Ever wanted to ask sports personality a question? Now’s your chance. They will answer readers’ questions in The Denver Post’s “Fan Mail” feature.
In this installment, second-year Wyoming Cowboys coach Dave Christensen tackles readers’ questions about the Pokes’ “uber-kicker” from Germany, Wyoming’s wide-open offense and how he’s adjusted to living in Laramie.
Keep an eye out for the next installment. Send your Qs in an email to fanmail@denverpost.com
I’m a big UW fan who can’t wait to get the season underway. From what I have read, we have a linebacker who has been handling kickoff duties and putting them deep into the end zone. How valuable do you think it will be to have an extra man on the field during kickoffs capable of laying down a big hit? If this is successful, could you see it being a model that other teams would follow?
— Kyle, Las Vegas
Dave Christensen: Oliver Schober, from Munich, Germany, is the young man you are talking about. I think Oliver will play a very valuable role on our kickoff team because generally your kicker is merely a safety valve, and we can change that dynamic with Oliver. Linebackers are trained to make open-field tackles, so it gives us another very effective cover man on our kick team. He does have a very strong leg that should limit the return opportunities for opponents. On top of that he is a good football player and will see time at linebacker for us in his first season.
Tell me a little of your Wyoming experience, how’s it feel to be a Cowboy on the plains in Laramie? Gotta love it!!
— John Taylor, Imlay City, Mich.
DC: I love living in Laramie. We live in the country a few miles outside of town, with beautiful mountain views all around us. We can sit out on our deck and watch the sunset over the mountains. I can see the Laramie city lights from my bedroom window at night, and have actually seen War Memorial Stadium with the lights on at night after a home game. I think it’s a wonderful, peaceful place to live.
On top of the great location, we have outstanding fan support from all over the state that makes it an even more special place. Our fans are second to none.
The Pokes have one of the toughest schedules in college football, with most likely five top-25 opponents, including two top-five opponents in consecutive weeks (Texas in Week 2, Boise State in Week 3). How will you prepare the team mentally for this difficult schedule?
— James, Loveland
DC: We prepare the same way every week no matter who we are playing. We have a plan for everything we do from Sunday through game day, and we don’t alter that plan. We believe in what we’re doing. Our kids know how to prepare and train, and we don’t vary from that.
I believe it is fair to say that the “Poke Nation” is incredibly proud of you, the Cowboys and the significant strides made in year one. On to year two What do you see as the biggest obstacle(s) in implementing your version of the spread offense this year? And how will you measure your team’s success at the end of this season?
— Jed Scott UW, Fort Collins, (Wyoming class of ’95 and ’00)
DC: We do hope to put up bigger numbers offensively this season in terms of points scored per game. We have more weapons in our arsenal, more athletic kids and more speed on the offensive side of the ball than we did a year ago. We just hope that translates into more points for us.
In terms of how we will measure our team’s success this season, our goal in this program is to play in the postseason every year — anything less than that would be a disappointing year for us.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions? Lucky meals, socks, or sideline gear? Go Pokes!
— Aaron Hinton, Casper, Wyo.
DC: I don’t have any pregame superstitions. I believe those that prepare the best will usually come out on top. We prepare the same way and practice the same way every week, but I don’t believe in superstitions. I believe you create your own luck through hard work.
With the switch to a 4-3 defense, are you concerned about being undersized on the front four, especially at the tackle positions?
Jerry Krysl, Centennial (Wyo. 1988)
DC: I don’t have a concern there. Our starting tackles will probably average about 275-290 pounds, with good speed, strength and size. Both of our starting ends (Gabe Knapton and Josh Biezuns) were outstanding players for us a year ago as linebackers. They are both very strong young men, and both have added size. But what they really give us is much better speed on our defense. I don’t think size is going to be a huge factor at the defensive line positions.
Huge Pokes fan from Missouri. Coach (Joe) Glenn did some good things for Wyoming football. His philosophy, however, seemed to be, to play not to lose instead of playing to win. Evidence of this what I would noted as predictable and sometimes questionable play calling (i.e., give up the middle on 3rd and long. How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
— Bob Peterson, Joplin, MO
DC: Thanks for pulling for the Cowboys out there in Missouri, Bob. We still pull for the (Missouri) Tigers. I would describe my coaching philosophy as based on hard work and preparation. Offensively, we run an up-tempo, spread offense. With that offense, we want to dictate the pace of the game. That means playing at a quick tempo, not allowing the defense to substitute the way they would like and creating mismatches.
On Sept. 4 in Laramie, Christensen’s Cowboys open their season against Southern Utah.
It will be Christensen’s second year as Wyoming’s head coach, a job he waited a long time to lasso. Last year, after being picked to finish last in the Mountain West Conference, the Cowboys went 7-6 and beat Fresno State 35-28 in double overtime to win the New Mexico Bowl.
Christensen became just the second Wyoming coach to take the Cowboys to a bowl game in his first season. The only other man to do that was Paul Roach in 1987.
The Cowboys closed out their regular season with an emotionally charged victory over Colorado State in Fort Collins.
Christensen, 49, was a coach at the college level for 24 years. Getting a shot at Wyoming was a dream come true.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be given the opportunity to lead the Wyoming Cowboy Football program,” said Christensen when he was hired. “The opportunity to become a head coach is something I’ve been preparing for my entire career. “This is a great job at an outstanding university. Wyoming has a rich football tradition, and combined with the new, state-of-the art facilities, I know we can win here.”
