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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Dave Rader Meets With Media
2/5/2010 | Football
New Ole Miss co-offensive coordinator Dave Rader had his first meeting with the local media Friday morning at the Indoor Practice Facility on campus.
Opening Statement
The obvious thing is that we are very excited about being here. This is something that Janet and I are looking forward to. If she could be here, she would have been here yesterday. We get a little bit particular in doing what we do. I try to hold to this bar of being around good people, having a chance to win and coaching quarterbacks. I like to do those three things. About the only thing that would supplant that is being the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. If they called, I wouldn't have to coach quarterbacks there. I would still have good people and a chance to win. That's what is really intriguing about this place. Looking back over the years and crossing paths with Coach (Houston) Nutt every now and then, I knew the kind of person he is. Playing against him, I knew the kind of teams he coaches and brings together. Those are all very positive. Then being over here two times to play and sensing the Ole Miss spirit, it was really a no brainer. This is a great opportunity. We really want to supplement what is going on here.
Q: When did you decided to get back in coaching?
A: There is an itch there. For the last three seasons, I have not called a bad play from my coach or used a timeout incorrectly. I see why talk radio is so popular. Tulsa is our home. Our parents are there - it is just a good place. We have always had an itch to be involved in politics in Oklahoma. There were some people that asked me to run, but there were never enough green lights to go ahead and do that. Yes, there is always that itch to coach. While we were there, I turned down three positions and didn't think that those were the right things to go do. This one had everything that we wanted. We really felt like this is what we are supposed to do. That is kind of how it came about. Yes, there is a lot going on (in Oklahoma), but there is a lot going on here. We are just proud to be a part of it and honored to be a part of it.
Q: How do you see your chemistry with the staff?
A: I am anxious to find out. I've been here less than a week and came in at the end of recruiting when things were buzzing all over the office. There is chemistry amongst this staff which is here, and I for sure don't want to come in and dissolve that chemistry. I am intrigued by that chemistry and want to be a part of it. We haven't formally had a staff meeting. It has just been talking with them up and down the halls. I feel good about that. As far as the players go, I have talked to Nathan (Stanley) and Raymond (Cotton) a couple of times. Hopefully we are building that chemistry.
Q: Does it matter to you to share the offensive coordinator responsibilities?
A: That is a TBD - too be determined. I have no problems with it. Just from what our conversations have been, I really don't anticipate a problem. I've always tried to stay issue-oriented in discussions. I will be totally surprised if this staff is personality oriented, because the head coach isn't that way. The head coach is all about winning. This group just wants to win the next game. I really don't think it's going to be a problem.
Q: Any concerns about being out of the game for a few years?
A: I don't think so. While I was out, coaching friends would send me DVDs and I would get to watch the games. For the first two years in Oklahoma we were on ESPN Gameplan, which was great because you can watch football all day. I really felt like I saw more of what was going on around the country than when I was coaching. When I was coaching, I would just see what was going on around our conference. I was also involved in media, so that allowed me to go to games and see what was going on. I don't think there is a tremendous drop off. I've been extremely pleased with what all has come back to me this week. It's been really good. I really don't feel like there has been a pause at all. We are going to learn the Ole Miss system.
Q: What do you think about the team's current quarterbacks?
A: I talked to Randall (Mackey) after he signed. They all seem like nice young men. I am a little bit more familiar with Nathan, being from Oklahoma and knowing his coaches. When they walk in the door, you say, 'that is what they are supposed to look like.' They are really young and we've got to get going.
Q: What are the different demands with young quarterbacks?
A: They don't know me and I don't know them. We are just going to start with a blank board. I'm just going to throw them everything that I know. We are going to write it all down, and go after it. When we have been together for a year or two, they can go back to the board and remember something they need to do. We call that maturity. The maturity of the quarterback is essential to the maturity of the offense. We are on the clock. We are going to have to mature a lot and that clock is running. I'm really looking forward to spring football. This spring is going to be critical.
Q: What did you learn from your years at Alabama?
A: I learned that the kids are resilient, they bounce back and they really want to win. That is not the way you want to start (on probation). I learned a lot from Coach (Mike) Shula because he never once said that we were shorthanded. We knew we had to win.
Q: Is there an advantage for the quarterbacks to keep the same system?
A: That is a tremendous advantage. Raymond just ran a little of this offense in the Cotton Bowl practices. Most of the time, he was the opposition's quarterback for our defense. He is excited about running our stuff. Nathan has run it, but now he has the opportunity to get more reps and can really grow at the position. I just sense from them that they are really chomping at the bit to take snaps and become better at the position. I really feel that from them.
Q: What do you know about Mike Markuson?
A: I know quite a bit from just playing against him. He is known in the profession to be a very solid coach. He doesn't give up many sacks and is good in the run game. I am very much looking forward to coaching with him. His guys always play well.
Q: Where do you see yourself fitting in as a recruiter?
A: That's being worked out, as far as where I am going to go. I'm going to concentrate on quarterbacks. I'm not real sure in what area I will be. (Recruiting) is part of the job that I am looking forward to. I really enjoy meeting parents and the young guys. When you have a good product to sell, it is a lot of fun. I didn't realize all of this was here before I walked in. The campus and facilities, along with our head coach - that is a pretty good package to offer. I am looking forward to that.
