Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Update: Wide Receivers Coach Courtney Hawkins Media Teleconference Transcript
4/1/2020 5:49:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins answered questions from reporters on a media teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. Hawkins talked about his transition to collegiate coaching, his initial thoughts on the Spartan wide receivers, and how past players welcomed him back to East Lansing.
The complete transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Wide Receivers Coach Courtney Hawkins
On how the transition has been and early moments of when he found out he got the job…
Well, from a transition standpoint, it's been great. I was super excited to get the opportunity. We had been in the office, I don't know, about three weeks or so before everything transpired and we all had to leave and go home. That made the transition for me a little rocky because I was still in the stage of, learning names around the office, learning more about staff, so that kind of put that on hold for a minute. But just to have the opportunity to come back to my alma mater, to run up the tunnel once again, in competition…It's something that just thinking about and talking about gives me goose bumps, so I am just super grateful, working hard, can't wait to pour into these guys and we're going to put a great product on the field.
On the origins of getting the job; if he actively sought it out or someone connected him with Coach Tucker…
I think there was a little bit of all of the above, would be the answer that I would circle in on that one. I'd say over the last six, seven years I've expressed interest in wanting to coach in college. I've been coaching high school for 14 years and I said before I hung my coaching whistle, this is something that was on my bucket list and I always thought no better place to do it then back home. Between myself and some of my friends…When the job opened, even the head coach position I had people call me and say, 'Oh man, why don't you apply?' I don't have enough experience to be a head coach at that level, at this point, but I've been praying about it and I got a great call on February 14th, I'll never forget it. It was actually Valentine's Day and Coach Tuck (head coach Mel Tucker) called me that morning and we had a couple conversations, and here I am.
On why coaching in college was on his bucket list…
One reason is I'm super competitive and I wanted another challenge. I mean I had a great time doing what I was doing but it was just something, something that's fun and inside of me to do. I love college football, I played it at the highest level and if I had my choice of… A lot of people ask what was the most fun? By far college was the most fun. Playing at high school, college and pro level and just…I'm into giving back and I felt like I've done some things well; I've work hard at being a good person, being a good role model. These guys that are 18, 19, 22 years old, it would be an opportunity to pour into them, to teach them about being a good person and also to help them up their football game to that level that they all wish that they will strive to; strive to get to. So for me actually it was a no-brainer and I'm really grateful to Coach Tucker for giving me this opportunity at Michigan State University. Like I've told a lot of people, a lot of people can't write this story.
On if he played against Mel Tucker when MSU played Wisconsin…
You know, we haven't had that conversation. I'm not sure if we were on the field at the same time. We might have to watch the tape or maybe he has a better memory than I do about being on the field at the same time, but I'm not sure.
On Coach Tucker saying that coaching in high school is more difficult and adjustments to his new role at MSU…
I mean, I appreciate that by Coach Tucker but, you know, high school and one thing about it is I was at a high school that was in the bottom five percent of poorest high schools in the state of Michigan so a lot of the luxuries, amenities, the actual needs – we didn't have. I've spent a lot of time going out, trying to make sure that the playing field was level and I think that's kind of what Coach Tucker was talking about. I didn't have anybody breaking down film, I broke down film. I did all the scouting. I've coached every position on our offense and part of the defense. So then you have the demands of being a head coach; answer to parents and the administration side from being an athletic director, and everything that goes on and taking care of all the other sports with, which basically had the same issues. That job was a job where I never slept doing that job because there was always something going on. College football is on that same level. There's the opportunity now to focus more on one position and honing the craft of the receivers and doing my part on special teams. I think the same time and the same hours, the same effort in to be great and to be a champion. Nothing has really changed from me from that standpoint because I'm super competitive. I'm not going let you win if we sit down and play marbles or darts or shoot pool; I'm going to play like my life is depending on it because that's just kind of how I'm wired. I'm going to bring that same energy, same passion to the receiver position and to the coaching staff.
