Florida assistants, players speak to media prior to Citrus Bowl vs. Michigan

Florida offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, along with defensive end Jonathan Bullard and tight end Jake McGee, spoke to the media on Wednesday prior to their Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan on New Year’s Day.

Here’s the full transcript of the press conference, provided by Florida Citrus Sports:

OPENING STATEMENTS

COACH NUSSMEIER: I’ll tell you what, it’s been a great week. I can’t thank the Citrus Bowl enough for just the outstanding accommodations and the people of Orlando, how we have been embraced. Our kids are just having a wonderful time. Thank Dr. Phillips’ high school for giving us an opportunity to work there. It’s just great when you get an opportunity to see your team this late in the season practice and get better every day and watch the guys fly around and see the excitement to play in this type of bowl game. Our kids are very, very excited, and we’re just blessed and feel fortunate to be here to represent the University of Florida.

COACH COLLINS: To echo Doug’s statements, it’s been a great environment. This is my first time playing in the Citrus Bowl so I’m excited about it. Great opportunity. It’s been a great time spending time with our kids, our players at the amusement parks, and different activities that we’ve done around the hotel. And getting the young guys a lot of work for the first two weeks of bowl prep has been invaluable to get ready also for next season and some of the guys that get red-shirted to see how they’ve developed during the season and where we can kind of place them going forward. But, you know, just excited. Another chance, another opportunity to play on New Year’s Day and couldn’t be more blessed.

Q&A SESSION

Q. Geoff, can you talk about coming into a situation where the defense had been so good for so long and trying to keep it going in the right direction, how you guys meshed? And, Jon, can you also talk about that, having a new coordinator come in and how well you guys were able to mesh?

COACH COLLINS: Sure will. The first thing, you know, obviously, we knew coming in, we inherited a great group of defensive players. And our first unit meeting that we had — and when you’re playing at such a high level, an elite level in defense, it’s our job  we can’t change everything nor do we want to. But how to we find an extra ten percent improvement, situational football, turnover, sudden change, whatever it may be, you know, sacks, whatever that may be, and how can we improve those little things that can take us to the championship level? And, you know, to these guys’ credit, they bought in. We said that, you know, we chose you. Jon didn’t necessarily choose us. But the way their mindset was, the way their attitude was, you saw that improvement across the board and, you know, kept us as an elite defense.

Just to brag on Jon real quick before we move on, Jon Bullard is the poster child for the guy — how you handle a situation like this, how you handle a transition. Also being a premier player last year’s junior year, you know, I’m sure you wrested with the decision to come back or to leave. But the things that he did in the off-season, the things that he did throughout the year to make himself one of the best players in college football, tackles for loss, sacks, just the impact that he had on every game, you know, you don’t see guys do that a lot. And I just think it’s a credit to him and his character, his work ethic and, you know, I think what he has done has made our defense what it has been this year.

BULLARD: I think they did a good job of coming in right away and kind of working around us in the sense of not changing a lot. I mean, we added a few extra things or maybe terminology that’s a little different but, you know, Lou’s already a pretty good defense so I think he did a pretty good job of keeping everyone comfortable right away, not coming in and try to break us or making a lot of different changes in general. So I think that’s a big thing that helped us to become so tight so fast was because of the way they came in and the way that they wanted to do things. I think a lot of coaches come in and say we’ve got to break this guy or a big name like me at the time try to show that they’ve got power, and they didn’t do that. They got everybody to buy in. And I bought in early so I can get some of the young guys to do it and I think that’s where some of our success came from.

Q. Coach Nussmeier, maybe Jake a little bit, too. What kind of answers do you think you’ve maybe found here during these past couple few weeks on the offensive side of the ball, and maybe what do you attribute some of the struggles late in the season to?

COACH NUSSMEIER: We’re very young. You can’t say enough about Jake when you talk about the difference in the defensive side of the ball and the offensive side of the ball, and we can’t say enough about how our team plays as a team. And the defense really — the veteran leadership that we have on that side of the ball. We don’t have nearly as many on offense. And those guys have embraced our side of the ball too. You watch the way that guys like Jonathan and Jake and our veteran players, how they practice. It’s meant a lot to our younger players. The thing that we found over the last half of the season, we’ve got a lot of growth. We need to grow. And a lot of young guys are playing and we’re expecting a lot from the older players like Jake to bring those guys along and it’s a learning curve. Every day is new. The biggest thing is we’ve got to improve every day and days we have, days we haven’t. And that’s the thing, to find consistency in performance to try to improve each day.

