Just 26 Days Until the Buckeyes Kick off the 1999 Season – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/3/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 3, 1999
CHICAGO, Ill. – Ohio State head coach John Cooper addressed about 350 members of the local, regional and national media at the Big Ten Conferences annual media day, Monday, Aug. 2, at the Chicago Sheraton hotel. Below are excerpts and quotes from OSUs 12th-year head coach, the dean of the Big Ten coaches and the sixth-winningest active collegiate head coach.
Opening Remarks
“We lost more key players last year than any other season since I have been here at Ohio State. We lost our entire passing game when you consider that we lost our starting quarterback, both receivers and tight end. Our strength this year will be in our running backs and we will have to rely on the running game. Michael Wiley is coming off a 1,300-yard season and Jonathan Wells has a chance to be an outstanding player for us. Plus I really like Derek Combs and Jerry Westbrooks, and fullback Matt Keller is a good blocker, pass catcher and runner.
“I like the offensive linemen we have returning [the starters are guard Ben Gilbert, tackle Tyson Walter and center Kurt Murphy] and we are going to need guys like Tam Hopkins, LeCharles Bentley, Mike Gurr and Henry Fleming to step up and help us have a line like were used to having at Ohio State University.”
The Quarterback Issue
“I dont know who will be our starting quarterback, but whoever is will be expected to win. Austin Moherman does a good job running the offense and with the passing game and Steve Bellisari is an outstanding athlete. We may play both players early in the year and then decide. It may not be until the Big Ten season [Oct. 2 vs. Wisconsin is OSUs first Big Ten game) before we are settled on a starter. The fact we didnt play a spring game in Ohio Stadium and in front of 40,000 fans leaves us not knowing how either will perform before a crowd. I dont want to play two quarterbacks like we have in the past, but if it helps us win ball games we will do it. We went through spring drills with two quarterbacks. The guys got plenty of repetitions and they each got better. “
Talking Defense
“Our line will be the strength of the defense. We return everyone on the line – tackles Joe Brown and Ryan Pickett and ends Brent Johnson and Rodney Bailey – and this will be a strong area for us.
“We also return two-year starters and outstanding football players in free safety Gary Berry and cornerback Ahmed Plummer. We have to replace All-American Damon Moore and Thorpe Award winner Antoine Winfield, and if I had to guess right now sophomore Nate Clements would play cornerback and Percy King would be our strong safety.”
The Dean of the Big Ten
“Ive never doubted that Ohio State is a great place to be and that we would get the job done here. Stability has really helped us.”
Preseason (and thus 12th) Games
“I like the 12th game because it gives great exposure, added income to your athletic program and it allows for more practice time.”
The Big Ten Conference
“I think the Big Ten Conference will be as tough as any time Ive been in the Big Ten.”
1998 Bowl Championship Series Frustration?
“The BCS was good for college football last year. I am in favor of a one-game playoff or really any playoff. I wouldnt mind seeing the top eight teams play in a playoff. I did think that we were as good as any team I saw play last year.”
Ohio State as the 1990s Most Decorated Team
“It helps us. High school football players want to be recognized, play in front of sellout crowds, win awards, make all-Big Ten Conference or All-American teams and have a chance to go to the NFL. Every high school player thinks hell play in the NFL someday. We dont discourage that.”
Coaching
“I want to coach as long as Im having fun, Im healthy and we are winning football games.”
-GO BUCKS!-
