WSU Football: Jake Dickert Portland State Week Press Conference | 8/26/24

[Music] um what's the feeling what's the difference around your team the first game week first off I want to say congratulations okay 40 years in this profession um I know congratulations on the voice of the vandals trans you know transition into something else I think it'll be extremely fun so congratulations to you and I know it's your last week uh for us it's it's just so there's so much excitement in the building this morning just knowing it's here you can talk about of being here you can visualize it being here in January you know when you're working out in the snow this is why you do it but to finally be here there's just so much excitement for our team our coaching staff hopefully our University our fan base it's just all coming the sights and sound of football are here and what an opportunity that's afforded to us I've always felt game one is a rules and principles game you know I I don't know what they're going to do right it's a new team it's a new time it's consistent coaching staff but at the end of the day the correct effort and energy and execution on our part always leads to success so that's going to be the focus of the week uh we take down kind of the long extended practices make sure these guys are sharp and we need to Peak at 12:00 come Saturday you talked about being different you don't know what teams are going to do so what is a coach obviously winning but what is a coach looking for out of his team that first game well I think you got to look at our team too as a in a broad sense we have a young team you know we have a lot of new starters at a lot of different positions you know my biggest thing to these guys is going to be go out there and play you've done this a million times I could pull up your high school highlights of every player you've all had success in this game lean on that you know there will be nerves uh but that nerves cannot you know cause tension and lead to hesitation if we play fast we are going to make mistakes that's okay the greatest teams learn from week one to week two I want our guys out there playing at Max Capacity not thinking and making really correct able mistakes I think you get in trouble in game one when you're not communicating you're not playing with great effort you're overthinking the situation there'll be plenty of adjustments going on during the game that's fine okay but that can't control you know in hindering us from playing at Max Capacity U now that we've gotten to the season now and relatively uh quiet compared to last August uh back in July at the media day there was a a saying welcome to the fight you know um what does that mean to you as we go forward into this uh new season for Washington State Football let's send out my second congratulations I'm excited for you Alex obviously you're last week covering here in the media Mecca of Spokan and I'm excited about it you're going to the Midwest Detroit okay obviously uh congratulations to you as well you know I think the biggest thing you know I think that Hall centered around you know we have a year where the spotlight is on us people do want to see what happens to the cougs what happens to the Pack 12 um my mindset to the team and our organization is this we can't worry about all that you know everything since January 1 has been all about us our preparation our mentality and the things that we can really control and I think the rest of it takes care of itself so I think Saturday's the first moment I've talked to our team a lot our identity will be on display right 2023 is wiped if you played in 2022 that is gone this team's identity and blueprint will be on display and that is still yet to be created and I think that's an exciting you know piece for a coach because you think you know what you have you've worked so hard for a desired outcome now see what team you actually have out on that field against a different color jersey so there's a tons of excitement and tons of learns to be had and I'm excited to find out who this team really is then with the first couple of series of the game you know like you said nerves you know can pop up with especially the younger players what are you hoping to see in those first 15 minutes or so I think a level of physicality that we've demanded for the last eight months a level of toughness an execution of finish you know that is what the great teams do you know uh as you're feeling things out and you're sorting through the schematic things that has to be the staple of how we play and we've talked about it so much like I said the identity needs to get to realization you know so we talked about getting everything to application uh that's what we do here that's what coaches are all about trying and find a ways to make sure that we're seeing that through our guys and and just excited for them you know these guys are here for a reason uh we're excited about trying to attempt to go one and0 every week that's our uh Mission and every opportunity demands our best so that's what Saturday is about I guess I'm the only one not getting congratulated today but um coach we've covered the Big Sky for a few years now we've seen Dante Sater have some otherworldly performances um but just from your defense perspective going against a dual threat guy like John every day how much does that you confidence heading into a game against a guy like that well I'll give you some context I have plenty of Connections in the Big Sky um call around about coach barnham and his offensive prowess it's real uh and the way he utilizes his Personnel every year very uniquely you know I got