Spring Football Entry (Updated 1:45pm)

'09 Football43

So many good things keep hitting that we have to keep adding to this entry.

After the misery that was much of basketball season, spring brings renewed hope to NC State fans in the form of the off-season football practices that will lay down much of the foundation of this fall’s squad.

850 The Buzz interviewed Coach O’Brien today and posted an audio link. It’s a good listen.

Similarly, Sports Illustrated has a FANTASTIC article focusing on Russell Wilson that you can read by clicking here.

An article on WRAL Sports talks about how NC State head coach Tom O’Brien plans to use the sessions as a platform for competition:

When asked about Mike Glennon’s status, O’Brien said, “I hope he competes for the job and tries to take it away from Russell (Wilson).”

That will be easier said than done, considering Wilson made first-team all-ACC as a freshman quarterback.

But Wilson is injured – a sprained knee suffered in the PapaJohns.com bowl – and he has yet to be cleared for full contact drills, although that could come as soon as next week.

In other news, Jamelle Eugene has a shoulder injury and will miss spring practice, but Toney Baker is fully cleared for all drills.

Practices start in three days — March 20th. You can view Coach O’Brien’s Organizational/Depth Chart by clicking here.

The Sporting News had a pretty comprehensive article yesterday about Wilson & Glennon.

“I hope (Glennon) competes for the job and tries to take it away from Russell,” O’Brien said. “Nobody better think they’re starters because nobody owns the jersey. North Carolina State owns the jersey. … They have to earn it. If Glennon has that ‘potential’ tag — that dangerous tag, which means you haven’t done anything yet — he’ll certainly have his opportunities.

“It became pretty obvious to us (last season) that our choice was going to be Glennon or Wilson coming into the fall,” he added. “Russell ended up winning that competition then, but he’s the incumbent because it’s his job. But Michael Glennon wants to take it away from him.”

'09 Football

43 Responses to Spring Football Entry (Updated 1:45pm)

  1. Packman02 03/17/2009 at 9:00 AM #

    Football…a new hope. The quote from TOB regarding the intensity he expects to envelope the QB competition is further validation that he is, in fact, the man. Hope for a speedy recovery for Eugene and for Toney Baker to approach this season with something huge to prove (think he will).

    There’s also been some interesting shuffling along the OL – ‘course, there was some interesting shuffling last year, and I think that worked out pretty well…

  2. choppack1 03/17/2009 at 9:02 AM #

    Compare this w/our basketball program.

    In our football program, we have a first team All-ACC QB, a fantastic leader who produces on and off the field, whose told he will have to fight for his starting job.

    OTOH, in basketball, we have player (or players) – whom people accuse of loafing – yet they are allowed to keep their starting position – even though they aren’t playing at an all-conference level.

    Quite a stark contrast.

  3. old13 03/17/2009 at 9:03 AM #

    I just have to wonder how long it will take Foulup and tne NC Legislature and College Athletics Directors to reduce Wolfpack football to the level of an almost-competitive high school program.

  4. BJD95 03/17/2009 at 9:30 AM #

    Ah, football. I have a feeling we will enjoy the rest of O’Brien’s coaching run immensely. It’s nice to have a program run by someone that we can all have 100% confidence in.

  5. codebrown 03/17/2009 at 9:34 AM #

    Great quote from TOB.

  6. WilmingtonWolf05 03/17/2009 at 9:37 AM #

    Can we send Fowler to the University of Phoenix and bring in someone like Charlie Cobb?

    I’m honestly starting to get worried that he will really screw up the one area of progress that we have…football.

  7. choppack1 03/17/2009 at 9:49 AM #

    Also, I think we should all take note of another item.

    Clearly, TOB made a decision to sacrifice short term results for the long haul. It’s evident from his comments that Glennon was clearly the second best QB on our roster last year, but he chose to redshirt him rather than burn a redshirt.

    I think that RW was probably at least the second best QB on our roster in 2007.

    Once again, though, he opted at what he believes is the better path long term for the program and the player.

  8. Classof89 03/17/2009 at 10:01 AM #

    I just have to wonder how long it will take Foulup and tne NC Legislature and College Athletics Directors to reduce Wolfpack football to the level of an almost-competitive high school program.

    Take it from an insider–I can tell you first hand that the NC Legislature doesn’t give a hoot about NC State football.

  9. RickJ 03/17/2009 at 10:22 AM #

    I am excited as can be about our football program but it is the last hope for our athletic program. We are a loss to South Carolina & Pitt in September to putting a final nail in the coffin.

  10. zahadum 03/17/2009 at 10:22 AM #

    Anyone know why T. J Graham is out?

