Erickson Introduced as Head Football Coach
January 12, 1999
MITCH BARNHART, OREGON STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
"Its a good day to be a Beaver. Its a lot of fun to have everybody in here today. I know weve got a couple folks here today, and I want to acknowledge them for what theyve done the past two years for us, and thats Mike and Dee Riley. Where are Mike and Dee? Theyre running around the back there somewhere ... thanks Mike and Dee. They helped get us to this point and we wish them well as they go forward."
"I want to thank you for coming today. Its an exciting time for Oregon State University. As we began the search for a new head coach, we drew up some criteria and sort of went through the process, and this is what we came up with:
"We were looking for somebody with head coaching experience, if possible. We were looking for someone with knowledge of the Northwest, and the West Coast in particular, for recruiting purposes. A commitment to maintain the same philosophy and personnel that this team currently enjoys in the way we have played the game the last two years. We wanted someone who could come in and take immediate control of what we had going in on our football program, get a staff up and running immediately, and recruit effectively for the last three weeks of this recruiting season. Most of all, we wanted someone to come in here and adhere to the five-point philosophy of our department, and youve heard me speak about that many times before. Mostly it revolves around all the different things of responsibility to the rules, commitment to run a first-class program for Oregon State, put it on the front page in a first-class way, be fiscally responsible, graduate our student-athletes, and the bottom line - a commitment to excellence in winning football games.
"Because of the timing of the coaching change, it was important we move quickly. I would like to thank the University and the friends of the Beavers who helped us move efficiently around - the jet was good - and to a successful conclusion.
"To the members of our team who are here, thank you for your efforts in 1998. It is time to move forward, and prepare for a new era in Oregon State football. Its time to get after it.
"As we searched the country for the right fit for OSU, we sought recommendations and advice from several people. In the end, we had a group of outstanding coaches to carry the Beavers into the next millenium. We have found a man who embodies the things we are looking for. We will make an investment today in Oregon State football, in Oregon State athletics, to keep the momentum alive that was generated in the Civil War in 1998 - that was a win, by the way.
"With this investment comes the realization from our players and fans to do their part to continue the resurgence of Oregon State athletics. The support necessary to succeed is imperative, and I encourage everyone to get on board now. Dont wait, the time is now.
"A few things about the guy were bringing on board. Hes got a commitment to academics. In his time at Miami, the last five-six years he was there, averaged a 72 percent graduation rate. Hes committed to the growth of his players on and off the field. Many of them are working in wonderful jobs all over the country. Hes committed to doing things in a first-class fashion and representing us the way we want to be represented; dhering to the rules of the NCAA and monitoring our program in a way we can all be proud of. And, by the way, he has a .740 winning percentage and two national championship rings hes going to bring up here with him. That aint bad.
"Im not going to take any more time. Hes a tough, experienced guy whos been through the rigors of football at every level, and were awfully glad to have as our football coach, please welcome Dennis Erickson."
(Dennis Erickson enters through large OSU helmet in rear of room as pep band plays OSU fight song)
DENNIS ERICKSON
"I knew I missed something about college football, and its right there - the excitement of it and all of that. Its a pleasure to be here, its a pleasure to have the opportunity to be the new coach at Oregon State. I would like to thank (OSU president) Paul Risser for giving me this opportunity, and Mitch ...
"Ive got one guy out there thats been a friend of mine for many, many years. I used to come to Oregon State and watch spring football as I was growing up through the ranks of coaching ... hes a guy I always admired. I look at those pictures up there, and believe me, I know the history of Oregon State. Earthquake Enyart, Vern Burke, Terry Baker, Steve Preece - all those guys, I know them. But the guy that is history, in my opinion, at Oregon State is (former head football coach) Dee Andros. Is he here? Wheres Dee? (Andros stands, is applauded). I tell you, youve lost some weight Dee, youre looking good. You cant go by the Great Pumpkin any more, no way.
"In the last couple weeks, a lot of things have happened to me in my career, obviously. Being with the Seahawks four years, it was a tremendous experience and I really felt we did an outstanding job there. Obviously, they made a decision to make a change, which was fine. In the last couple weeks, my family and I - which includes my wife and two sons, and my father and sisters are all up in Seattle - and and we kind of sat down and I kind of sat back and looked at what I wanted to do with my coaching career. Its a little different than the way some people go. Ive had the opportunity to go coach at the University of Idaho and the University of Wyoming and Washington State, the University of Miami, then the NFL ...
