Notes and Quotes From Big Ten Media Days

Written By T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

First and foremost, our condolences go out to the friends and family of Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and former Michigan State kicker Mike Sadler. The two passed away in a car accident this past weekend. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany spoke of the two in his opening remarks: “We join the Nebraska and Michigan State communities in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families, teammates, coaches, administrators and friends who have been impacted by the tragic loss of Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler. While we are deeply saddened by their untimely loss, we also recognize the impact they had and the success they achieved as students, athletes, citizens and representatives of their respective communities and institutions.”

-Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald welcomed new coaches to the Big Ten: “Welcome to Chris Ash, D.J. Durkin and Tracy Claeys to the Big Ten head coaches fraternity.” Fitzgerald “mistakenly” left out new Illinois head coach Lovie Smith. He would later tweet an apology to the new leader of the Illini football program.

-Maryland head coach DJ Durkin on why he thinks his program is recruiting well: “I think guys are just realizing and seeing we are who we are at our place. We don’t really play the used car salesman type recruiting games. This is who we are, if this fits you and you want to do it, come on with it. If it’s not, we understand too.”

-Jim Harbaugh, Michigan’s head coach, on his talented underclassmen: “We have some very good freshmen we believe have the ability and will have the license to play. Everything thereby is based on a meritocracy. That’s one of my favorite things about our program, is that you’ll be known by your effort and your talent.”

-Purdue head coach Darrell Hazell on the upcoming season and his program, “It’s been three and a half years in the making to get to this point and we’re at a great place right now.” (Ummm…a great place? Wow! Think how happy he’d be if they won a few conference games!) Hazell continued, “The sign said, ‘The train is coming’, but at some point the train has to arrive. That sign is no longer there. I think you’re going to like what steps off the train this year. Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jake Replogle and DeAngelo Yancey won’t only be the best players in the Big Ten, they’ll be the best players in the country.” 

There’s confidence and there’s delusion. You can decide which of the two Hazell is projecting.

- Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on his team’s talent and on being a national title contender: “I see that potential. I would say going into this this is as talented group top to bottom as we’ve had. Now how do we get them game-ready?” 

Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett spoke highly of potential breakout star, wide receiver Noah Brown: “He has suction cups for hands.”

-Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys doesn’t like slogans: “I want kids who want to play football and play next to each other. That’s more powerful than any slogan that you can throw out there.”

The Gophers quarterback, senior Mitch Leidner, was asked about being projected as a first-round draft pick by analyst Todd McShay (I’m not kidding): “It would definitely be cool. There’s a lot of people I feel like who have doubted me along the way. A lot of people even in the state of Minnesota. So to be able to do something like that would be definitely very special.”

-The Big Ten Network conducted their annual survey of Big Ten players. Players answers were anonymous and they could not choose their own school for any answer. Maryland was selected as the best helmet (yuck), 11 of 13 players were fans of alternate uniforms and Brutus Buckeye and Sparty tied for best mascot. Surprisingly, Michigan State was chosen as the Big Ten favorite (with four votes). The Iowa Hawkeyes, Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes got two votes apiece and Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue (really?) received one vote each.