  11. TOBtime 03/17/2009 at 10:25 AM #

    The best part was what he said about the jerseys. No one OWNS them, they belong to NC State. You may have been fortunate enough to be recruited and get a scholarship to play football at NC State but you will STILL compete and be expected to grow and improve. If you are a prima donna and expect life to be handed to you then you need to transition on over to chapel hole. Stars count over there.

  12. Pack Leader 03/17/2009 at 10:27 AM #

    I will go out on a limb and say TOB is the only coach at NC State that I have any confidence will improve his team each and every season….

    Our Oline is growing more and more but you can clearly see a concious effort to beef it up every single recruiting class.

    Basketball refrence: Does anyone in their
    right mind think if John Wall came to State, Lowe would welcome and incourage a position battle as fierce as the one Wilson and Glennon have. Their is clearly no anomosity, just a desire to win and play. EXACTLY the way it is sopose to happen.

    GOD BLESS TOB

  13. Sweet jumper 03/17/2009 at 10:31 AM #

    TOB is a damn good coach. NCSU and Foulup were very fortunate that he fell into our laps. I love his point that NCSU owns the jerseys and the players earn the right to wear them. No one is entitled to a uniform that doesn’t earn it, and the privilege of wearing that uniform is not a given once you make the team. You have to earn it every day. TOB is man enough to tell a player when he is not cutting it. Wolfpack football is very fortunate to have him. Wilson and Glennon will be just fine with their coach’s decision and so will I.

  14. whitefang 03/17/2009 at 10:45 AM #

    Could TOB coach basketball in his spare time?

  15. old13 03/17/2009 at 11:36 AM #

    ^ I’d rather he be AD in his spare time. Then BB and the rest of Pack athletics would take care of themselves!

  16. Noah 03/17/2009 at 11:39 AM #

    The good news is that Lee Fowler will not really be involved in the hiring of the next coach.

    The bad news is that I think it’s safe to assume that if everyone already knows who is being groomed for the job…O’Brien probably isn’t going to be here for as long as we’d like.

  17. TOBtime 03/17/2009 at 12:02 PM #

    DO we know Noah? Is that person on staff? If TOB leaves it seems he would take the bulk of the staff with him as when he left BC. If we keep him 5 more years I’ll be in awe.

  18. WTNY 03/17/2009 at 12:10 PM #

    TOBTime — My guess is that TOB’s next destination is the beach rather than another coaching job. I don’t know how long TOB will stay – I’m hoping at least five more years. He will be 60 this year I believe.

  19. ApexPack 03/17/2009 at 12:18 PM #

    I think TOB wants to leave a lasting legacy, and to achieve that he needs to win a couple of ACC titles and put us in the running for a National Title. That was not going to happen at BC. I think he believes the necessary ingredients were and are here to achieve those goals. Provided he stays in good health, I think he is here for at least another 8-10 years.

  20. buttPACKer 03/17/2009 at 12:22 PM #

    Yeah, I think NC State is TOB’s last coaching gig. . . When he leaves, it won’t be for another school, but rather his beach house in Charleston.

  21. Pack Leader 03/17/2009 at 12:30 PM #

    “The bad news is that I think it’s safe to assume that if everyone already knows who is being groomed for the job…O’Brien probably isn’t going to be here for as long as we’d like.”

    What did you mean by that Noah?? before i accuse or assume anything. I dont see TOB leaving for another school in the confrence, i dont see him leaving to go to a smaller school or smaller confrence. so that leaves the SEC or USC…… and i can go ahead and rule out USC (southern cal) so unless a high profile SEC confrence runs him out of raleigh, I dont see anything that could buy his intrest out of here…..

  22. ktoh 03/17/2009 at 12:32 PM #

    Great to hear,see what you get if you have someone who actually not only has experience coaching,but also success coaching!
    And to think he is doing this without all his own players.

  23. McPete 03/17/2009 at 12:44 PM #

    Pack Leader,
    i believe he means retire earlier than we’d (state fans) prefer. and i’m pretty sure Dana Bible is the guy who’d be the next HC.

  24. Pack Leader 03/17/2009 at 12:55 PM #

    I dont believe we would promote with in the current staff unless we win a championship and our coaching staff becomes a very hot item. Right now i firmly believe if TOB left today, we could go out and hire a better head coach than one of our assistats, no offense to them. There is a difference in assistant coach and head coach, ask Norm Chow, Monte Kiffin or anyother high figure assis.

    Luckly This is not a problem for us right now… the futue looks bright….

  25. Pack Leader 03/17/2009 at 12:59 PM #

    Off topic even more but Ive heard Dana Bibles son (rising junior at ?wakefeild?) is going to be a top notch qb when he becomes a senior. He earned the starting job as a soph after transfering into the school a few months previous. maybe we look to bring him in under bible after glennon graduates……

1 2

Leave a Reply