As head coach Greg Schiano stated a few days ago during his press conference, several assistant coaches on the Rutgers football staff will hold press conferences with the media throughout spring training camp. This time, it was defensive coordinator Travis Johansen’s turn to answer questions from the media.
The press conference started with a question about what Johansen had to say to those concerned about the lack of overall FBS experience on the defensive coaching staff. Johansen started by noting
that they have brought in some coaches with FBS experience, such as defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter, who worked at Minnesota last season. He also mentioned how it is a benefit to have coaches familiar with the system so that the teaching is streamlined.
The second question had to do with what his early impressions are of the defensive players in the spring, since he was not here when a majority of them were brought in. He talked about how, so far, they have been great culture fits, but are still learning their way around, which has made it hard for anyone in particular to stand out.
Later on in the press conference, one of the reporters pointed out that Rutgers’ defense was one of the worst in the country last season before asking how much better Johansen thinks they can reasonably get. In response, Johansen mentioned how they aren’t looking at it that way because many of the faces, both on staff and in the locker room, were not a part of that defense. He talked about how they still need to find who they are as a defense, how they are not looking backwards, and how those narratives are not in their headspace.
Here is a link to a recording of the full press conference by NJ.com/ The Rutgers Rant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IFJdgtk080