McGEE: Really, just the practices where we weren’t really there, where we were watching from outside or the other field, you really saw what the next sort of future is capable of, and you see new leadership step up and it’s something that it’s nice to set sort of like the blueprint for what they’re able to do and sort of for myself took it as a big role. I want to try to show the ropes the right way to lead in offense and the right way to bring guys with you, and hopefully I was able to leave an impression on guys to sort of take into the future.

Q. What’s the dynamic going to be like for you in this game, given you were on the other sideline, so to speak, a season ago?

COACH NUSSMEIER: I’ve got a lot of respect, obviously, for their program and their players. I love those kids in that locker room, obviously. I want Florida to win this game and I’m on Florida’s team and I love our players and are excited about the opportunity. But there’s a lot of great kids in their locker room. Looking forward to, you know, competing against that defense that we competed against every day in practice last year and getting an opportunity to play against them in a game.

Q. Isn’t it a little odd, though?

COACH NUSSMEIER: Not really. That’s football, you know. I think the players see it, too. They play with guys in high school. You look across the depth charts of teams. There’s kids from Florida on Michigan’s team. There’s kids from Michigan on Florida’s team. A lot of these guys have played against each other and with each other in high school. I think the more and more you see in the all-star games and those types of things, you’re going to see kids that played with or against each other in high school. They get opportunities to play against each other at the next level, and I just think it’s great. It’s a great opportunity to play against people you know.

Q. Along those same lines, when you look at Michigan’s D coach, when you look at Michigan’s D compared to what you saw last year, where do you see the improvement? And even with individual players have you seen improvement on film?

COACH NUSSMEIER: Well, obviously, their numbers speak for themselves. They’re an outstanding defense. They’re top five in every about every major category. The great thing about us, when we get to practice against our defense, so that helps to prepare us. They’re playing extremely hard, obviously, and doing a great job on third down getting off the field. And they get off the field and they do a good job of putting, you know, pressure on you upfront from the different fronts they present to you, and they move around a little bit and their front four is getting after it. They’re really good defense. Joe has a lot of starts inside. He’s the guy that gets them lined up knows what’s going on, so they’re a really good defense.

Q. This is for Jake. Virginia bowl games were kind of uncharted territory, and now you’re here at Florida. You’re in a bowl game. You came back the extra year. When you look back at it, coming back the extra year, how much was it worth it to be able to have that extra year and to have the experience that you never had when you were at Virginia?

McGEE: Yeah, just for personal development-wise, this year has been a big thing for me just recovering from the injury and being in an offense that really fits what I can do and sort of what my strengths are as a player. It’s really asked me to do a lot, and I really think it — I was able to improve a lot as a player for coming back off of what happened, and it’s something that just — I really think I was able to continue to grow my game and really step up at other parts, sort of being at a new school and taking a leadership role and just sort of improving on the small things and trying to become the best player I can.

Q. This is for Doug. Just so happens, I guess it’s ironic you’re going to call plays against Greg Mattison after coaching with him last year. Did you develop much of a relationship with Greg last year at all? Do you guys keep in touch at all now?

COACH NUSSMEIER: We do. We do. And, obviously, got a lot of respect for Greg, outstanding football coach, you know. And, obviously, you look at the success of the defense, obviously he’s played a big role in that. Obviously, he’ll have a little familiarity with me and I will with him. So looking forward to it.

Q. This is for Doug and Jake. You mentioned the inexperience of the offense a little bit, the youth there. Is it a little added importance in getting an early start now with some of those inexperienced guys and get the motor going in the first and second quarter before halftime?

McGEE: Yeah. You really — at this point, I don’t think — guys have had a full season. So it’s at the point where if you’re in there, you need to be ready to go and sort of step up from the beginning. I think everybody’s mindset is to come out fast on whatever team you’re on and it shouldn’t really matter if for me that’s in year six or for a guy that’s in year one. You need to be ready to go if you’re on the field.

Q. The way things ended at Michigan and your departure, were you surprised at the opportunity that you had to go back to the SEC and how quickly you landed on your feet, and how did that unfold?

COACH NUSSMEIER: I didn’t know I got knocked down first, you know. Shoot, you know, I had a great time in Michigan. Obviously, you know, the season didn’t go the way we wanted to. But that’s football, you know. And when you’re around this business long enough and you see the ups and downs and the ins and outs, you live day to day and you focus on each snap, each drive, each quarter. And, obviously, I’m very, very excited to be a part of the Florida Gators and looking forward to the game.

Q. This one is for Coach Collins. Coach Collins, you guys have done a real good job limiting tight ends. How are you game planning against Jake Butt?

