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Jody Sears

Cougar Chats presented by:

Chat with Washington State Football Co-Defensive Coordinator Jody Sears, Monday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. PT.

Moderator: Good morning Cougar football fans and thank you for visiting wsucougars.com and this morning's chat with Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Jody Sears. Jody, thank you for joining us today.

Jody Sears: I appreciate giving me the opportunity to spend some time with Cougar Nation.

Nate (Pullman): Why wouldn't you go for at least a field goal at the end of the USC game to keep our record alive?

Jody Sears: Nate, if the opportunity would have existed in the USC game we would have definitely, definitely, kicked a field goal. But the opportunity did not present itself.

Wenatchee: Jody, I have noticed all season that our corners have not applied any bump and run techniques. Do you teach that at all? If so, why do i never see it implemented on this team?

Jody Sears: Yes, we do teach bump and run technique. We have played it quite a bit at times this season; however, we also have to take into consideration how we match up with the opposing receivers.

Lee Cowan Newport Beach, CA: I am trying to walk on to the team next year as a cornerback. I was wondering if Washington State takes walk-ons usually? If they do, do you think there will be any cornerback spots open?

Jody Sears: Yes, we take walk-ons at all positions and, oh by the way, how tall are you? How much do you weigh? How fast are you? Are you a current high school senior? Please contact our football office at 509-335-0253 and ask for Coach Sears.

Scott (westside): Any in state lineman recruits for you guys this year?

Jody Sears: Yes, we are currently recruiting 8 to 10 in-state linemen as of now. Other than that I cannot further comment on any of the recruits because of NCAA regulations.

Eric (Kent): Jody, The blueprint for Rose Bowls at WSU was created by Mike Price. 6'6" 260lbs high school tight ends that grow into 6'6" 300lbs offensive linemen. Can we please go back to that?

Jody Sears: Yes, that has always been Coach Wulff's philosophy in his recruiting. Big, rangy, tough guys that can run and are good football players who will develop into good leaders of character.

Stockton, CA: What are the biggest challenges in recruiting top student-athletes to Pullman? How can you overcome these obstacles to compete with the rest of the Pac 10?

Jody Sears: The biggest challenge is just getting the kids here on a visit, because once they come here on their visit, they absolutely love it. One might think that is a challenge; we see it as an advantage. We will overcome any kind of recruiting obstacles with our relationship building, our honesty, and our commitment to building those relationships with their families and high school coaches. The administration has made a commitment both to our program and facilities. As coaches, we just need to get out into the schools and the homes, and exhaust all of our recruiting avenues available.

74Coug (Virginia Beach): Two questions: 1. Has the bye week been an opportunity to fine-tune existing schemes, or to introduce new wrinkles? 2. How would you describe our team's outlook right now? Are the leaders stepping up and leading? Appreciate all your dedication and hark work...GO COUGS!

Jody Sears: The bye week has been great. We've had the opportunity to fine-tune the things that we are trying to teach as well as getting a head start on Stanford. The team's outlook right now is one that seems to be refreshed with a little more energy, and leadership is continuing to emerge.

Kermit Beaverton OR: When will our Senior line backers get a chance to play together?

Jody Sears: When they are all healthy.

Chris (Seattle): Jody, do you feel that the bye week has given this team the time it needs to heal and prepare to be a bit more competitive against what we hope might be the easier half of our schedule?

Jody Sears: Yes, the bye week has been great. We have had the opportunity to get some guys healed up and get a head start on Stanford. However, there is nothing easier about our schedule. In the Pac-10, there is no such thing as easier.

Chris (Seattle): Hey Jody, what are your biggest concerns going into Stanford next week?

Jody Sears: The biggest concern we have is stopping the run.

Chris (Seattle): Jody, recruiting wise, is the staff more interested in bringing in officials during game weekends, or post-season? Do you like smaller groups or bigger groups coming in over the weekends during game weekends? post-season weekends?

Jody Sears: Yes, we definitely think it is an advantage to us bringing in recruits on official visits during game weekends so they can experience the Gameday atmosphere, which has been huge for us, regardless of our record, in making a good impression. At the same time, we have to be careful in how many we can bring in from a pure management standpoint, for instance, spending quality time with each recruit. So in summary: smaller groups during game weekends and larger groups postseason weekends.

Chris (Seattle): Jody, what are the staff's primary goals coming into the second half of the season?

Jody Sears: Our primary goals are to hold the line; continue to coach hard; continue to hold kids accountable and to continue to develop the program.

Chris (Seattle): Jody, which redshirting freshman and JC's do you feel will make the biggest impact for us next year? Which ones are showing the most improvement?

Jody Sears: Hard to say because all of the kids that are redshirting right now are doing a very, very good job of improving both on the field and in the weight room. Their energy and commitment have been very good.

Nick, Tacoma: It seems like our line needs to heft-up. What sort of prospects do you have for the next recruiting year

Jody Sears: That is our No. 1 priority in recruiting for this year!

Corey (Selah): Coach, How is the depth in the secondary looking for the next few years?

Jody Sears: Better but young

Moderator: Okay, that's all the time we have. Jody, thank you for joining us today.

Jody Sears: I appreciate the questions. Keep the faith and Go Cougs!

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.