Nov. 1, 2004
Coach O'Leary MAC Teleconference November 1, 2004
Q: "I know being winless at this point is a tough thing to go through, how do you feel your team's attitude is right now?
O'Leary: "I think that's one thing that I have commented to our team about. They've gone into every game with a great attitude. A `coach me coach' attitude, and again we've fallen short not because of effort. We're young in a lot of areas playing a lot of freshmen, and sustaining things as far as consistency has been a problem. But as far as their attitude and effort is concerned, I think it's been outstanding because that's normally what you get concerned about when you haven't won a game. Usually at that point you're looking at the end of year instead of each game, and treating each game important."
Q: "I know that you probably assessed your team very well before the season began, is there where you thought you would be in terms of level of performances?
O'Leary: "Obviously not. I think that we injuries have played a major part in the season. What experience that we did have coming back from last year's team a lot of them have been out for a number of games, and we've had to play first year players. At the Division I level there is a lot of uncertainly there when they are in the game, and there is not a lot of confidence there because they haven't had the experience to do things."
Q: "You have played a lot of games on the road this season, how thankful are you to get back home?"
O'Leary: "It's always good to get back home. It's a good situation for us there. Anytime you're playing at home you are more comfortable with the surroundings, and the routine of what you're going through is so much easier than when you are on the road. "
Q: "What is the message this week? How are you approaching this one? Is it as just another game just another week?
O'Leary: "Well it is another game another week. We have a three game season, and that is how you have to look at it. The one good thing is that I thought we played hard at Marshall, but we weren't consistent on offense in some of our decisions. I think the big is that we came out of the game healthy for the first time this year without losing a player. That's a plus right there. We'll continue working. It's a home game this week, and that's the way we're treating it. We'll start getting ready today as far as offense, defense, and special teams."
Q: "Just looking at the standings in the final three games, those are games in which you should be very competitive. From that standpoint, how important would it be to build some momentum?
O'Leary: "We need to build momentum going into the offseason. There is no question how important that is as far as recruiting, and their confidence level with their psyche concerned. I do think that the players a good effort. We're here with a lot of transition players. It takes some time and experience to get things done."
Q: "Coach you have been a success everywhere you been, and I know that you are not used to losing. How have you and the coaching staff handling what's been going on this season?"
O'Leary: "It's funny that you ask that. All of the coaches that I've hired have basically come from winning programs. We knew the situation when we came in, and we were given what was available along with what was already here. Every word has been true. I think the big thing is that we have to stay positives with the players, and probably have a lot more patience than I have ever had in my coaching career. I do think that we are getting good effort. We just have to get guys to believe in what they are supposed to do, and react to it."
Q: "How important is it for you as far as recruiting wise to make Central Florida your base?"
O'Leary: "I think it's important that you recruit your state very strong, and take players that can help your program win. We're going to recruit the state very hard. We've been in every high school in the state of Florida since last May so I think they understand our intentions. We have had a good response so far."
Q: "When you're talking to these high school senior or these prep schools guys, do you say look this is what we have, this is who we're playing, playing time is available right now, and is that a primary selling point?"
O'Leary: "I think a selling point is the facilities too. I push that. Basically we've had to deal with some situations, but the opportunity to play will be there. But again that's the selling point when I talk to them, or their parents are the phone. Also staying closing to home is big with the players in Central Florida. I think a majority of the kids want to stay in Florida, and I think we have to do a good job of getting the kids that are leaving the state that initially what to stay home."
Q: "Give us a quick scouting report on what you see in Ohio."
O'Leary: "I think Ohio University just watching them is well coached. I think they play their positions well. They've been in a bunch of ball games, and have had opportunities to win them. I do think they play extremely hard, and with good effort on the field. They have some good schemes offensively and defensively."