Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Update: Running Backs Coach William Peagler Media Teleconference Transcript
4/15/2020 3:56:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State running backs coach William Peagler answered questions from reporters on a media teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. Peagler talked about his initial impressions of working with the Spartan running backs, his coaching background, and why he's excited to be at Michigan State.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Running Backs Coach William Peagler
On the running back group and his time here so far...
I think my initial impressions of Michigan State is just the love for the football in the community and the University. You can really feel it when you drive around town, I thought that really stood out initially upon arriving. I went to a couple restaurants and immediately they recognized me, I guess maybe from some things publicly, and that type of thing and just told me how excited they were about our staff being here.
As far as the running back room, I obviously haven't had a lot of opportunity to see those guys on the field, but been really impressed with their mental makeup being in the meetings with them. Guys are locked in, they are asking the right type of questions. I think schematically, we are getting a lot better in understanding what we are trying to accomplish. Obviously, I watched a little bit of film on those guys upon getting here. I think they are a talented group, I really do. I think they are one of the better groups that's here on the football team. They are made of the right stuff. Obviously, Elijah (Collins) got a lot of carries last year, Anthony's (Williams) played a lot of football, and Connor (Heyward). You got a good group, good nucleus. Brandon (Wright) played a little last year. Just the right type of kids, that really stands out to me more than anything.
On who he leans to being a young coach and relating to the players...
Actually, Coach (Mike) Tressel and I have spoke on the phone, he's been very helpful in helping me in the Ohio area with recruiting and just giving me right advice on the right coaches and keeping in contact with those guys and building those relationships. I lean on Coach (Jay) Johnson a lot. I've been around Coach (Jay) Johnson, I think this is our sixth year together. He's a guy that I look up to, he does things the right way. I guess the other thing that stands out to me, I know age-wise, as far as the experience piece, a lot of people see me as a young coach, but I really don't think I'm a young coach. I've been coaching since I was in college as an undergrad at Clemson. So, I've been coaching since I was I think I was 20 years old. Maybe in terms of the Division I experience I'm a little limited, but I think I am pretty experienced because I've been in all type of different situations and worked with a lot of good football coaches that I've leaned on through the years. The inexperience piece doesn't really concern me just because I think I am ready and I think I've been around the right people. I think ultimately, I'm ready. Obviously, I kind of speak the same language as some of the kids, especially in the recruiting process because I am a little younger. Some of the things I'm interested in, they are interested in. Kids make fun of me all the time in the running back room, like 'you need to get some Jordan's or something man,' and I'm like 'well y'all pick them out and I'll get them.' (laughing) It's fun, being able to relate to those guys. That's probably a better question for some of our players when you guys get the chance to see them again, but I think I do relate to them and I think being in a similar time frame in our lives, we do some things. It wasn't that long ago I was in college, so I think some of the things I've done right, and some of the things I've done wrong.
On title and duties at Colorado and what he got from that and following Tucker...
Without getting too specific on what led me to the running back deal, I was working with the quarterbacks; quality control there, where we really can't coach the players, but I was in all the meetings. We had a situation come up where Coach (Mel) Tucker and Coach (Jay) Johnson decided to move me on the field and I coached the running backs throughout all the fall camp, and the first four games of the season. I was able to go out on the road and recruit, and I think Coach Tucker was able to see me in a little different light, being able to go out and recruit and what I took away from the players. He got to see me in position meetings with those guys, teaching, developing and doing all those things on the field. We played a lot of young kids at Colorado last year, I don't think we had a single senior in the running back room. I think the oldest guy was actually a sophomore, so he got to see me develop those guys and I think put a pretty productive product on the field. Ultimately, why I came here, you guys have met him already and talked to him, I mean Coach Tucker kind of sells himself, he's real, truthful, he tells it like it is, there's not a lot of fuss with him, and I appreciate that. I was obviously at Georgia with him and he's the same guy he was back then that he is today. Nothing's changed, he's relentless. He says that quote a lot, but he is high velocity and about what he talks about. I think when you're around him and our players are around him, you feel that, and it's easy to get on board with him and support him. The ultimate piece in this whole thing is recruiting. People talk about recruiting every day, and he lives it. He is constantly recruiting, it never ends, it never ends, it never ends. It's hard to not want to work for a guy like that. He makes it easy and I'm proud to call him a friend and I'm excited about the future here.