On his initial impression of the receiving group…
Well, I mean, initially the first word you said was young. We've got some youth in our room; we've got some guys that are super excited for the opportunity to compete and get the opportunity to play on Saturday. Guys are working hard, guys are spending a lot of time in their playbooks. We meet over Zoom and we've given guys tests once or twice a week and guys are doing phenomenal. I'm talking to them – we want to make sure we get the mental side of the X's and O's in so that when everything does get back to normal, we can hit the ground running and they have really bought in and I've really been just excited about the energy that's in the room with the fellas. I have told them, may the best man win. They don't know me, I don't know them that well so it's going to be all about competition and the plan is to put the best guys on the field; the best guys will play on Saturday. That'll be my approach from day one until the end of time.
On what he'll provide from a recruiting standpoint and his connections to the state…
I think that's definitely one of the reasons that I was even considered for this position on the coaching staff. I've been in high school football for 14 years in Michigan and I was at the same school. I was on the Michigan High School Athletic Association Representative Council; part of Michigan High School Football Coaches' Association, so I know a lot of the coaches personally. I bring integrity to the field. Guys have seen the program that I put together. They've seen the product with my kids that left Beecher High School; we put some good kids out because we ran a disciplined program. They know that I took care of my kids at Beecher. I'm pretty sure coaches know around the state that would be my approach if they send their kids to Michigan State football under my watch and under our watch as our staff. I've reached out to a lot of coaches, I'll continue to do that. We just want to open up all doors, all avenues back to East Lansing. There's some great football schools in Michigan, there's a lot of great talent. We want everybody to know that we're not going make any promises that we're going to bring everybody to Lansing, but we will promise you that we will take a look at your kids and if they fit what we're looking for, and what we need, they'll definitely be on our board. Really can't ask for more than that, as a high school coach, just the opportunity – the opportunity for these kids to be seen.
On the value of having the experiences of a high school coach when it comes to recruiting…
Well as I've been on the other side of recruiting as a high school coach, I know one of my biggest things was a guy coming in, being honest; being a person of their word and not coming in and selling some kind of dream that as a former college recruitment and former professional athlete like look are you telling the kids this…I think that honestly that these guys will get from me actually in knowing me personally, I think it carries a lot of weight. The one thing from my standpoint with recruiting, I'm going to be myself, I'm going to be honest, I'm going to care about the kids; I will make sure that they are taken care of. I think that's what a lot of coaches and parents really look for in this whole process.
On what his outlook is on recruiting…
Well I'm excited about the job and everything that comes with it. Maybe some guys that have been doing this a long time think that recruiting is a headache but I'm excited about every aspect of being the receivers coach at Michigan State University. I am willing to do whatever it takes to go out and get the best kids that fit what we're trying to build here at the program. Recruiting... has it been eye opening, absolutely. The number of kids I've looked at, watching kids on film. While I've been home I've probably looked at well over 200-300 receivers; around the state, outside of the state. So that's definitely different. You have to keep really good notes to keep them separate. You watch 10-15 guys a day, if you don't take good notes, you'll get guys mixed up. That's been different, that's been a challenge, but it's also been fun. You see that there's really some talented football players here in the state and around in different areas. We just need to figure out how to tap into those kids and those areas and get them on campus and get them with us.
On his geographic area in the state and in the country he's been assigned…
Coach has assigned some areas like parts of Charlotte, parts of Atlanta. In Michigan, I definitely have the Flint area and the surrounding areas. But some parts of some of those states like Ohio; there's some guys that are assigned to Ohio. I think he's kind of assigning guys to areas that they are familiar with and that they have some connections from previous with coaches that are already there. Wherever he sends me, I'm going to go out and do my best to meet people and bring great kids to East Lansing.