a chance to go up against them in 2021 and they had the quarterback that could throw it all over the place and scramble uh 15 is a unique talent and you can see it in the Oregon game uh how much he plays Off Script uh they really new ized Oregon with the option which can be a whole different deal unbalanced formations trick plays you they try to get the defense on their heels really in everything that they do you know I know 17 you get a chance to see him at tail back too much last year because he got hurt Dynamic with the ball in his hands so uh everyone you talk about when you're talking about this Portland State team well coached disciplined and very creative offensively to get you on your heels and then I know you guys just named your captains last week how much do you think those young guys can lean on those guys heading into this first week especially right around kickoff when when the nerves are maybe a little bit higher yeah and we'll kind of really get into our first captains meeting this week but even for some of those guys it's their first time starting so excited about really the makeup and the mentality of that group and the reason that those six have been named to lead this team is because this logo means something to them and I think we saw that for the last eight months I was beyond convicted to name those six the captains of this football team because they've earned it every day I have a crazy level of trust in those six guys that when things get hard they're going to do what's best for the team and they're going to tell everybody in that locker room what they need to hear and that's exciting for me as a head coach to know that that's happening especially in year three of our program and they're going to drive our culture no excuse me know the the depth chart the two deeps are coming out later today how tough were some of those decisions you know when you're kind of going through and you're thinking about the ores you're thinking about the guys that you're listing the on at twoos obviously knowing guys are still going to play but were there any decisions that really stood out as being extra difficult well to keep you on your toes I think we probably put more Ores than we ever have um I went Mike Leech Style on that one um so it's just one of those things where some of it's still going to be played out and you know not not using this first game as some sort of exhibition game but like guys got to go out there and perform and we're going to evaluate this and I think we got a lot of guys on a similar plane I would say running back I would say say Edge um you know some of the corners like these guys the receivers this stuff has to be sorted out on game day too so the guys that perform have the hot hand will be in there we'll continue to adjust as we go um but there is a starting point I talk only 11 guys can break the Huddle the first time uh that will be a starting point but the 11 guys that finish every week that's a big ass deal so we're going to keep working through that until you list to Heisman finalist as an know I don't know if it's coach leech's level yet that's right um you know kind of again speaking in terms of some past coaches you know coach price would always try and get a second quarterback in for a driver two is there an idea or an attempt to try and get Zevia drive in this game there's only a focus on doing everything we need to do to win and when that time comes he'll be ready he'll be ready the whole season when that time comes right now our focus is John the one offense going out there and Performing for 60 minutes and until we feel like uh you know we need to put Dean we're we're focused on John and what he needs to do to execute for 60 minutes and then outside of uh ly and Carlos everyone expected to be available or anyone going to be out this week um you know we found out last week that Jamari coulson's going to be out for an extended period of time you know so we'll keep you guys updated really as we go through that is that an injury or what's what's his status yeah it's an injury and we'll we'll kind of keep you updated um with John like what do you want to see out of him in his first start yeah I mean you know we'll communicate a lot with John as we go throughout this week there'll be tons of excitement I mean how how do you not right you work your whole life for this big moment um just to play Within himself you know he doesn't need to be anybody else than John mattier and I've told him that a million times that's good enough it really is and if he plays within our system we've surrounded them with a ton of Playmakers to get the ball out and then when it's time to go and be him go do that right so we're going to use Jon and all his strengths and that's running that's throwing that's moving the pocket it's a million different thing so you'll see the complete Arsenal from John mattier game one because we got to see him respond in every area de Mo being out who do you think go or I guess who do you hope will kind of Step Up In This Place well Ethan OK Conor's ready you know I think we've seen that through the course of fall camp and his playmaking ability and is be high but he's still young you know he's a freshman Corner who's going to make mistakes and that's fine uh Steven Hall one of our captains has been an amazing leader for that room and really drives you know all the behaviors that those guys have so uh excited about that and then Warren Smith has got to be ready Jaylen Edmund Kenny worthy guys that have been working their tail off behind the scenes it's just another example you never know when your number is going to be called