"So I sat down, and I said to my wife, What do we want to do now? Weve been there, weve done a lot of things, weve met great people in coaching and enjoyed all aspects of it. We sat down and made a decision that we really probably wanted to get back into college football. And the reason being the athletes, dealing with them, trying to help them in their lives, and teach them a lot of different things - teach them to win and do those kinds of things. We just felt that was the right fit for us right now in our careers. When I sat down and thought about it, that was the direction we were going to go in. There was maybe even sit out a year, or there was an opportunity then when Mike decided to take the Charger job and this thing opened. My wife and I talked about it. I talked to Mitch and called him and asked if I could talk to him. I think when I called him, he thought I was calling about recommending somebody else. Obviously, I wasnt.
"So we visited, and they came down to Seattle and we talked, and I really liked the direction things were going. The commitment by the president, how aggressive Mitch is and the athletic department, some of the things youve done with this building in the last couple years. The last time I was here, it wasnt quite like this. Hopefully, were going to get new turf out there (looking out on field, where old artificial turf was torn up by fans following season-ending Civil War win over Oregon). I dont think I want to play on that - I think it would be a heck of a home field advantage, youve just got to know where everything is at. So we visitied, and he offered me the job, and we talked about it a long time. We decided this is the place we want to be. Obviously, Im from the Northwest, though I spent time in Miami. We decided this is what we wanted to do; we wanted to come in and carry on the tradition that Mike has started, what hes done. Ive got to congratulate him; Ive watched his teams play about three times last year, some thrilling games. Obviously, the one the last game of the season was really thrilling. But I just enjoyed how they played, and the enthusiasm and how tough they played and how important football was - and it looked like they were having a heck of a lot of fun. Id like to congratulate Mike for what hes done here, and for his future in San Diego, good luck.
"I saw what was happening here, and I wanted to be a part of it. Thats why Im here. I want to continue to build this thing. We want to win football games, we want to get to the bowl games, we want to win the Pac-10; I mean, lets dont settle for little things. Lets start here, continue to work, and try to get to the top. Thats what athletes come here for, and thats why I want to be here. I want to be the best we can be at Oregon State - thats what its all about. And if I dont believe that, then nobody else is going to believe that. And I really believe that, or I wouldnt be standing here right now. Im excited about being here, Im excited about being in Corvallis, and were going to put a coaching staff together in the next four or five days, and recruiting ... theres so many darn things that weve got to deal with right now. Ive got to get to know the players, know their names, so theres a lot of work ahead of us. But again, I want to thank everybody for giving us this opportunity, and I promise I wont let you down. Lets go ahead and get after it and make this one of the best football programs in the country, and lets start right now.
"What Ill do is answer any questions the media might have, and I know youve got a lot of questions. (Makes false start off away from podium) Thank you very much. (Stops, goes back). This isnt my first barbecue. Ive dealt with this.
(What will it be like to go from the open wallet you had with owner Paul Allen of the Seattle Seahawks to working with budgets again and having those restrictions?) "I dont think thats a problem. Paul - I think he opened the wallet when Mike Holmgren went there. I dont remember that part of it. Obviously, its different. The budget - I havent been that far removed from it. When youre coaching at Idaho and Wyoming and Washington State, some of the places that Ive coached at, you deal within the budget; you deal within the budget and get things done. Theres no problem there."
(Talk a little about your assistants) "Ive got two Id like to introduce. First of all, a guy thats been my assistant head coach since 1982, and has been with me everyplace, and will continue to be in that capacity, born and raised in Idaho, and been with me - kind of my right-hand guy - Gregg Smith. Another guy thats with me right now played for me at the University of Idaho, and played with the Washington Redskins as a wide receiver/kick returner, has a Super Bowl ring for it. When we came here and played in, I think it was 1985, he caught two touchdown passes in the first half against Oregon State, then got kicked out of the game. So he wanted to come back and finish things up - Eric Yarber.
"As I think about that, I think it was in 1984 - Dee was it? When I interviewed for this job before, my hair was black, I didnt wear glasses ... things have changed over the years. I think Ive learned a lot, and hopefully am a lot more mature, though my wife questions that occasionally. Thats kind of how it is."
(Immediate goals - winning season? Bowl game?) "When you talk about goals, you sit down and talk about whats realistic. Again, I havent evaluated this team. As I said, I watched them play (on TV last fall). I saw in their eyes today, I know theyre excited about whats going on. We want to win football games. To put a number on that as a goal is really hard to do right now."
