University of North Carolina Athletics
Larry Fedora Wednesday Quotes
April 23, 2014 | Football
Larry Fedora addressed the media Wednesday as part of the ACC Football Coaches Spring Teleconference. Here are the highlights.
"I think we had a pretty productive spring. We finished up on April 12th. Since that time, we've been doing exit interviews with our players. They've been finishing up their classes. I think we're in the last week of classes. They're getting ready for exams and preparing for a great summer and great fall camp that will lead us into next year."
On how he evaluated the quarterback competition between Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky in spring:
“I think both guys have competed really well, and that's brought out the best in both of them, and I think that they will continue to do that through the sumner and through fall camp. I wish we could have that type of competition at each and every position on our team, and when we do have that, then we're going to be a really good football team. I'm pleased with where both guys are. I'm pleased with the way they've handled the situation. I don't have a given date that I'll make a decision, and I think that way that gives everybody something to talk about all year.
“I think there were certain days that we had one that would do better than the other, and then the next day the other would compete. I mean, that's the great thing about the competition that's going on right now. I can tell you this at this point: I do feel comfortable that we've got two guys that we can win with, and that's a great thing right there. As far as when it'll be determined, I don't know. We'll just see how it works out.”
On the defense being ahead of the offense in the spring:
“First of all, I think our defense is a little bit more experienced than our offense right now. When you talk about just on the field, playing time, all those things, we have some seniors on the defense; we have one scholarship senior on on the offense and I think seven on the defense, so we're still a really young football team. Any of our age is on the defense, and so I just think our guys developed a little bit quicker. We've got guys that have been playing in the system now for three years on that side of the ball, and they totally understand what we're trying to do.”
On the biggest development for team in spring:
“I would have to say defensively I thought our guys really have a good understanding of what we're trying to do on defense, and because of that I thought they made the most progress this spring, and I couldn't pick out one position or one player, I'd just say as a whole, defensively I thought we had a really good spring.”
On the NCAA's recent decision to allow unlimited meals for student-athletes and how his emphasis on nutrition has evolved:
“It's definitely changed over the years. We have two full-time nutritionists here, one that works entirely with our football team. I think it's one of the last frontiers that hasn't been fully tapped yet, when you're talking about the development of our players. It's interesting. James Hurst, who's one of our seniors that's getting ready for the draft comes back from training and talked about how his body weight went down, his body fat went down, his muscle mass went up, and we started talking about it. I said, 'James, what did you do?' He said, 'Well, I did what you guys have been telling us for the last two years that you've been there, and I really bought into it and it's amazing the results.' And so if these kids can start buying into this, what we're doing nutrition-wise, I think they're going to see great results for them athletically and the way they perform on Saturdays.”