COACH COLLINS: The kid’s a great player. He kind of reminds us of Jake McGee, a big, physical, athletic kid, great route runner, big target for him on third downs and in the red zone. I think they’ve scored like 46 of 49 trips into the red zone, which in and of itself is very impressive. Really good player. We’ve seen some guys playing in this league. You’re going to see talented tight ends. And the kid creates a kind of a matchup issue. You know, is he too big for a safety to play on him? Is he too fast for certain line backers to play on him? So you have to make decisions against a kid like that, kind of like teams have to do when they’re playing against Jake. But he’s an impressive kid. The quarterback has done a great job, especially the second half of the season. I think he’s completing like 70 percent of his balls. We’re well-versed in how talented and how balanced this offense is. And the tight end, obviously, is the big start for that.

Q. Want to ask each of you about Coach McElwain. Obviously, we got to hear from the players all year about what’s it like to play for him. What’s it like for you guys coach with him? I’ll start with you, Geoff. You were his first hire. What does that mean to you for him to put that faith in you, and you to be able to work that defense for him?

COACH COLLINS: I can’t say enough about him. I aspire, you know, one day to be a head coach sooner or later. It doesn’t matter. But every single day that I come to work for and learn from a man like Jim McElwain, it’s awesome. The way he handles the players, the way he handles situations, ups, downs, highs and lows, you know, whatever it is. But my favorite thing about him is he’s a real guy. He’s a great head football coach. You know, he knows what he’s doing offensively, defensively, special teams. But the way he manages people, the way he extracts with our players, the staff, the grounds crew, whoever it is, he’s him. And, you know, I think that’s one of the biggest lessons for me. I’ve been fortunate to be around some great head coaches in my career. But the little intricacies that Jim McElwain brings personality-wise and explaining the why to our players, not just you do this because I told you to do this. Here is why we are doing this today, here’s why this schedule is changed, here’s why. The why makes everybody feel at ease and know there’s a reason for the things that we do. And I just think day in and day out, getting to learn from a head coach like that, you know, is going to carry me through my career and I think it’s impacting our kids’ lives, our coaches’ family’s lives, all those things. That’s a great question. Thank you.

COACH NUSSMEIER: To reiterate what Geoff said, what he said. But it’s the environment he creates, the structure, the focus, and the ability to bring people from all unique different backgrounds together to focus on one common goal. I think he does an exceptional job of that.

Q. This is for both Doug and for Geoff. You guys — some of you had worked together before. I’m talking about the offensive side, inside the ball, the assistance. Some of you had worked together before. Some of you it was the first time you really had crossed paths. Was there kind of a defining moment when you realized, hey, I’ve got a pretty good staff here? These are good guys to work with? Was there kind of a moment like that where you realized that you really had put together a good staff here?

COACH COLLINS: Actually, Doug and I got to be fairly close. Never worked together before. When he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama, I was the defensive coordinator in Mississippi State. There were some battles that we had. Unfortunately, they came out on top the times we played. But the mutual respect that you gain for competing and going against someone’s schematically, you know, how they move pieces around of the puzzle to create matchups like they do with Jake, obviously. So then you get to be in there day to day with them, and the biggest thing and the common thread — going back to Coach McElwain, the common thread that you’ll find amongst our staff, whether it be administrative role or a coaching staff role, they’re good people. They care about each other. They don’t have any hidden agendas. We’re all on the same team. You know, I think you watch us. You know, let’s say there is a turnover, our offense gives us a turnover, our guys love our offensive players so much and the offensive staff so much, put the ball down and let’s play. Whatever situation we’re put in, it’s our job to give them the ball back because we know they’re going to do something special with it. And we went through spring and the summer and you start forming those bonds. I think it’s special. And the season that we ended up having last year — or this year, excuse me  the season we had this year and continuing forward is because we’re close in the relationships that we do have.

COACH NUSSMEIER: Yeah. I think some of the coaches you’ve worked with before, we both have worked with guys in the defensive room or offensive room and then, like I say, you cross paths. This isn’t a large profession, so to say, and you cross a lot of paths and you meet people. And you can get a feel real quickly as a staff starts to get assembled on what type of staff it is and what type of people are involved, and I think that’s why we have such a strong staff. There was a lot of guys that were interested in being part of that common, you know, goal and that group.

Q. Jonathan, let’s hear from you. This game sold out in 24 hours. There will be a lot of orange, and I’ll call it Gator blue in the stands tomorrow — or Friday. When you’re wearing those colors and you see those colors when you come out, what does that do to get you and your teammates ready?

