dcurbansports: You got your first win of the season having struggled early on.
Talk about the win and what that meant to the team.
Coach Bailey: “Early on we struggled a bit in terms of getting the guys
acclimated to the offense and defense and the execution of the new style, but we came together and had an overtime win against
Virginia State. The kicker made a kick in overtime.”
"I was more or less happy for the kids, 'cause as soon as that clock went on zero we started thinking about the next
game which was with Cheney (State). So I treat win and loses the same. You enjoy
them or you lament over them and you get ready for the next one.”
Speaking of Cheney State, you guys
won that one 41-14. Does that set the tone for the upcoming homecoming game?
Coach Bailey: "It does, just with the understanding of all the things surrounding
homecoming, and all the excitement and potential distractions for the students. But
it’s an opportunity for us to perform in front of a large crowd. I know
the kids are excited about it.”
“From a coach’s stand point you really
just approach each game the same way. You don’t really want to put more
emphasis or less emphasis on any one game or opponent. You just go out and perform to the best of your ability.”
On Morgan State:
You played Morgan State last week, and lost. You played Morgan State in last year’s homecoming, and also lost. What is it about Morgan State that Howard can’t get past?
Coach Bailey: “I
don’t think it’s so much about Morgan State as it is about Howard.
"And make no mistake, on paper the best team is the team that is number one in rushing defense, number one in
rushing offense. Number one in turn over margin.
Those are the things you need to do to be successful."
"But we left seven points on the field with two missed
field goals, a missed extra point, as well as a dropped interception where our corner had about 80 yards in front of him by
himself. So, potentially thirteen points were left on the field. to where now
if we make those kicks we don’t go into overtime and we win the ballgame.So, again the situation was not so much about them doing anything special; it’s what we did
not do.”
On preparing for homecoming
What are you and team doing to prepare for
tomorrow’s homecoming?
Coach Bailey: “We
pretty much approach practice the same way. Spend more time on the kicking game.
Our punt return needs to improve as we’ve had a lapse in field goal attempts.”
Winning is definitely a team effort, but who do you say are the stand out guys on the team this season?
Coach Bailey: "Brian
Johnson, he’s our quarterback. He’s leading the conference in passing
efficiency. He’s second in the league for points accounted, and is doing
a fabulous job as a senior."
"Jarahn Williams, wide receiver. I think he caught a touch down in every
game this year. He missed last season with
ankle or knee injury, but is having a phenomenal season this year."
"Terry Perry, running back. Last week he had 100 yards
rushing. He’s also an all American defensive end."
On North Carolina A&T (2007 Homecoming opponent)
Who do you think you need to look out for on their team?
Coach Bailey: “Everyone. They have an extended losing streak right now, but when you watch the film you don’t
see a team that plays as if they are 0-7. They’re a team that is still hungry for a win.
They play hard. They play fast. When you have a team like this, if you
give them any reason to feel good about themselves, they have a tendency to gain confidence.”
Do you have
any predictions on the score?
Coach Bailey: “No. I
don’t make predictions.” (laughing)
Why not?
Coach Bailey: “If
I could make predictions I’d have won Powerball.” (laughing)
What do you think you bring to the Howard Bison
organization?
Coach Bailey: “I’m a strict disciplinarian. I just believe in the fact of making people do it right. We’re going to do it until its done right. I just
think if you can create a disciplined environment off the field, then the on-the-field things usually take care of themselves.
"We have a great coaching staff. We have guys who have played in the League; we have guys who have won championships, and guys who are great
communicators and excellent teachers. And the thing about it is we’re all
young enough to where we can still relate, but we’re experienced enough to where we’ve pretty much seen it all
in terms of the changes in the game, and what not."
What music do you listen to get hyped for games?
Coach Bailey: “When
I was an assistant coach I had a raw mix tape of Young Jeezy (laughing), and I would listen to that before the game. As an assistant coach, especially as an offensive line coach you have to be off kilter
a little bit, but becoming a head coach I either listen to Teena Marie, or Al Green just to get mellowed out. As the head
coach I Iisten to music that mellows me out.”
Would you say that’s the opposite of
what your players listen to?
Coach Bailey: “Oh
yeah, definitely. They probably listen to everything under the sun. But what’s surprising is that we had a kid who actually listened to Midnight Starr.”
What expectations do you have for the team,
going forward, and how do you think you’ll achieve them?
Coach Bailey: “We always want to win games, of course. But we want to play in the championship, and then the national championship. And that’s going to happen with recruiting.”
“Coaches coach games, but players win games.
So it’s a matter of continuing to improve, and bringing quality athletes to Howard to play championship football.”