On what he takes from variety of experiences he's had and getting to where he is today...
It's so many different things. I think in any profession, as you are growing in the profession, you take little things that you learn here and there and you kind of apply them to what works best for you. I've been so fortunate; I didn't play college football, but I was a student assistant at Clemson for four years. I was a GA at UL-Lafayette with Mitch Rodrigue, I coached tight ends at Valdosta State. I got to learn from Kirby Smart, Tracy Claeys when I was at Minnesota and different people. I think you take different pieces from each of those coaches and apply it to your career. I think ultimately, that kind of shapes who you are as a coach, learning from all those people, because no one is going to be successful unless they are around the right type of people and I feel like I have been around the right type of people and have learned little things from each, and that's kind of turned me into what I am now. I think the ultimate thing that I've learned in this profession is you always have to be ready when your opportunity comes and I think part of why I'm sitting here right now is because I was ready when my opportunity came at Colorado and I proved to Coach Tucker that I was ready.
On what he learned being a student assistant at Clemson and from Dabo Swinney...
I actually got to witness the transition from Coach Bowden to Coach Swinney. My last year was Coach Swinney's first year as the head football coach. He was the receivers coach and I knew him obviously in that role. Probably the number one thing I learned from Coach Swinney is be true to who you are. You watch him publicly, what you see is truly what you get. A lot of coaches, I feel like, kind of try to put out a facade of something that they are not. But he's very truthful and when he says family he means it. I mean I think he coached his kids' little league team when I was there. Two of his kids are playing football there now. But the best thing I learned from Coach Swinney is be true to who you are and to get to know the people involved at all levels. People talk about relationships, but you actually have to build a relationship. It starts even in the recruiting process, a lot of times once kids sign with you, the relationships stop, and it shouldn't. That's whenever you should expand the relationship even more. Probably again, going back to Coach Swinney, the thing I've learned the most is relationships matter and be true to who you are.
On Connor Heyward and where he could fit in...
I wish I could answer that question and say yes we've gotten into it, but we really haven't. The thought right now is for him to play running back. He's been unbelievable in the meetings, on Zoom and all that stuff as far as understanding his role, understanding what we are trying to do schematically. He's one of the sharpest guys in the room. We talk about our six-man protection, he can answer any question. I actually had him teach the class the other day, him and Elijah (Collins) taught our protections to the entire room, and he did a heck of a job. I can't pigeon-hole him into saying he is only a running back, the only thing I've seen is the guy can catch the football, he can be multiple. But, as of right now, the plan is running back, but if we find he can help us in different ways, we're going to do that. Ultimately, we've got to be multiple, we've got to be able to create issues for the defense. If he's one of the best 11, Coach Johnson probably talked about it when he talked to you guys. It's all about finding the best 11 to put on the field. Whether that's two backs, whether that's two tight ends, whether that's three receivers. Whatever that 11th best player is, we have to find a way to get him on the field and if Connor (Heyward) is that guy, he'll be on the field.
On approaching the running backs with a lot of guys in the same class and considering redshirting any of them...
Yeah, that's a good question. As far as the redshirting piece, that's something I would probably leave up to Coach Tucker or Coach Johnson and myself as we talk about it. Just trying to find out what is best for our football team long term. We are in a position, especially on the front end here, that we got to get the best players on the field however we can. And if that's all three of those sophomores, we are going to find a way to do that. But it is unique to have that many guys in the same class. Again, the best players are going to play and we're going to do everything we can. Maybe that's putting two of those guys on the field at the same time. I don't know how much that's been done here previously, but if that's what we have to do to be successful, we're going to do it.
On Elijah Collins and what he sees from him...