(Is a national championship here out of the question?) "In the future? Thats what we all play for. Lets see what happens. You take them one at a time, and I know these guys believe they can win, and theyve done that. I came here to be as good as we can be; as time goes on, well see what exactly its all about."
(Did Washington contact you at all?) "No - I coached at Washington State. For them to hire a Cougar is pretty dang tough."
(Is Oregon State a place you could see yourself ending your career?) Yeah, theres no question about that. Im fifty- ... Im 37 years old, getting older by the minute. Like I said, Ive been around in my career. Ive done a lot of things, and like I said in a conversation we had, Ive signed up. Im going to be here for five years and hopefully take this thing to the next level, and thats what its all about. Ive been in a number of different arenas, Ive done it all as far as that goes, and hopefully my signature will be to take this thing and continue to improve it like Mike did, and take it to another level. I know these players want to do that, too."
(Any more about your coaching staff?) Im going to interview members of this staff, then try to put a staff together. Obviously, there are some great coaches here. You dont do what you did last year here. I know the players have a lot of respect for the coaches here. Again, Im going to make decisions on that; Ive also got some coaches that have been with me a long time that I feel comfortable with. Its going to be a combination of some different things. I dont have a total answer for you yet as far as a staff."
(How hard was it to be unemployed for two weeks, and did you have any other job offers?) "I had some other opportunities, and I wont get into that. I had some other opportunities I the NFL. But, like I said, we decided this was the direction we wanted to go. How unemployment was for two weeks? I could never get used to that. I was home a lot. I was probably home more in the last two weeks than I had been in the last 15 years, and she got sick of me, so I had to get a job."
(How will it be to get back into recruiting?) "Recruitings not a problem. I love to recruit, I love to get into homes, I love to deal with players - thats why I came back in it. The one thing you all forget about is, in the NFL theyve got what you call free agency, and its recruiting. The only good thing is, you can pay them. Thats the difference. But I enjoyed that part of college coaching and being with people and the boosters - I enjoy those kinds of things. Normally, I let a booster call a play a game - as long as he gives 25 grand. So any of you want to give 25 grand, you can call any play you want. And usually, if were ahead, its that kneel-down play at the end of the game.
(Your feelings toward the Seattle Seahawks) "I had a tremendous experience there. I said this when they let me go - I thank Ken Behring, who hired me; and Bob Whitsitt and Paul Allen for giving me an opportunity. I have no hard feelings. They decided they wanted to go another way. When we inherited that thing, they were 2-14; we got it to where it was very respectable and I wish them luck. I hope they have success. Im not worried about them any longer, thats history. But I think I can give some information to our players about what its like playing in that league, and what its all about. It was a great experience for me, it was a learning experience, and Im glad I was there. Now Im glad Im here."
(Regarding the NCAA sanctions at Miami) "I was never implicated in anything like that. What the violations were at the University of Miami didnt involve anybody other than the PELL grant situation that was handled by a guy in the academic department. It was a federal offense - he was in jail two years because of it. Thats basically what it was all about. All the other stuff ... (pay for play, etc.) I think if you really look into it and study it, there wasnt anything to it other than that one thing."
(Did you have to lobby hard for this job, or did it fall into your lap?) "I called Mitch, and we talked, and Steve (Preece) was there, and Bob (DeCarolis, associate athletic director) was there. We had a nice conversation. We just talked about my philosophy. I was there two hours, I guess I lobbied when I was there. It was kind of a balanced thing, I think."
(How important was it for you to stay in the Northwest) "It was important to me to stay in the Northwest. When you get used to the rain, I mean, how can you live without it? What would you do? How could you operate?"
(What will you be doing the next day, the next week?) "Recruiting is the No. 1 priority for us right now. Ive got to sit down and see where were at in recruiting, what weve got to do. Thats the most important thing until the fourth of February signing date. Hopefully keep the guys who have already committed and see where were at, basically. Sit down with the coaches .. Ive sat down with Mike and talked a little about personnel and so forth to see where were at."
(Your offensive, defensive philosophy?) "Offensively, to throw it. Thats what Ive always done every place Ive been. To spread them out, do a lot of the same things they were doing here. Defensively, to pressure people, penetrate - a lot of things Greg (Newhouse) did here defensively. The philosophy, football-wise, wont change a lot."
(Did you think you had the job here in 1984?) "That was so long ago - I was what, 35 years old? I thought I was invincible. Yeah, I did, and I cant remember what happened. I think Dee wanted me - at least youd better admit that now, Dee - and it just didnt happen. Thats a long time ago."