BULLARD: It means a lot for that to happen so fast. I love Florida. It was a school that I’ve always been interested in ever since I was younger and thought I was going to play basketball instead of football. But just running out there and seeing the fans, most of all, seeing my parents come from North Carolina and my family is big for me. This was my last season. And my mom missed some games a couple years ago. She was working or whatever. But this year she did whatever she had to do to be able to come to my games and just knowing that she’s out there somewhere, ’cause I usually can’t find her, but that means a lot. And just the support we get running out. And I know it’s going to be like a home game for us tomorrow, and this will be my last home.

Q. For both players, Jon, have you had any time to reflect on your decision to come back this week as you’ve had some time to prepare for this game, and what do you think it would mean to run out one more time?

BULLARD: Yeah. I think it’s the best decision I made in my life. You know, last year I thought about coming out with the coaching change and, you know, you hear things about how that’s going to be and you have to learn new things. But, you know, I buckled down. Me and my family made a decision to come back, and I think it was a great decision. I’m playing the best ball I’ve played since I’ve been here. They’ve put me in good positions to make plays and be the guy to step up when needed to. It’s going to be real special to run out with the team one more time.

Q. (Inaudible) your last game or have you found a loophole for a seventh year?

McGEE: I think this is it for me. But the thing that’s really meant the most to me is just coming and transferring in, the way that I was embraced and the way that the guys sort of took me in. And it feels like Jon and Trip, Antonio Morris, that I’ve been with them for really the whole time. So that’s something that speaks to the culture that’s here. And it really is a family environment when you are able to show that you belong and that you have their best interest as well. That’s really been the most memorable thing for me.

Q. Yeah. Geoff, I know you — coming in the season, the goal was to be the best defense in the nation. You guys certainly made a claim to maybe being that. What has been the common thread of this unit to let it elevate itself to this level?

COACH COLLINS: I said earlier, it all starts with the players. The thing that I tell them almost before every game, we’re going to make some good calls; we’re going to make some bad calls. But the magic is in our players. The magic is how fast they run to the ball, the attitude they have when they take the field, all those kind of things. And I think the impressive thing about them is that when they’re playing, they’re playing as one. I think Kirk Herbstreit gave out an award each week. He gives out an individual award. And one of the biggest compliments all season was when he gave an award, an individual award, to Florida’s defense. I thought that was the biggest compliment you can have because our guys, led by Jon, play as one. They take the field together. They get the call together. They communicate with each other. And then they fly around, make plays, try to get the ball out. If they’re in third down, they understand it’s a money-down situation. We’ve got to get off the field. I think Jon and them are leading the country in sacks on third down. Those are the things that are impressive, is how they play as one. Whatever happens with injuries throughout the season, whoever is in the game, they understand Jon and Antonio and pulling those guys have set a standard in our room. They set a standard, this is how you’re going to play defense at the University of Florida. Whoever is in the game, that’s what you’re going to do. And I think it carries over, you know, with those guys, and I think that’s probably one of the reasons why our group has played so well most of the season.

Q. And, Jon, first off, Jake, I don’t think, was buying your basketball skills down here. He’s rolling his eyes a bit here. So best defense in the nation. Michigan yesterday was saying it wants to come out and show it’s a better defense too. You guys are both top five units. Do you take that as a little bit of a challenge coming into this game?

BULLARD: Not really. We’re just going to go out and show tomorrow what we can do. That’s how they’re supposed to feel being the competitor because we feel the same way. But it’s really more about going out and showing it and not really talking about it. That’s a goal within us but, you know, we don’t really go out, you know, talking about it much. But we’re going to show tomorrow or whenever the game is, we’re going to show that we are the best.

Q. Jon, can you talk about — you were talking about keeping things similar, but one thing that was different was the money downs. The first time you saw those guys jumping around with that sign, I’m just curious what your thoughts were.

BULLARD: It definitely brings excitement to it. It was something he changed a little bit that I liked a lot. It was one of the biggest things to get the guys going. When you’re in the swamp and the music comes on, you know, we got a lot of guys that like to dance. I’m not really a dancer, but you get a rhythm going and you got all your teammates and the guys who are not playing, the walk-ons or the back-ups on the sideline cheering us on just like they’re out there. That means a lot. And look on the side and see a money down, that’s a team goal but that’s also something that reminds you right then and there to give it your all because you’re always on film. We all play this game to get to the next level. Third down is a big way of — you know, if you can be a good pass rusher, get to the quarterback or cause havoc, that’s going to help you in the long run to get the money sign of what he got. That’s a little way that he threw out there of a kind of self goal. It’s a team goal but also a self individual that everybody out there sees that money sign. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re trying to go get at the next level.

Talal Elmasry

Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.