Final in a series of interviews with Front Range football coaches during fall camp.
Today, Denver Post staff writer Mike Chambers talks with second-year UNC coach Scott Downing.
Denver Post: Your first season in Greeley last year was admittedly difficult. The team ended 1-10 overall and 0-8 in its inaugural year in the Big Sky Conference. A former second-string punter, Mitch Cozad, was accused of attempted murder on the starting punter, current senior Rafael Mendoza, and there were other off-the-field incidents. Glad to have that year behind you?
Downing: The things we had to battle through, you learn from it as a team, and as a staff, and you make adjustments and move ahead.
DP: What’s the biggest difference from last year’s team and this year’s team?
Downing: We’re stronger and better conditioned, and I think our attitude is extremely upbeat, and buoyant, and there’s not a lot of confusion about what is expected of people on the field and off the field.
DP: UNC is in its first year of being eligible to win the Big Sky Conference crown and advance to the postseason, but you’re still looking for your first conference win. Is there a real hunger on your team to prove it belongs?
Downing: Our major goal is to get our first Big Sky win, and hopefully that will happen early in the season. But, yeah, our guys want to prove they belong.
DP: What do you think the team’s biggest strength is?
Downing: I think we’re strong on the offensive line. We have some good players there. As an entire organization, the biggest strength we have is familiarity with each other. Our players and our coaches understand what makes each other tick.
DP: Can you offer your opinion on the Cozad verdict (on Aug. 9 he was convicted of second-degree assault; jurors found him not guilty of attempted murder)?
Downing: I’d rather not.
DP: With your first full recruiting class, how do you feel about your new players?
Downing: There’s a lot of quality from top to bottom. I think we still have to emphasize that they’re still young. They still need to develop, but I think they have great futures ahead of them. In reality, we’ll be a better football team if we redshirt most of our freshmen.
DP: Talk about the combination of senior quarterback Dominic Breazeale, who is beginning his second season in Greeley, and senior wide receiver Andy Birkel, a transfer from Nebraska who missed last season with a knee injury after catching 50 passes in 2005?
Downing: Dominic is back as a seasoned veteran quarterback who is very comfortable with our offense, and obviously having a down-the-field threat like Andy Birkel back is something that we feel is going to stretch the field and open routes for other receivers. I’m really excited to see how these guys hook up in the season.
DP: What other players have stood out in fall camp?
Downing: I think our sophomore defensive end John Eddy, who is from here in Greeley, has had a good camp. … I’ve also been impressed with our other defensive end, (redshirt freshman) Joe Silipo. Offensively, we didn’t return a lot of running backs with carries, but I’ve been impressed with (redshirt freshman) Andy Muns and (junior college transfer) David Woods, who have been workhorses in camp, and I’m excited to see what they can do in live game situations.
DP: There have been many improvements to the practice fields and Nottingham Field. How exciting is this for you and the program?
Downing: We have a great practice situation and one of the best playing surfaces in the Big Sky. Having a really good, quality practice area is not only helpful with recruiting, but it has provided us with a positive atmosphere to prepare for games. The improvements to our stadium have been for our fans – the bathrooms, ticket offices and stuff like that. As coaches and players, we’re only concerned about the playing field.
DP: Named your captains yet?
Downing: They’re Vinny Pallone (defensive lineman), Joe Kenney (linebacker), Jake Gable (offensive lineman) and Aaron Henderson (defensive back), all picked by the players.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