On Jayden Reed…
Jayden is hungry. He had to sit out last year and he made the decision to transfer. We had a conversation as to why and he wanted to play at the highest level and compete against guys in the Big Ten. He's been working hard in the weight room and conditioning wise, getting his body and his mind right. I expect him to have a great year; he's a quick kid, he runs well, he has a nice burst, has nice top-end speed, so we'll just work to hone his skills as a receiver, work on some things; getting in and out of breaks, maintain separation and I think Jayden is going to be a huge surprise for Spartan Nation, the kid can play.
On who he heard congratulations from after being named the wide receivers coach…
Oh man, that's a whole another conversation that we could probably be on all day. I don't want to start naming names and slight anybody, but I'll tell you what, Spartan Nation and Spartan Dawgs are in my corner. A lot of my former coaches, almost every one that I can recall, called me. My phone rang…my phone probably ran continuously for about three or four days. In fact, my wife was like look, with all phone calls or text messages. That's all I did was respond and answer the phone. I received some great calls; I received some calls from a lot of people who are in my corner, who have been in my corner and it made me feel really…I don't even know how I felt, I just felt so supported from people in the Green and White. I received calls from people that literally, that I maybe met at one of the alumni games or at Homecoming or kind of met in passing, I got emails from, and I got phone calls from people that literally I had never met; they just called to tell me congratulations. My thing was how did you get my phone number – 'well, the Green and White sticks together, I just want to say congratulations.' It was just an outpouring of 'congratulations, we're behind you, if we can help you in any way don't hesitate to reach out.' It made getting this position even more special. You just don't know how much love you have until things like this happen. It's been great.
Over the last 25 years how much he has watched Michigan State and how Michigan State has continued relationships with Flint in football and basketball…
Ever since I first stepped on campus back in 1988, '89, I've pretty much watched everything Michigan State does every day. The relationship with Flint has been awesome; you had the era with the Flintstones, and Coach Izzo still has a huge presence in the city of Flint and when he comes to basketball games, that's one of the buzzes around town. With Michigan State football it's a little bit the same way, with me being from the area, I'm hoping to have more of a presence. I know there's some talent in the Flint area when it comes to football and definitely some great basketball players, but there's some guys that can flat out play football here in the area and surrounding areas. I'm planning to open those doors up and getting those guys to Michigan State and being able to have that same kind of connection that the basketball program has to the area.
On what Coach Perles would have said about him being back at MSU…
Coach Perles was one of the most influential men in my life. I absolutely love Coach Perles like a dad. The one thing he would do, most of the time when I saw Coach, even when his health was deteriorating, he would reach out and he would give me a hug. Coach and I had a great relationship. I remember him when I first decided to leave, he made me promise that at some point, 'you better get your degree.' I remember sitting in his office after my senior year and just the years when I would pop back up there, it would just be like I was still one of his players. Just a great individual; he cared about us all. We knew he cared, he showed you that he cared and he created some great men. I'll be forever thankful and grateful to Coach Perles and his family.
On Tre Mosley…
Tre right now is returning the most catches out of anybody in the room right now. He had an opportunity to get his feet wet last year. He did some things well, but he was young, youth showed. This year we'll concentrate on getting the game to slow down for him and the way you get the game to slow down is by understanding the offense and understanding the defense better; knowing your playbook inside and out. I've had conversations with Tre about I want him to be in better condition. I think the sky's the limit for Tre; he's a hard worker, he listens, he asks really good questions. I think he wants to be great, so he's going to put the work in. Like I said, we're going to have a lot of fun on the field, teaching and learning and we'll see the results on Saturday.
On Jalen Nailor…
I think Jalen has a great upside also. His nickname is 'Speedy,' so anybody with the nickname 'Speedy' should be able to run. We're looking to stretch the field, take some shots down the field. Just like Tre, kind of like I said earlier…We've got some youngsters in the room so we're going to focus on fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals, and just harp on that. Just get mentally and physically tough; get into the best shape of their lives. I think this group is going to surprise some people. We're going to do some things; we're going to work hard, create separation, give the quarterbacks some targets and go out and make plays. That's what receivers are supposed to do.
