April 30, 2000
Q: Can we get your overall assessment of spring football drills?
A: Our objective was to really put a premium on finding out our personnel situation, in terms of finding out where we were strong, were players playing the right position, where did we need help. From that standpoint, I thought it was an excellent spring practice. We discovered a lot about our football team. Probably the one real negative was the loss of Mason Unck to a pretty severe knee injury. Other than that, I felt the spring was very competitive, and we have a much clearer picture of our personnel and what we need to do.
Q: What did Jeff Krohn do to elevate himself above the other quarterbacks vying for the spot behind (or next to) Ryan Kealy?
A: We knew coming into spring practice that Jeff had some qualities that looked really intriguing to us. But, we wanted to make sure that we gave [John] Leonard, [Matt] Cooper and Griffin Goodman a legitimate chance for all of them to compete. After the eighth practice, it became clearer to us that Jeff, with four years of eligibility remaining, had really an efficient throwing motion, good mobility [and was] bright. We felt like with more repetitions, he would make the kind of progress that was needed. Probably the one thing that he does not have - and we can't do anything about it right now - is experience. I think with more and more experience, we're going to find a really good quarterback.
Q: Are you pleased with Stephen Trejo's transition from linebacker to flyback?
A: Stephen had played high school running back, and was really a dominant player, but it was a consensus that probably in college his spot would be linebacker. He's done a nice job there. The transition to fullback has been really smooth - outstanding in fact. He's enjoyed it, he's taken right to it, his teammates really appreciate what he can do. So, I think that was really a successful move.
Q: What other players earned themselves starting jobs during spring drills?
A: Levi Jones has gone from left guard to left tackle, and it really appears like he's secured his spot there. Kyle Kosier - who last year was kind of a spot player and did a nice job - he's really nailed down the right guard spot. The other wide receiver position across from Rich Williams is still a little foggy, however Shaun McDonald is really starting to put his brand on that spot. Probably the two [defensive] players that made the most progress and have pretty well sinched starting jobs would be the safeties - [Willie] Daniel and [Alfred] Williams. Just terrific young players.
Q: What positions are still up for grabs heading into Camp Tontozona?
A: Strong linebacker, middle linebacker, all the four down linemen - that's really transitional. It's still a work in progress. The corners, right now, are much like our defensive front in that we can play three, four, five different people there. It's going to be competitive right up until the first game.
Q: How did junior college transfers Danny Masaniai and Donny O'Neal perform during their initial foray into Division I football?
A: They performed like they were in transition. [I saw] flashes of real good performances. You look at them and go 'wow!' Danny is a powerful man and is a real terrific run stopper. Donny O'Neal, when he was healthy, showed he was much faster than what people believed him to be. Good, tall wide receiver. However, both of them were inconsistent, either due to injury or other factors. I thought it was good, but not complete.
Q: Which of the 1999 redshirts do you expect to make the greatest impact as freshmen in the 2000 season?
A: We played four true freshmen - [kicker Mike] Barth, [rush end Josh] Amobi, [middle linebacker Solomon] Bates and [cornerback Machtier] Clay, and I think they've got terrific careers ahead of them. The ones that we had redshirted, who are now vying for spots would be Ben Fox and Frank Maddox at tight end. I thought they could add some real depth for us. Regis Crawford has to get in a spot [on the offensive line] where he can get some playing time, because he's a terrific player. The three defensive linemen - [Brian] Montesanto, [Tony] Aguilar and Chad Howell - got a ton of reps this spring, which is really what they needed. They're not quite ready to start, but they're going to be good depth players next fall, and eventually all will end up starting.
Q: Looking at your team, what would be the deepest position?
A: I would have said linebacker before Mason Unck's problem, but it's still pretty strong in terms of depth. But I think you're going to find maybe the offensive line [is exceptionally strong]. You've got a good group of starters, and then with [Damien] Niko, Regis Crawford, Travis Scott coming in, Kenneth Williamson and Marquis Muldrow, I think we're going to have pretty good quality depth.
Q: The weakest?
A: Well, I'm really concerned about the defensive front. I think we have some pretty good players, some really willing, coachable players, but boy, they've got a lot of work ahead of them.
Q: How have the Sun Devil tailbacks and offensive linemen responded to new position coached Vincent White and George Yarno, respectively?
A: The previous two coaches of those two positions [Cornell Jackson and Dan Cozzetto] were real strong "personality" guys. As a head coach, you are always concerned about losing a real strong personality. But my observation is that transition has been terrific - as good as it could be. Both are mature, professional-type coaches that have worked a lot with young people and have been in a lot of games. I'm really pleased with Coach White and Coach Yarno, and I believe the players feel like it was real smooth for them, too.
Q: It's still early, but what other Pac-10 schools had a good spring and figure to make some noise in 2000?
A: You just hear rumors around. I don't mean to put the onus on them totally, but I think the team with the most talent is USC. They have their quarterback back, they have speed [and] they have eight or nine starting defenders returning. I just believe that if they start clicking and gain some momentum, they're going to be very difficult. Washington will be very tough, as will Oregon. I think those are the three, right now, that would probably be in the first tier. Second would be UCLA, Arizona, Stanford - something tells me that [the Cardinal] will have gained confidence from last year. They won't go away.