I actually got to a chance...what I did before I came here, is I watched everyone's high school highlights and all that stuff. You can see on the tape with Elijah (Collins), that he was an athletic kid. The thing that stood out to me is how much weight, how much bigger and thicker he's gotten over the last year and during the season, you could see him get better over the portion of the year, and I think that's a credit to him taking care of his body and doing the right things off the field. He's a great kid, that's the first thing that stands out to me about him is he's a phenomenal kid, and he works his butt off. When kids work their butt off and they have talent, good things are going to happen and I think he's a perfect example of that. As far as his development, I'm hoping to continue that development and I do think there are some things that he can improve on. As far as the player he is right now, he's exactly where he needs to be and want to keep pushing to get a little bit better.
On recruiting at his previous stops and how that's helped him to now...
Yeah, really the only limitations you have from a GA/QC standpoint in recruiting is you can't go out on the road and recruit. That's probably the piece that I've been missing as far as, at least what perception wise, people think. I coached junior college football at Coffeyville Community College and I coached at Jones Junior College and I coached at Valdosta State, so I've got the experience going on the road and getting to see all these coaches and going through that whole process. But the thing at Georgia, Georgia was the best example, the best move I ever made in my career was being a GA at Georgia. What I learned was that recruiting is everything. Obviously we want to develop our program and all that and we're going to develop the kids and all that stuff, but if you don't recruit good players, you've got no chance. Coach Smart, he's phenomenal in a lot of different ways, but the thing that stood out to me the most is you have to recruit every single second of every single day. That's the best thing I've learned from the last 15 years, is you have to recruit.
On what geographical areas he has now in recruiting...
I have northern Michigan, west Akron, western part of Cleveland. Western PA (Pennsylvania) and then north Atlanta are kind of the areas that are kind of scripted out for me. But also, I'm going to go anywhere to recruit a running back. The good thing for us, is we have some really good football players right here in our state, as far as running backs are concerned, so I don't think I'm going to have to go very far to get them. But hopefully, if I have to, I'm going to go anywhere in the country to get them because there's no limits to what we can accomplish here at Michigan State. This place sells itself. It's one of the rare schools...you know, the term running back U gets thrown around kind of loosely, but Michigan State can make an argument to be one of those top 10 programs as far as production at the running back position in the last 15 to 20 years.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Running Backs Coach William Peagler
On the running back group and his time here so far...
I think my initial impressions of Michigan State is just the love for the football in the community and the University. You can really feel it when you drive around town, I thought that really stood out initially upon arriving. I went to a couple restaurants and immediately they recognized me, I guess maybe from some things publicly, and that type of thing and just told me how excited they were about our staff being here.
As far as the running back room, I obviously haven't had a lot of opportunity to see those guys on the field, but been really impressed with their mental makeup being in the meetings with them. Guys are locked in, they are asking the right type of questions. I think schematically, we are getting a lot better in understanding what we are trying to accomplish. Obviously, I watched a little bit of film on those guys upon getting here. I think they are a talented group, I really do. I think they are one of the better groups that's here on the football team. They are made of the right stuff. Obviously, Elijah (Collins) got a lot of carries last year, Anthony's (Williams) played a lot of football, and Connor (Heyward). You got a good group, good nucleus. Brandon (Wright) played a little last year. Just the right type of kids, that really stands out to me more than anything.
On who he leans to being a young coach and relating to the players...
Actually, Coach (Mike) Tressel and I have spoke on the phone, he's been very helpful in helping me in the Ohio area with recruiting and just giving me right advice on the right coaches and keeping in contact with those guys and building those relationships. I lean on Coach (Jay) Johnson a lot. I've been around Coach (Jay) Johnson, I think this is our sixth year together. He's a guy that I look up to, he does things the right way. I guess the other thing that stands out to me, I know age-wise, as far as the experience piece, a lot of people see me as a young coach, but I really don't think I'm a young coach. I've been coaching since I was in college as an undergrad at Clemson. So, I've been coaching since I was I think I was 20 years old. Maybe in terms of the Division I experience I'm a little limited, but I think I am pretty experienced because I've been in all type of different situations and worked with a lot of good football coaches that I've leaned on through the years. The inexperience piece doesn't really concern me just because I think I am ready and I think I've been around the right people. I think ultimately, I'm ready. Obviously, I kind of speak the same language as some of the kids, especially in the recruiting process because I am a little younger. Some of the things I'm interested in, they are interested in. Kids make fun of me all the time in the running back room, like 'you need to get some Jordan's or something man,' and I'm like 'well y'all pick them out and I'll get them.' (laughing) It's fun, being able to relate to those guys. That's probably a better question for some of our players when you guys get the chance to see them again, but I think I do relate to them and I think being in a similar time frame in our lives, we do some things. It wasn't that long ago I was in college, so I think some of the things I've done right, and some of the things I've done wrong.