The complete transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Wide Receivers Coach Courtney Hawkins
On how the transition has been and early moments of when he found out he got the job…
Well, from a transition standpoint, it's been great. I was super excited to get the opportunity. We had been in the office, I don't know, about three weeks or so before everything transpired and we all had to leave and go home. That made the transition for me a little rocky because I was still in the stage of, learning names around the office, learning more about staff, so that kind of put that on hold for a minute. But just to have the opportunity to come back to my alma mater, to run up the tunnel once again, in competition…It's something that just thinking about and talking about gives me goose bumps, so I am just super grateful, working hard, can't wait to pour into these guys and we're going to put a great product on the field.
On the origins of getting the job; if he actively sought it out or someone connected him with Coach Tucker…
I think there was a little bit of all of the above, would be the answer that I would circle in on that one. I'd say over the last six, seven years I've expressed interest in wanting to coach in college. I've been coaching high school for 14 years and I said before I hung my coaching whistle, this is something that was on my bucket list and I always thought no better place to do it then back home. Between myself and some of my friends…When the job opened, even the head coach position I had people call me and say, 'Oh man, why don't you apply?' I don't have enough experience to be a head coach at that level, at this point, but I've been praying about it and I got a great call on February 14th, I'll never forget it. It was actually Valentine's Day and Coach Tuck (head coach Mel Tucker) called me that morning and we had a couple conversations, and here I am.
On why coaching in college was on his bucket list…
One reason is I'm super competitive and I wanted another challenge. I mean I had a great time doing what I was doing but it was just something, something that's fun and inside of me to do. I love college football, I played it at the highest level and if I had my choice of… A lot of people ask what was the most fun? By far college was the most fun. Playing at high school, college and pro level and just…I'm into giving back and I felt like I've done some things well; I've work hard at being a good person, being a good role model. These guys that are 18, 19, 22 years old, it would be an opportunity to pour into them, to teach them about being a good person and also to help them up their football game to that level that they all wish that they will strive to; strive to get to. So for me actually it was a no-brainer and I'm really grateful to Coach Tucker for giving me this opportunity at Michigan State University. Like I've told a lot of people, a lot of people can't write this story.
On if he played against Mel Tucker when MSU played Wisconsin…
You know, we haven't had that conversation. I'm not sure if we were on the field at the same time. We might have to watch the tape or maybe he has a better memory than I do about being on the field at the same time, but I'm not sure.
On Coach Tucker saying that coaching in high school is more difficult and adjustments to his new role at MSU…
I mean, I appreciate that by Coach Tucker but, you know, high school and one thing about it is I was at a high school that was in the bottom five percent of poorest high schools in the state of Michigan so a lot of the luxuries, amenities, the actual needs – we didn't have. I've spent a lot of time going out, trying to make sure that the playing field was level and I think that's kind of what Coach Tucker was talking about. I didn't have anybody breaking down film, I broke down film. I did all the scouting. I've coached every position on our offense and part of the defense. So then you have the demands of being a head coach; answer to parents and the administration side from being an athletic director, and everything that goes on and taking care of all the other sports with, which basically had the same issues. That job was a job where I never slept doing that job because there was always something going on. College football is on that same level. There's the opportunity now to focus more on one position and honing the craft of the receivers and doing my part on special teams. I think the same time and the same hours, the same effort in to be great and to be a champion. Nothing has really changed from me from that standpoint because I'm super competitive. I'm not going let you win if we sit down and play marbles or darts or shoot pool; I'm going to play like my life is depending on it because that's just kind of how I'm wired. I'm going to bring that same energy, same passion to the receiver position and to the coaching staff.
