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Paul Wulff

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Chat With Head Football Coach Paul Wulff on Friday, August 1 at 11:00 AM.

Moderator: Good morning Cougar fans and thank you for visiting wsucougars.com and today's chat with WSU Head Football Coach Paul Wulff. Before we begin, you will notice there is a "Buy Tickets Now" link at the top of this page. Please click on that link for 2008 ticket information. Note that the public on sale for Cougar football home games, with the exception of the Nov. 22 Apple Cup, begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. Paul, thank you for joining us today. We have a lot of questions for Paul so let's get right to it.

Bruce Johnson (Virginia Beach): Coach - I reject any of the trite cliches about the difficulty of selling WSU/Pullman. My days at WSU are among the happiest in memory. What is easiest to sell recruits (and their families) about our University? What is the biggest adjustment new players (freshmen or CC transfers) face on the field? Looking forward to many successful years with you as our Head Coach. Go Cougs!

Paul Wulff: My days at WSU were also some of the best of my life. It's an easy sell once you get them here physically on campus. The family atmosphere, and most importantly the quality of people, is what separate WSU from other schools.

corvallis or: hi coach just wanted to send congratulations and best wishes on your new job tony baker

Paul Wulff: Thanks Tony, great to hear from you. I hope to see you at the OSU game.

Corey (prosser): Coach Wulff- First off best of luck this upcoming season, you have the entire Prosser cougar nation behind you. My question for you is, which player besides Brandon Gibson, has the greatest chance to play on Sundays? Thanks and Go Cougs!

Paul Wulff: Corey, that's not an easy question to answer. So many things can change this fall. Devin Frischknecht, Vaughn Lesuma and Greg Trent come to mind.

morris seattle: You have a diamond in kevin norrell, saw him doing one on ones with NFL players in carson, no one could stick him, the people in the stands were amazed. Will he play as freshman? Levy will love this kid. He knows how to compete. GO COUGS WE GOT ONE

Paul Wulff: We feel Kevin Norrell was a diamond in the rough when we signed him. We hope that he helps our program like we think he will be able to.

Don Ballard Puyallup: HI Coach, the two positions you must be exceptional at in the Pac-10 are corner and DE. How is our depth and talent levels in both of those areas going into the season?

Paul Wulff: Don, we feel our corners and defensive ends have potential that could be developed this season. Both areas are young with inexperience, but have good ability.

ryan , california: I watched Lopina play at De la Sale. With his skill set do you envision using him like Florida used Tebow when Leak was the qb?

Paul Wulff: We are still finding out more of his strengths. But we feel he is an excellent thrower as well as a very solid runner.

Dan (Green Bay): Coach, we all read the message boards and Coug fans seem to have an idea of what they THINK they know about this year's team, and its strengths and weaknesses. Can you tell us a position group that you think has the potential to greatly exceed the expectations that people seem to have for that group? And why?

Paul Wulff: Dan, probably our secondary. We should have a good number of bodies to work with. This should create excellent competition and hopefully, great improvement throughout the season moving forward.

Neil (Spokane): Now that you have a full year to recruit this class, how is your reception? What has been your philosophy on offering scholarships early to the 2009 class?

Paul Wulff: Neil, our reception has been outstanding. Unfortunately, in this day and age, we have to offer scholarships to juniors in high school. If you don't start now, you fall behind in the recruiting process.

Mike-Thousand Oaks, Ca: Nico Grasu is a great addition to your kicking team. I watched him play at Crespi High School and he has a leg. Will he be starter? I am a coug alum class of 1974-GO COUGS!!

Paul Wulff: Nico has an excellent opportunity to compete and win the starting position.

Vince, Washougal, Washington: Coach, What has been the biggest difference for you so far in coaching at Wazzu vs Eastern Washington.

Paul Wulff: Vince, the biggest difference is spending more time with media and external issues than ever before, including doing these online chats.

Brown Port Angeles, WA: I know the pre-season Pac-Ten picks mean absolutely nothing and 90% of the time they don't know what they're talking about but what do you have to say about the Cougs being picked to finish last in the conference?

Paul Wulff: It was to be expected to be picked 10th, particularly with a coaching change. But I believe that is not where we will end up.

David (Bellingham): Why do you think the no huddle offense will be so effective against the Pac-10 defenses?

Paul Wulff: David, the no-huddle will not be effective if we don't execute our scheme. If we execute, like any scheme, we will have success.

Honolulu: How is the chemistry of the team with new leadership at the quarterback and head coach positions? How are you guys getting along....are you on the same page in regards to what to expect from each other?

Paul Wulff: So far all players and coaches have been working hard together to improve Washington State football. We have made progress, and we will continue to do so.

Beaverton, OR: Are the Cougs going to have a stronger defense, if so what makes it better than last year?

Paul Wulff: We surely hope to be stronger on defense. We feel that if we improve our tackling alone, that could really help our defense and our football team.

Jason from Vegas: Coach what are your impressions of the artist's renderings for Phase III of the Martin Stadium Renovation?

Paul Wulff: I am very impressed and excited about our new stadium. Once completed, the combination of the campus setting around the stadium and our rabid fans will equate to one of the best home-field advantages in all of America. In addition, we really need all Cougar fans support to make Phase III a reality.

Scott (CDA): I want to make the trip down to Pullman this summer to watch the Cougs practice and prepare for Oklahoma State. Is your practice schedule set? Thanks!

Paul Wulff: Scott, as of Tuesday the 5th we will be practicing everyday at 9 a.m., and when we have two-a-day practices, the afternoon practice will be at two o'clock.