On title and duties at Colorado and what he got from that and following Tucker...
Without getting too specific on what led me to the running back deal, I was working with the quarterbacks; quality control there, where we really can't coach the players, but I was in all the meetings. We had a situation come up where Coach (Mel) Tucker and Coach (Jay) Johnson decided to move me on the field and I coached the running backs throughout all the fall camp, and the first four games of the season. I was able to go out on the road and recruit, and I think Coach Tucker was able to see me in a little different light, being able to go out and recruit and what I took away from the players. He got to see me in position meetings with those guys, teaching, developing and doing all those things on the field. We played a lot of young kids at Colorado last year, I don't think we had a single senior in the running back room. I think the oldest guy was actually a sophomore, so he got to see me develop those guys and I think put a pretty productive product on the field. Ultimately, why I came here, you guys have met him already and talked to him, I mean Coach Tucker kind of sells himself, he's real, truthful, he tells it like it is, there's not a lot of fuss with him, and I appreciate that. I was obviously at Georgia with him and he's the same guy he was back then that he is today. Nothing's changed, he's relentless. He says that quote a lot, but he is high velocity and about what he talks about. I think when you're around him and our players are around him, you feel that, and it's easy to get on board with him and support him. The ultimate piece in this whole thing is recruiting. People talk about recruiting every day, and he lives it. He is constantly recruiting, it never ends, it never ends, it never ends. It's hard to not want to work for a guy like that. He makes it easy and I'm proud to call him a friend and I'm excited about the future here.
On what he takes from variety of experiences he's had and getting to where he is today...
It's so many different things. I think in any profession, as you are growing in the profession, you take little things that you learn here and there and you kind of apply them to what works best for you. I've been so fortunate; I didn't play college football, but I was a student assistant at Clemson for four years. I was a GA at UL-Lafayette with Mitch Rodrigue, I coached tight ends at Valdosta State. I got to learn from Kirby Smart, Tracy Claeys when I was at Minnesota and different people. I think you take different pieces from each of those coaches and apply it to your career. I think ultimately, that kind of shapes who you are as a coach, learning from all those people, because no one is going to be successful unless they are around the right type of people and I feel like I have been around the right type of people and have learned little things from each, and that's kind of turned me into what I am now. I think the ultimate thing that I've learned in this profession is you always have to be ready when your opportunity comes and I think part of why I'm sitting here right now is because I was ready when my opportunity came at Colorado and I proved to Coach Tucker that I was ready.
On what he learned being a student assistant at Clemson and from Dabo Swinney...
I actually got to witness the transition from Coach Bowden to Coach Swinney. My last year was Coach Swinney's first year as the head football coach. He was the receivers coach and I knew him obviously in that role. Probably the number one thing I learned from Coach Swinney is be true to who you are. You watch him publicly, what you see is truly what you get. A lot of coaches, I feel like, kind of try to put out a facade of something that they are not. But he's very truthful and when he says family he means it. I mean I think he coached his kids' little league team when I was there. Two of his kids are playing football there now. But the best thing I learned from Coach Swinney is be true to who you are and to get to know the people involved at all levels. People talk about relationships, but you actually have to build a relationship. It starts even in the recruiting process, a lot of times once kids sign with you, the relationships stop, and it shouldn't. That's whenever you should expand the relationship even more. Probably again, going back to Coach Swinney, the thing I've learned the most is relationships matter and be true to who you are.
