It was just myself and the Daily Star's Michael Lev at practice today spending time with Rich Rodriguez, Marcel Yates and players. We covered a wide range of topics with those we spoke with including a couple relevant topics in particular.
* I'll start with the new indoor facility that Rodriguez has been asking for going back to Greg Byrne's days. It really is all about showing that the school is committed to the football program and after talking with Rodriguez it is clear that is the overarching theme of why he wants it more than just what it will be used for. Dave Hekee is scheduled to present the project along with other facility upgrades to the ABOR this week and so we talked about it with Rodriguez today.
Rodriguez added that he's "hopeful" about it getting done. If all goes according to plan Arizona would be able to move in late next year.
"Everybody's been supportive on campus and they know what we need facility wise," he said. "I have a lot of ideas unfortunately they all cost a lot of money. We're fortunate we have the land space right here where our football facility is to do some things, so hopefully in the near future we'll get some stuff done."
* Something that will be key for Rodriguez and the department as a whole will be the influence and relationship with Arizona's president Robert C. Robbins. So far things have gone well and he is a big supporter of UA sports and it has helped.
"I've had great support here administratively since I've gotten here," Rodriguez said. "President Robbins, I've been with him a couple times and he's terrific. He loves athletics. ... You can tell he can help us in recruiting from talking to recruits. He did before when he was at Stanford and helped their coaches out and we certainly plan on using him."
* Isaiah Hayes is someone who could help in a variety of ways for Arizona whether that be at free safety or even at cornerback where the rotation has been slim this season. However, it might take until next year for the sophomore from California to make an impact again after starting at free safety in his freshman season. Hayes has not played this season because of a shoulder injury and Rodriguez said he is "not too optimistic" about Hayes' chances of getting back on the field this year.
"No, I'm not too optimistic about that I mean we're still looking at it," he said. "We miss him because he's a physical, aggressive guy so I'm not sure what his injury status or how long it will be but right now it doesn't look like he'll be playing anytime soon."
* Something I noticed that was different about Arizona as this season has gone on and finally got around to inquiring about was Marcel Yates making the move from the box down to the field this year. The Arizona defensive coordinator didn't start out there as he went through the first game up in the box when UA hosted NAU. After that game he decided it would be best to move down to the field to get a better feel for how things were and get a better read on his young players and it has made a difference. If you notice that coincides with the improved play of the Wildcats on that side of the ball.
It's going to stay that way for the rest of this season and for Yates it means a better understanding and better communication with his young defense.
"Being able to talk to the guys," Yates said about what changes. "Being able to see their eyes and see who's nervous. Getting a feel for the game. Seeing the quarterback and who he's looking at and what he's checking. Just getting a feel for what they're trying to do offensively."
One example Yates used was from the last game when Arizona gave up a quick touchdown and he was able to rally the entire unit and in his words "get on them" because he thought there wasn't the right intensity.
"I thought we were lackadaisical," he said. "We weren't playing fast, we were playing soft and we weren't going to get it. We were playing very passive. They were taking it to us, so I was able to get on them a little bit and get them going to at least show them that I was fired up."
* I'll start with the new indoor facility that Rodriguez has been asking for going back to Greg Byrne's days. It really is all about showing that the school is committed to the football program and after talking with Rodriguez it is clear that is the overarching theme of why he wants it more than just what it will be used for. Dave Hekee is scheduled to present the project along with other facility upgrades to the ABOR this week and so we talked about it with Rodriguez today.
Rodriguez added that he's "hopeful" about it getting done. If all goes according to plan Arizona would be able to move in late next year.
"Everybody's been supportive on campus and they know what we need facility wise," he said. "I have a lot of ideas unfortunately they all cost a lot of money. We're fortunate we have the land space right here where our football facility is to do some things, so hopefully in the near future we'll get some stuff done."
* Something that will be key for Rodriguez and the department as a whole will be the influence and relationship with Arizona's president Robert C. Robbins. So far things have gone well and he is a big supporter of UA sports and it has helped.
"I've had great support here administratively since I've gotten here," Rodriguez said. "President Robbins, I've been with him a couple times and he's terrific. He loves athletics. ... You can tell he can help us in recruiting from talking to recruits. He did before when he was at Stanford and helped their coaches out and we certainly plan on using him."
* Isaiah Hayes is someone who could help in a variety of ways for Arizona whether that be at free safety or even at cornerback where the rotation has been slim this season. However, it might take until next year for the sophomore from California to make an impact again after starting at free safety in his freshman season. Hayes has not played this season because of a shoulder injury and Rodriguez said he is "not too optimistic" about Hayes' chances of getting back on the field this year.
"No, I'm not too optimistic about that I mean we're still looking at it," he said. "We miss him because he's a physical, aggressive guy so I'm not sure what his injury status or how long it will be but right now it doesn't look like he'll be playing anytime soon."
* Something I noticed that was different about Arizona as this season has gone on and finally got around to inquiring about was Marcel Yates making the move from the box down to the field this year. The Arizona defensive coordinator didn't start out there as he went through the first game up in the box when UA hosted NAU. After that game he decided it would be best to move down to the field to get a better feel for how things were and get a better read on his young players and it has made a difference. If you notice that coincides with the improved play of the Wildcats on that side of the ball.
It's going to stay that way for the rest of this season and for Yates it means a better understanding and better communication with his young defense.
"Being able to talk to the guys," Yates said about what changes. "Being able to see their eyes and see who's nervous. Getting a feel for the game. Seeing the quarterback and who he's looking at and what he's checking. Just getting a feel for what they're trying to do offensively."
One example Yates used was from the last game when Arizona gave up a quick touchdown and he was able to rally the entire unit and in his words "get on them" because he thought there wasn't the right intensity.
"I thought we were lackadaisical," he said. "We weren't playing fast, we were playing soft and we weren't going to get it. We were playing very passive. They were taking it to us, so I was able to get on them a little bit and get them going to at least show them that I was fired up."
