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Rookie
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Re: The Coaching Life of Stephen Joseph
2020 Media Day
Team Overview / Depth Chart Breakdown
July 20, 2020 – Las Vegas, NV
Welcome to the 2020 Mountain West Conference Media Days!
We would like to welcome newly appointed HC – Stephen Joseph of the Fresno State Bulldogs to the podium to give an introduction, answer a few questions, and give highlights on the projected depth chart from what he has seen at the Spring Game, and Fall camp / practices. Without further ado: Coach Stephen Joseph!
Coach Joseph:
Thank you everyone, it feels great to be here in Las Vegas, I know my wife certainly enjoys it here. (Pause for laughter). But seriously, I can’t wait to take the field Week 1 against Rutgers and put to the test all the hard work that has been put into this team for the past several months since taking the job.
I understand that there will be ups and downs throughout the season but will be prepared for whatever adversity faces us this year and for years to come. I am excited for the leadership from the players on this roster and to see them develop even more on the field this year. My goals are simple, and that is to recruit quality players and kids and grow them into quality young men and continually vie for the Mountain West Conference title year in and year out. Just as the likes of Boise State, UCF, Cincinnati have done and become National powers as Group of 5 teams, I too will strive for that kind of success at Fresno State. At this time, I am available for any questions you may have.
Coach Joseph, How do you plan to overcome your inexperience and youth in order to have success at Fresno State and in the Mountain West Conference?
Honestly, I think my work ethic will speak for itself, but also my willingness to take advice from those that have done it before me and are there to help me, specifically my OC and DC who are both older than me and have been very successful in their own careers. We work well together and want what is best for the team, so listening to their experiences and their philosophies and meshing them with my own, I believe, will achieve the success that Fresno State is looking for.
What is one of the first things you are looking to change at Fresno State to achieve the success you are looking for?
Well, I know I was a WR in my playing days, and a WR coach throughout most of my coaching career, but I have been studying and diagramming the 3-3-5 defense in my spare time and will be implementing this defense along with Coach Inge. I will be recruiting certain types of players to fit the schemes of the 3-3-5 and my philosophy on running it. The players have learned the terminology quickly, but I am sure there will be some growing pains as there is anytime change occurs. My goal is to always put the best players on the field for the scheme and put them in positions to make plays.
What about your offense? What kind of scheme do you plan on implementing?
Well, like I said previously, I am always willing to listen to those who have done it before me and have had success doing those things, and Ryan has had tremendous success running his offense last year. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. I will obviously put my touch on the offense but for the most part, it is Ryan’s baby and his Shotgun based pro style attack will be a majority of what we run this year. With Jake Haener coming over from Washington and sitting out the previous year, he has had an entire year to sit back and learn the offensive scheme. And don’t get me wrong, we will run the ball as well, I mean you must when you have a player as talented as 2nd Team All-Conference HB Ronnie Rivers in your backfield.
So, you mentioned Jake and Ronnie, how about the rest of your team, what has happened during the Spring Game and Summer/Fall Camp to help shape your roster and Depth Chart for the upcoming 2020 season?
At QB, Jake is going to be the starter for Week 1, but don’t sleep on Ben Wooldridge, he has a live arm and is a quality backup redshirt senior that will be available. Right now, Jalan Early, true freshman is the 4th string QB and knows there is an uphill climb, however he has thought about transitioning to wide receiver.
At HB, behind Ronnie, Jordan Mims is the clear-cut backup, however Jevon and Saevion will work in for certain formations. Having a lot of quality backs is a good problem to have.
For wideout, Jalen and Keric will be the starting X and Z receivers. Emoryie and Zane had an intense battle in camp for the starting slot receiver, however Emoryie won the job, but Zane and redshirt freshman dynamic playmaker Josh Kelly will be rotating in as well.
Tight end was one of the most intense battles I have seen in my young coaching career. Raymond Pauwels Jr slightly edged out Rory Hanson. His extra year of experience was evident during summer and fall camp. Matt Lowe finds himself on 3rd string, but his skillset is unlike a normal tight end and will have the ability to be split out and work from the slot. He will need to work on his blocking to become a complete tight end however in the future, luckily for him, he is a true freshman.
On the OLine, there were a couple spots locked up after the spring game (LG Dante Adkins, Jr, and RT Syrus Tuitele) but the remaining three spots had some heated competition all the way up to a week ago when finalizing the depth chart. The left tackle position was won by Alex Akingbulu however we have a lot of depth at that position and the RT position so if injuries/lack of production should occur, we will truly have a next man up ability. Matt Smith outplayed the starter from last year Bula Schmidt but the competition will probably remain throughout the season. Quireo Woodley will be the starter after stiff competition from Tyrone Sampson Jr who will be the swing guard to start the season.
Defensively, we are going to see who is up to the challenge and who adapts to the 3-3-5 defense the quickest. There is strong leadership on the defensive line with Kwami, Perales, and Kevin Atkins. Isaiah Johnson will serve as the backup to both end positions and should be able to rotate in to keep the starters fresh.
Arron Mosby will call the plays on defense and play all 3 downs, and Levelle will start at outside linebacker. There was a constant battle for the other outside linebacker spot. This defense requires a rangy backer that can cover running backs, tight ends, and the occasional wide receiver for that position. We just weren’t seeing the production out of the current linebacker depth, so we sat down with then current backup FS Reggie Strong and felt he could work into that position and given the current depth we already have at FS, would get him on the field. Malachi Langley will be a reserve for both outside backer spots.
Free and Gaston will line up at the starting cornerback spots with Kamron Forest winning the slot cornerback position. Deonte Perry (team captain) will start alongside Kosi at the strong safety positions which in this defense will play close to the line of scrimmage and be key cogs in run support. True sophomore Evan Williams will return as starter at the FS position and be responsible for patrolling the middle of the field.
Cesar Silva will handle the field goal duties and Asa will handle the kickoffs. If Cesar should struggle however, Asa will be the backup field goal kicker. Cade Fuller will be the new punter for 2020.
Thank you for that very thorough update, one last question for you, what goals do you have for the upcoming season?
Winning the National Championship haha, seriously though, my goal is to get better each day we take the field whether it be practices or games and becoming a team that plays for one another.
Thank you for your time and your introduction into the Mountain West Conference, and we will see you Week 1 vs. Rutgers. Go Bulldogs!
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08-20-2021, 08:44 PM