Tom: You have had a great and unique opportunity to be able to coach your nephew for the past four years at Eastern. As he enters his senior season and as the team makes a run at the national championship, will you be able to enjoy their games as a fan and uncle or will it be difficult to remove the critical thinking of the coach inside of you?

Paul Wulff: Tom, absolutely. I'll be thinking of my nephew Charlie and the whole Eastern football team, where I spent my last 15 years to help build that program, as they move into a season where they have a legitimate chance to win a conference and national championship.

Bryan (Kirkland): Coach Wulff, Go Cougs! I am very excited for the upcoming season and am looking forward to watching the new force in the PAC-10. Best of luck!

Paul Wulff: Thanks Bryan

Travis Crawford (Pullman): Hey Coach I have been a proud drinker of the Crimson koolaid since getting here in 2004, and I've gotta say that since then the culture around Cougar Football has been pretty poor, both from the standpoint of a fan and from some of the players I have had classes with. How much do you think that has changed since taking the job late last year and do you think that it can be enough to get people back onboard with the program without having to say we "couged" it everytime something goes wrong? Thanks

Paul Wulff: One of my very first statements at the press conference was changing the culture. It takes time, but we have made strides; we are not completely there yet. Thanks.

Chad (Surprise, AZ): I know one of your focuses after being named head coach was to be successful in gaining early commitments from high school players. I've read about the sides you and your staff have made in this area but I would like to know how you would assess the progress so far.

Paul Wulff: I believe our recruiting is going very well. Looking at the future of Cougar football, I believe the recruits out there are seeing a bright vision and future.

Michael (Seattle): Hi Coach. Do you believe that you already have "your type of guys" on the roster that are buying in to the system, or do you think you need to tweak some things over the next couple years? Or perhaps a bit of both?

Paul Wulff: Michael, our type of guys are guys who want to work hard; believe in what they are doing; will execute our goals, and be a loyal teammate. Any current player on our roster could be our type of guy if he chooses to be.

nick skladany spokane: What do you see as the biggest hurdle to overcome this year to put a VERY competitive team on the field?

Paul Wulff: For the players to respond in a positive manner every time adversity hits.

Matt (Olympia): Coach Wulff, congratulations on turning the team around academically. I just read about the 3.13 Summer GPA. Could you give any information about the players' summer schedule and how it meshes with football practice? Thanks in advance.

Paul Wulff: Matt, thanks. The players have worked hard this spring and summer to improve that area. Usually, workouts always work around the summer academic class load; therefore, there are no conflicts for the student-athletes.

Scott (Kennewick): Will any of your freshman recruits see playing time this year?

Paul Wulff: Maybe is the answer. There might be a few that do, but we do not know at this point who that could be.

Joel (Boise: Keep recruiting in Boise... Taking their best gives me lots of things to smile about.

Paul Wulff: Thanks Joel. We will do our best.

Chris(Pullman): I know you had only the spring workouts to run the new offense but how well do you think they are picking it up?

Paul Wulff: Chris, good, considering the limited amount of practice opportunities we had with the players.

Dave, Pullman: Coach, what is your initial assessment of our keys to winning the Oklahoma State game? Did you get last year's tapes (bet they don't like that we have a new offense so last year's WSU tapes are not much help!)

Paul Wulff: Dave, the keys to winning most football games is taking care of the football on offense and making sure we play sound defense and special teams.

Dan (Bothell): Hi Coach Wulff- We are quite happy to see you back in Pullman, you were exceptional as a player and I know you will succeed now. Keep up the great job, we look forward to making the drive over for the games. (Also, remember selling me your Yamaha scooter in 1990??)

Paul Wulff: Dan, thanks. I hope the scooter was as good for you as it was for me.

Nate, Seattle: Coach Wulff, What was your thought process in deciding to go back to the classic coug helmet script for home games, and can we expect any "special touches" helmet/uniform wise for future Apple Cups?

Paul Wulff: Nate, with the new uniform design that we have already looked at for next year with Nike, we felt the combination with home uniforms and the Cougar script helmet would be a good fit. Plus, it also keeps a great tradition still alive in Cougar football. Our logo is clearly one of, if not the best, in college sports, and we will always make sure it is very well-represented in all of our uniform combinations that we have.

Tom-California: I have read were the kids have had two great quarters academically. Congratulations and keep up the great work.

Paul Wulff: Tom, thank you. Our goal is to break the record for team GPA this fall.

Jim (Lacey): How many of the qurterbacks on the current roster have experience paying in a system similar to what they are going to be runnuing at Wazzu? Does this give them any kind of advantage in your mind? Also, how do you feel about the depth at running back this year? Good luck and looking forward to a fun season this year as seems like excitement is on the way back to the Palouse!!!

Paul Wulff: Jim, we don't have a lot of players that have run this system, but we feel like it's a friendly system to learn, a flexible system, and that the kids can have a lot of fun with it.

Moderator: Time for one more question.

Chris(Pullman): What is your biggest concern right now heading into camp?

Paul Wulff: How we are going to respond to the intensity that we need through practice, and when we face adversity, are we going to respond and attack it.

Moderator: Okay that is all the time we have. Paul, thank you for joining us and best of luck this upcoming season.

Paul Wulff: Thank you. Looking forward to all of your support as we move forward.

Moderator: Thank you to everyone for your questions. Remember, to get all the information about WSU Athletics, go no further than wsucougars.com, the official website of Cougar Athletics. Please check back to wsucougars.com for future online chats.