On his initial impression of the receiving group…
Well, I mean, initially the first word you said was young. We've got some youth in our room; we've got some guys that are super excited for the opportunity to compete and get the opportunity to play on Saturday. Guys are working hard, guys are spending a lot of time in their playbooks. We meet over Zoom and we've given guys tests once or twice a week and guys are doing phenomenal. I'm talking to them – we want to make sure we get the mental side of the X's and O's in so that when everything does get back to normal, we can hit the ground running and they have really bought in and I've really been just excited about the energy that's in the room with the fellas. I have told them, may the best man win. They don't know me, I don't know them that well so it's going to be all about competition and the plan is to put the best guys on the field; the best guys will play on Saturday. That'll be my approach from day one until the end of time.
On what he'll provide from a recruiting standpoint and his connections to the state…
I think that's definitely one of the reasons that I was even considered for this position on the coaching staff. I've been in high school football for 14 years in Michigan and I was at the same school. I was on the Michigan High School Athletic Association Representative Council; part of Michigan High School Football Coaches' Association, so I know a lot of the coaches personally. I bring integrity to the field. Guys have seen the program that I put together. They've seen the product with my kids that left Beecher High School; we put some good kids out because we ran a disciplined program. They know that I took care of my kids at Beecher. I'm pretty sure coaches know around the state that would be my approach if they send their kids to Michigan State football under my watch and under our watch as our staff. I've reached out to a lot of coaches, I'll continue to do that. We just want to open up all doors, all avenues back to East Lansing. There's some great football schools in Michigan, there's a lot of great talent. We want everybody to know that we're not going make any promises that we're going to bring everybody to Lansing, but we will promise you that we will take a look at your kids and if they fit what we're looking for, and what we need, they'll definitely be on our board. Really can't ask for more than that, as a high school coach, just the opportunity – the opportunity for these kids to be seen.
On the value of having the experiences of a high school coach when it comes to recruiting…
Well as I've been on the other side of recruiting as a high school coach, I know one of my biggest things was a guy coming in, being honest; being a person of their word and not coming in and selling some kind of dream that as a former college recruitment and former professional athlete like look are you telling the kids this…I think that honestly that these guys will get from me actually in knowing me personally, I think it carries a lot of weight. The one thing from my standpoint with recruiting, I'm going to be myself, I'm going to be honest, I'm going to care about the kids; I will make sure that they are taken care of. I think that's what a lot of coaches and parents really look for in this whole process.
On what his outlook is on recruiting…
Well I'm excited about the job and everything that comes with it. Maybe some guys that have been doing this a long time think that recruiting is a headache but I'm excited about every aspect of being the receivers coach at Michigan State University. I am willing to do whatever it takes to go out and get the best kids that fit what we're trying to build here at the program. Recruiting... has it been eye opening, absolutely. The number of kids I've looked at, watching kids on film. While I've been home I've probably looked at well over 200-300 receivers; around the state, outside of the state. So that's definitely different. You have to keep really good notes to keep them separate. You watch 10-15 guys a day, if you don't take good notes, you'll get guys mixed up. That's been different, that's been a challenge, but it's also been fun. You see that there's really some talented football players here in the state and around in different areas. We just need to figure out how to tap into those kids and those areas and get them on campus and get them with us.
On his geographic area in the state and in the country he's been assigned…
Coach has assigned some areas like parts of Charlotte, parts of Atlanta. In Michigan, I definitely have the Flint area and the surrounding areas. But some parts of some of those states like Ohio; there's some guys that are assigned to Ohio. I think he's kind of assigning guys to areas that they are familiar with and that they have some connections from previous with coaches that are already there. Wherever he sends me, I'm going to go out and do my best to meet people and bring great kids to East Lansing.
On Jayden Reed…
Jayden is hungry. He had to sit out last year and he made the decision to transfer. We had a conversation as to why and he wanted to play at the highest level and compete against guys in the Big Ten. He's been working hard in the weight room and conditioning wise, getting his body and his mind right. I expect him to have a great year; he's a quick kid, he runs well, he has a nice burst, has nice top-end speed, so we'll just work to hone his skills as a receiver, work on some things; getting in and out of breaks, maintain separation and I think Jayden is going to be a huge surprise for Spartan Nation, the kid can play.