On Connor Heyward and where he could fit in...
I wish I could answer that question and say yes we've gotten into it, but we really haven't. The thought right now is for him to play running back. He's been unbelievable in the meetings, on Zoom and all that stuff as far as understanding his role, understanding what we are trying to do schematically. He's one of the sharpest guys in the room. We talk about our six-man protection, he can answer any question. I actually had him teach the class the other day, him and Elijah (Collins) taught our protections to the entire room, and he did a heck of a job. I can't pigeon-hole him into saying he is only a running back, the only thing I've seen is the guy can catch the football, he can be multiple. But, as of right now, the plan is running back, but if we find he can help us in different ways, we're going to do that. Ultimately, we've got to be multiple, we've got to be able to create issues for the defense. If he's one of the best 11, Coach Johnson probably talked about it when he talked to you guys. It's all about finding the best 11 to put on the field. Whether that's two backs, whether that's two tight ends, whether that's three receivers. Whatever that 11th best player is, we have to find a way to get him on the field and if Connor (Heyward) is that guy, he'll be on the field.
On approaching the running backs with a lot of guys in the same class and considering redshirting any of them...
Yeah, that's a good question. As far as the redshirting piece, that's something I would probably leave up to Coach Tucker or Coach Johnson and myself as we talk about it. Just trying to find out what is best for our football team long term. We are in a position, especially on the front end here, that we got to get the best players on the field however we can. And if that's all three of those sophomores, we are going to find a way to do that. But it is unique to have that many guys in the same class. Again, the best players are going to play and we're going to do everything we can. Maybe that's putting two of those guys on the field at the same time. I don't know how much that's been done here previously, but if that's what we have to do to be successful, we're going to do it.
On Elijah Collins and what he sees from him...
I actually got to a chance...what I did before I came here, is I watched everyone's high school highlights and all that stuff. You can see on the tape with Elijah (Collins), that he was an athletic kid. The thing that stood out to me is how much weight, how much bigger and thicker he's gotten over the last year and during the season, you could see him get better over the portion of the year, and I think that's a credit to him taking care of his body and doing the right things off the field. He's a great kid, that's the first thing that stands out to me about him is he's a phenomenal kid, and he works his butt off. When kids work their butt off and they have talent, good things are going to happen and I think he's a perfect example of that. As far as his development, I'm hoping to continue that development and I do think there are some things that he can improve on. As far as the player he is right now, he's exactly where he needs to be and want to keep pushing to get a little bit better.
On recruiting at his previous stops and how that's helped him to now...
Yeah, really the only limitations you have from a GA/QC standpoint in recruiting is you can't go out on the road and recruit. That's probably the piece that I've been missing as far as, at least what perception wise, people think. I coached junior college football at Coffeyville Community College and I coached at Jones Junior College and I coached at Valdosta State, so I've got the experience going on the road and getting to see all these coaches and going through that whole process. But the thing at Georgia, Georgia was the best example, the best move I ever made in my career was being a GA at Georgia. What I learned was that recruiting is everything. Obviously we want to develop our program and all that and we're going to develop the kids and all that stuff, but if you don't recruit good players, you've got no chance. Coach Smart, he's phenomenal in a lot of different ways, but the thing that stood out to me the most is you have to recruit every single second of every single day. That's the best thing I've learned from the last 15 years, is you have to recruit.
On what geographical areas he has now in recruiting...
I have northern Michigan, west Akron, western part of Cleveland. Western PA (Pennsylvania) and then north Atlanta are kind of the areas that are kind of scripted out for me. But also, I'm going to go anywhere to recruit a running back. The good thing for us, is we have some really good football players right here in our state, as far as running backs are concerned, so I don't think I'm going to have to go very far to get them. But hopefully, if I have to, I'm going to go anywhere in the country to get them because there's no limits to what we can accomplish here at Michigan State. This place sells itself. It's one of the rare schools...you know, the term running back U gets thrown around kind of loosely, but Michigan State can make an argument to be one of those top 10 programs as far as production at the running back position in the last 15 to 20 years.
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