obviously last year from game number one even being a transfer Kyle Williams came out and it seemed like the connection was there right away how have you kind of seen between him and Jon that connection develop up until now and where do you expect it to be in game number one well it was good to see Saturday you know I know the media wasn't there we did a mock game and those guys hit on a couple big deep balls I know it's against Scouts but the Rhythm the timing the visualization of seeing it happening uh is a really positive thing and I think those guys have worked extremely hard together you know in the summer when it wasn't you know structured practices to make sure they're on Rhythm and on timing and we use Kyle in a very different role than he was just last year he won't just be sitting out at ex receiver and I think that's exciting for him and John and you know Kyle's our greatest playmaker we got to find ways to get him the ball but his greatest strength is the vertical stretch game it just is and we need to utilize that strength in many different ways against all kinds of different matchups so excited about the chemistry that those guys have put together um but as far as a whole offensive unit and wide receiver crew you know we still got work to do to make sure that we're executing uh the way we need to be to win and then obviously you know as a player especially those that are new go into another year you expect to see more development better connection but with um coaches and specifically you know offensive and defensive coordinator Ben and Jeff how have you kind of seen that full off season that extra year now here at Washington State um maybe help improve communication there or your even your relationship with them no I think that's a really great question and it's really true you know I think Ben has really grown as a coordinator I think he's really grown as a leader and I think you can only get that type of growth through some hard times you know there were some times we underachieved last year and I think it allowed us to take a step back see where we need to get better at and he's responded every step of the way I'm really proud of him because I think as a coach we have the same Choice the player has to make when you don't get what you want so been proud of him as a leader how thorough we've been to this and every game plan has been really exciting to see I think coach Caster has been just phenomenal for Coach Arbuckle and what he's really brought to the table and I think Jeff's more comfortable with our system and what we're asking them to do I think anytime you come in not that running someone else's system but you kind of are and now that you understand the ins and outs of it all the checks the balances the corrections for different things I just think it makes you as a play caller way more convicted in what you're doing and I think you'll see that in our players this year what's kind of the message you have kind of for the fan base to to come out I mean obviously you want him at every game maybe even more so this year as you guys are kind of trying to prove a point and as you said kind of um you know Embrace that fight what's kind of the message to the the fans to come out on Saturday I expect to sell out you know and the reason the reason I say that is is to is Toof full we get six games a year that our fans get to come out and celebrate this team you know because it's been a year Jamie it's been a year right and I've you know spent a year you know seeing people on Twitter complain right that does nothing showing up investing being in the seats being there for four quarters that's how you show the appreciation for our players staying here for that logo that's what it means to them right these guys could have went anywhere during all this chaos and they're here for the coug for the team for the fan base it's a call to the students that's the place to be on Saturday at 12:00 pack your side be loud uh and everyone else season ticket holders be there this is exciting brand of football this is a new team we need you so who are we as a f base we can't pick and choose okay I know everyone's excited about the tech game but there's a big game before that and it's Portland State at noon this week so we don't leave the state of Washington for the first four games what an opportunity as a coug to be here and do something special and it starts with Portland State it does and that's a challenge to everybody we'll learn a lot about our people our fans um at this time after the game on Saturday is uh Le still looking like a week two at this point right now um just got some positive news about him kind of passing uh the final uh step uh in his rehab process but I want to pump the brakes right it'll be a process to get him back but this is a big moment okay so he kind of gets mostly the all clear U I would say it's more like a two- we progression more towards the uh Apple Cup game and even then it'll be at some sort of limited capacity as we build him back in I'm in charge of his future I've told him that every time but this is a major step in his return and just seeing old 79 out there in his pths doing team he going to lift my spirits I know that right so his teammates will feel the same way and just really excited for that kid because he's put in a ton of work and has ton of has had ton of adversity through his career here and he's ready to capitalize and and we did the right thing for him and his team by getting this really taken care of um but just such exciting news that he can kind of really start that progression back but I would say more targeted for the apple cup