Here are my notes:
Interview started and you could hear there was a lot of background conversation/laughter wherever Golesh was. He later said he was at a recruiting breakfast and had to take a short break as they just got "some incredible recruiting news" His words.
Talked briefly about the spring practice and how they had checkerboard endzones on the practice fields. Never had seen that and further shows how committed the admin is to the program.
- Said Early Signing Day (ESD) has shifted the recruiting cycle about 1/3 of a year. Leads to more mistakes because of earlier decisions (prior to senior year). One big difference is the midwest doesn't have spring practice while the south does so it has been an adjustment. 90% of the class is signing early with approximately 60% enrolling early. Had 20 recruits in this weekend with a recruiting dinner on Friday and a breakfast this morning. Their focus is to continue to recruit with honesty and tell the recruits they have to come in and earn their playing time.
- All early (9) enrollees got snaps yesterday. Was a push to get them in to infuse them into the culture and 7 full weeks of S&C. Will not be actual freshman by the start of fall practice.
- With the transfer portal, will be hard to keep the 3rd QB happy. Big key is being honest with them.
- Offensive staff continuity is huge. Went through the WR coach interview process with no givens. Spoke well of Kodi Burns and his nfl opportunity. Kelsey Pope was best for continuity and it was who the WR room wanted. KP will make a huge dent in recruiting.Covid was a blessing at it keep everyone everyone together due to lack of travel and allowed them to focus on the task (learning the team and establishing the culture). Coach Heup (what Golesh calls him) is the smartest guy in the room but not afraid to say he was wring. None of the staff is afraid to say they were wrong which leads to good dialogue amongst the staff.
- Returning 8 to 9 players who started. Golesh is not a "goals" guy and focus is to establish a standard. Spring focus has been on "details" on what the O will do. Their standard is to be the best O in the country including best 3rd down, best short yardage and best 1 yard goal line as it lost them games last year. Culture was established now into details for improvement.
- Both qb's are smart, good decision makers and exhibit leadership. Team looks up to them.
- Golesh played defensive and his first GA role was defense so he views the games from a D perspective and how understands how to attack the D. Thinks tight ends are a key to CJH O as they are involved in all aspects of the O (running game, running routes and OL protections)
- Closed with he was very humble to have this opportunity at one of the few places where the opportunity to win a NC exists. Said Vols will wins a SEC championship in the foreseeable future and ended the interview with Go Vols. Very impressive
DM spoke highly of him and said CJH believes he will be a hc in the near future
