University of North Carolina Athletics
A Conversation With Jim Webster: Part I
May 30, 2001 | Football
May 30, 2001
By: Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue: I know that one of your biggest concerns about this squad is its mental toughness. Can you measure how much it has improved from the time you arrived through the end of spring practice?
Coach Webster: "There wasn't any doubt in my mind that it would improve because of Coach Connors. That's the great thing about Jeff. Most Strength & Conditioning coaches just work on improving the body of a football player, but Jeff works on improving the body and the mind.
"The process of making us a mentally tougher football team began the first day they walked into the weight room after Jeff got here. Jeff creates a two-headed monster through physical strength and mental strength.
"That's how we got a head start with that, because of what he was doing in the weight room, in addition to what we coaches presented to them once we were able to get onto the field. So, the process of building mental toughness didn't start when we started practice.
"It started the first day they walked into the weight room."
TarHeelBlue: You're the assistant head coach. What extra duties does that encompass?
Coach Webster: "It encompasses discipline, I'm in charge of discipline.
"Sometimes that makes me the not-so-well liked guy on the staff. I've told the players, 'OK, I'm coach (fill in the word of your choice)' because sometimes you have to be just that. You have to discipline players.
"The great thing about that is that Coach Bunting believes in it, just as strongly as I do, maybe even more. That's the best part about it. That makes my job much easier.
"He's a strong, strong believer in discipline. He's seen the difference that it makes in football teams. He backs me 100%.
"Now I'm not totally responsible, because every coach is responsible for discipline. But I sort of oversee it and coordinate it.
"I also help John in other ways. The man has a full plate, I don't see how he keeps up with all that he does. There will be things that come across his desk that he either doesn't have time to handle or would rather that I handle, so I'll take care of it for him.
"Then there's a lot of other little things that you can't just say in words or put on paper. Maybe we'll have a team meeting scheduled, and John will have an Educational Foundation responsibility, so I'll take care of the team meeting.
"It works out well for us. John does a great job of handling that full plate. I don't know how he does it, but he does it."
TarHeelBlue: How does this job differ from your previous coaching jobs?
Coach Webster: "The thing that I have come to realize is that the University of North Carolina is a very high profile school and athletic program. I say that meaning there is a lot more interest outside the local community for what's going on with the program.
"At a lot of other schools I've been to there was some interest outside, but the greater interest was localized within the community, or that part of the state.
"But, I find that this is a much higher profile school, the boundaries spread out a lot farther than at some other schools. You have to recognize that whatever you do or say gets a lot more attention. You have to be conscious of that.
"It has been a very meaningful few months since I've been here. It's given me a chance to reminisce about some old things.
"For so many years, other than the one year I did coach here, being on the outside looking in, it was a matter of wondering why this is happening, wondering why that is happening, but not trying to get too involved because you're not there. ut, there was also a feeling of wanting to be a part of it.
"It's given me an opportunity to sort of answer some of those questions, to get rid of those feelings of 'What's going on there, why aren't they doing this, why aren't they doing that? Why isn't the program more successful?'.
"I think that it was really coming to a head, because there were a lot of mixed emotions for this season. As you know, I was at East Carolina and we were getting ready to play North Carolina this year. The emotions had really been bubbling since it was announced that the game would be played.
"Coming here has eliminated those things, giving me a chance to concentrate on UNC and UNC alone, as opposed to being at East Carolina and having to do a little of both mentally.
"That game will be unlike any thing else this stadium has ever seen. It's going to be wild, I guarantee you. East Carolina fans are some of the best fans around. They really, really support the program. They travel well, they get real excited, they're loud, they're boisterous, and they do all the things you want your fans to do, particularly when you are on the road.
"They're great fans, they really travel well. Even though they're smaller numbers, their presence is greater than their numbers. It will be a challenge."
TarHeelBlue: What can our fans do to help you guys out?
Coach Webster: "Other than when I played here, I really know nothing about the fans as far as their reaction to games here in Kenan Stadium. I've heard different things about the fans here, but I really don't know, so I can't address it from the standpoint that they need to do this, or they need to do that.
"I think that the first obligation is not with the fans, but with us. That's what I really, really believe. The first obligation is not to the fans and their reaction, but to us as a football team.
"Because number one, it is our responsibility to play hard. It is our responsibility to go on the field and give our best from the start of the game until the end of the game, regardless of the score. It is our responsibility to go out there and play with pride, play with dignity, and put forth our best effort to win.
"I really believe that once the fans recognize that this team is playing hard, that this team is properly prepared, they're in condition and they're playing as hard as they possibly can and giving their maximum effort, then we have fulfilled our obligation to the fans.
"Once we have done that, I think the fans will do what comes naturally. I think the fans will applaud a team that plays hard, a team that will give its best effort. Quite naturally, we will be disappointed if we don't win, they will be disappointed if we don't win.
"I think that the support for the effort we have given is what we would want. ut, we can't expect that from them if we're not giving effort on the field.
"The obligation is with us, not with the fans. I really do believe in my heart that if we do what we're supposed to do, then they'll do what they're supposed to do. If we go out there and play hard and do our best, then will cheer their best and do their best to support us."
TarHeelBlue: How much do the players feed off the fans?
Coach Webster: "To be honest with you, I think the players on the sidelines feed off the fans, but for the guys in the game, it's like you're in a zone.
"In my mind, when I played, even when we were away, we were always playing at home. In my mind, every time somebody was cheering, they were cheering for me.
"It bothers me to see a player on the field doing this (waving his arms) to the fans. That means he isn't into the game. How can you be thinking about what you're supposed to be doing, how can you tell your coach you're concentrating on what you're supposed to be doing, when you're waving your arms at the fans?
"Now the guys on the side line, I can understand that a little bit. But a player on the field, turning to the crowd trying to incite them, that bothers me. What that tells me is that he's not focused on the job he's supposed to be doing on the field. I don't coach or teach my players to do that. I don't like it when they do that.
"You can talk to some players who aren't even aware of what the fans are doing, then you can talk to players who will tell you they like it when the fans get pumped.
"I think they need to take care of their business on the field. The fans will take care of themselves.
"It didn't bother me one way or the other when I played, because I had a job to do on the field. The only noise I heard was the helmets hitting, the shoulder pads flapping, guys moaning and groaning in pain. That's what it's all about.
"I had plenty to listen to on the football field without listening to the fans. After the game's over, we'll listen to the cheers. But during the game, it's head gear and shoulder pads, baby. That's what you're listening to.
"Just take care of your business."
In Thursday's Part II, Webster gives a detailed look at how each of his players performed this spring, plus tells us what he expects from Julius Peppers.
Friday's Part III will feature Webster discussing the Oklahoma game, who he thinks are the toughest players on the squad, plus his choice for the top player from spring practice.