On who he heard congratulations from after being named the wide receivers coach…
Oh man, that's a whole another conversation that we could probably be on all day. I don't want to start naming names and slight anybody, but I'll tell you what, Spartan Nation and Spartan Dawgs are in my corner. A lot of my former coaches, almost every one that I can recall, called me. My phone rang…my phone probably ran continuously for about three or four days. In fact, my wife was like look, with all phone calls or text messages. That's all I did was respond and answer the phone. I received some great calls; I received some calls from a lot of people who are in my corner, who have been in my corner and it made me feel really…I don't even know how I felt, I just felt so supported from people in the Green and White. I received calls from people that literally, that I maybe met at one of the alumni games or at Homecoming or kind of met in passing, I got emails from, and I got phone calls from people that literally I had never met; they just called to tell me congratulations. My thing was how did you get my phone number – 'well, the Green and White sticks together, I just want to say congratulations.' It was just an outpouring of 'congratulations, we're behind you, if we can help you in any way don't hesitate to reach out.' It made getting this position even more special. You just don't know how much love you have until things like this happen. It's been great.
Over the last 25 years how much he has watched Michigan State and how Michigan State has continued relationships with Flint in football and basketball…
Ever since I first stepped on campus back in 1988, '89, I've pretty much watched everything Michigan State does every day. The relationship with Flint has been awesome; you had the era with the Flintstones, and Coach Izzo still has a huge presence in the city of Flint and when he comes to basketball games, that's one of the buzzes around town. With Michigan State football it's a little bit the same way, with me being from the area, I'm hoping to have more of a presence. I know there's some talent in the Flint area when it comes to football and definitely some great basketball players, but there's some guys that can flat out play football here in the area and surrounding areas. I'm planning to open those doors up and getting those guys to Michigan State and being able to have that same kind of connection that the basketball program has to the area.
On what Coach Perles would have said about him being back at MSU…
Coach Perles was one of the most influential men in my life. I absolutely love Coach Perles like a dad. The one thing he would do, most of the time when I saw Coach, even when his health was deteriorating, he would reach out and he would give me a hug. Coach and I had a great relationship. I remember him when I first decided to leave, he made me promise that at some point, 'you better get your degree.' I remember sitting in his office after my senior year and just the years when I would pop back up there, it would just be like I was still one of his players. Just a great individual; he cared about us all. We knew he cared, he showed you that he cared and he created some great men. I'll be forever thankful and grateful to Coach Perles and his family.
On Tre Mosley…
Tre right now is returning the most catches out of anybody in the room right now. He had an opportunity to get his feet wet last year. He did some things well, but he was young, youth showed. This year we'll concentrate on getting the game to slow down for him and the way you get the game to slow down is by understanding the offense and understanding the defense better; knowing your playbook inside and out. I've had conversations with Tre about I want him to be in better condition. I think the sky's the limit for Tre; he's a hard worker, he listens, he asks really good questions. I think he wants to be great, so he's going to put the work in. Like I said, we're going to have a lot of fun on the field, teaching and learning and we'll see the results on Saturday.
On Jalen Nailor…
I think Jalen has a great upside also. His nickname is 'Speedy,' so anybody with the nickname 'Speedy' should be able to run. We're looking to stretch the field, take some shots down the field. Just like Tre, kind of like I said earlier…We've got some youngsters in the room so we're going to focus on fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals, and just harp on that. Just get mentally and physically tough; get into the best shape of their lives. I think this group is going to surprise some people. We're going to do some things; we're going to work hard, create separation, give the quarterbacks some targets and go out and make plays. That's what receivers are supposed to do.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, September 24
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19
Monday, September 14