(Your sense of the Oregon State-Oregon rivalry) "Ive been in a lot of rivalries in my coaching career, starting with Idaho and Boise State; Washington and Washington State; Miami and Florida State ... and Oregon State and Oregon is the Civil War, Ive watched it for years. I know the battle. I watched it this year. Thats what its all about - thats what football is all about, rivalries and things like that. Thats what excites you. Im looking forward to that game. I know these guys are pretty darned proud of what happened in that last one, now weve just got to keep it going."
(You were at Wyoming one year, at Washington State two years - is the fact that youve now reached the top by winning national championships, going to the NFL - are you much more likely to stay here longer?) "Theres no question about that. What happens in your career - youve seen it here - at Idaho, I was there four years; I went to Wyoming for a year, and the opportunity came to get into the Pac-10. Sometimes, those opportunities dont come very often, so you look at them and take them. As Mike said, They cross your plate or something like that. So then I was at Washington State for two years; that was a place I really wanted to be, but all of a sudden youve got an opportunity to go somewhere at that time in my career where you could win a national championship. So I made that move, then to the NFL. Again, maybe you mature, you get experienced, you know what your goals are, you know what you feel good about doing ... to answer your question, yes.
"Like I said earlier, Im excited about Oregon State University, Im excited about the players, and hopefully Im here for a long time. Thats a two-way street, too. Regardless of what anybody says, weve got to win some games, too. Thats what its all about. I wasnt born yesterday, Ill guarantee you that."
"Anything else? I appreciate your patience. Like I said, Im so excited to be at Oregon State - lets get some things going, lets sell some season tickets. I think thats important. Thank you."
INTERVIEW WITH SMALLER GROUP OF REPORTERS
(How did this come to be?) "He called me Friday and returned my call. Like I said, I think he called because he thought I wanted to recommend somebody, and I said Im interested in talking to you. So he was going to go back to Corvallis, then he called me about 11 oclock Friday night and we met Saturday morning (at the Roosevelt Hotel)."
(Greg McMackin a possibility for coaching staff?) "Greg had already made a commitment to Hawaii when I had no idea I was going to be involved in this job. I talked to him on the phone the other day, but hes already made a commitment to work for June (Jones)."
(Have you talked to any of Mike Rileys assistants who are still here?) "I havent. Thats what Im going to do the next couple days. I just got in here last night, so Ive been kind of busy. I know a lot of them - I know Gilly (Jim Gilstrap) and a lot of the coaches."
(Why Oregon State?) Oregon State opened, obviously. Thats part of it. And it was in the Northwest. Sometimes, different things motivate you. The thing that motivates me here the most is, they havent won since when, 1971? (actually 1970). Thats a possibility, to put your signature on something like that excites me right now. Seeing what theyve done facility-wise, the new president - there are some positive things. And to watch them play, to see what Mikes done - its a little different than in 1984. Theyre trying to get it done, theyve made a commitment to do it, so that really excites me."
(What OSU games did you see?) The UCLA game, the Husky game, the Civil War."
(So this could be the Kansas State of the West?) Everybody says that, but Im trying to figure out he how (Bill Snyder) did it. Thats really an amazing story. But everybody says that, everybody thats trying to build a program, lets pattern it after Kansas State.
(Any recruits this weekend?) "We need to get them in, but I havent talked to anybody about that yet."
(How much contact so far with OSU players?) "I met with them this morning at 7. (Take roll?) No - I have to take roll of myself at 7. I just talked to them and introduced myself, more than anything. Were going to have another meeting here in a week or so where well talk about the off-season program and some of the things well do. I just talked to them about some of the things I expected and some of the things that are important right now like going to class, getting into the off-season program, helping us with recruiting are basically the three things we talked about."
(Did you sense excitement among players?) "Youd have to ask them that. Its hard to sense things like that. I think theyre excited to play football, it looked like that when I watched them play."
(In the three OSU games you saw, what did you see that youd keep intact or change?) "I think offensively, they were doing about what Ive been doing for 20 years. Were probably, in 1982 at Idaho, in a one-back before anybody else in the country. Were going to do some of those same things. Ill look at film - Mikes an awfully good coach. Defensively, some of the pressure things they did - so its exciting to look at that stuff. Until I look at the video, I really dont know. All I know is, those games were exciting."
(Did you talk to Mike Riley about his impressions of the University?) "I never talked to him before I took the job. I talked to him today."
