, throwing, controlling the ball, and controlling the game. I believe that offenses control games and defenses play really well when an offense can control games. It doesn't always go that way all the time, that's just not how it goes. With Coach Allen, I follow his lead and we have talked a lot about this, from my time being a head coach, if we can control the game - and you obviously have to score points - your defense is going to play great, and you are going to get a lot of opportunities on offense.
So, yes to all of the above for you: misdirection, running, throwing, yes. I like what works and that is what we are in the middle of trying to figure out.
On getting back to being a play caller...
RC: That [the 2012 season] was the last time I was an offensive coordinator but that is not the last time I called plays. I am an offensive guy and had two really good offensive coordinators and they did a good job, but there were times that I was heavily involved in that and doing some of that. We never made that a big deal but been doing that basically my whole career.
What have I learned from now to then: do what works. I hate to be simple with it, guys, but we kind of have to be. If we make it too complicated, no one is going to be any good. It's modern offense, so it's not like we are just going to line up in the I and go old right-three, Don [Fischer], we are not doing that. We are going to be simple. Only, Don gets that because that was a play call from Coach Mallory. That is burned in my head.
On how much he draws from the experience last season...
RC: When I got up in front and talked to the offense on Sunday and I said I am really excited because I have been around you guys [this season]. Last year, when I took over, I was on the defensive side. You want to talk about coming in and barely knowing names. I was like, "What was your name again? That's right, number 53, got that." This year, much more familiarity. Now, it has been centered around the quarterbacks, but already having that relationship with the offensive line and being here for an offseason obviously you get to know about everybody. Obviously, there are some guys I have to develop those relationships with, no doubt. In a quality control role, you're in the backgrounds. You're around, but you are in the backgrounds.
On the conversation when he was asked to be the offensive coordinator...
RC: I think he was very heavy hearted because he knows the personal cost of that with Coach [Walt] Bell. So, it wasn't like I was sitting in there jumping for joy, because I had a heavy heart, too. At the same time, there was good excitement from both of us, but very tempered, because of the transition and how difficult those things can be. It's a double-edged sword: it was good and bad at the same time. I don't know how else to describe it.
On how red zone execution can improve over the last seven weeks...
RC: Get the ball across the goal line. That is about as easy as it can get. It's everyone's execution on this and it starts with me, goes to the position coaches, goes to the players and the quarterback, obviously. We all carry the responsibility, and we have to get the ball across the goal line. By hook or crook, that is what we have to do.
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