RedHawk Chatter with Coach Peter Vaas

 Coach Peter Vaas

LIVE CHAT WITH MIAMI COACH PETER VAAS

Coach Vaas is in his first season as Miami football's offensive coordinator. He'll be available to answer your questions about the RedHawks Wednesday from 11:30-12 noon. Questions submitted prior to the start of the chat will be considered first.

MURedHawks.com: Good morning, everyone! We're just about ready to begin ... send us your questions!

Sven (Richmond): Coach, How do you pronounce your last name

Coach Vaas: It's difficult to type it, but phonetically, it VAHHHHS

Phil (Cincinnati): Coach, welcome to Oxford. Are you an on-field OC or a press box OC?

Coach Vaas: Historically, I have been on the field, but just like every game is different, this coaching situation is different. Right now, my plans are to be in the box.

john oxford: How is the offense looking so far in spring camp?

Coach Vaas: We are a work in progress. And actually we will even install some new things today, but on a daily basis we can see positive strides being made.

Dan Ferrell in Wilmington NC: Last year's offense seemed to disappear frequently inside the Red Zone. Is that an area of concern for this season and, if so, what plans do you have to address the problem?

Coach Vaas: There are certain areas and phases of the game upon which you put a daily emphasis ... ball protection, converting third downs, blitz pickup, and RedZone productivity are always major areas of concern that get addressed on a consistent basis.

eric (denver): What mix between running and passing do you envision for the 2009 season?

Coach Vaas: This question is going to be much better answered in the future. But, as the spring unfolds, we are discovering who our playmakers are. And our objective will be to emphasize personnel matchups and get the ball into the hands of our playmakers. Whether that be through the running game or passing game will dictate what our percentages turn out to be.

John, Akron OH: Coach: Wide-open spread offense or more ball control in 2009?

Coach Vaas: I know that to be successful as a football team you have to run with the football. That does not necessarily mean you have to run it, but I also know that teams that are physical offensively tend to run the ball very well. To win, you have to have big plays. Most of these occur on the perimeter or in the air. So, in the long run, we want to create big plays, but we also want to have the ability to be physical.

MrG/Middletown: What five words would express the new vision for the offense? Smashmouth? Faster and Smarter? Trickier? etc? Explain your vision and Coach H's here please.

Coach Vaas: Consistent. Physical. Unpredictable. I'm not smart enough to come up with five words, but those are three and in the long run we want to be multiple in order to take advantage of all of our personnel.

Tom (Dayton): Traditionally Tuesday or Wednesday are hitting days in practice. You focus on chutes, 1's on 1's hamburger, pass pro, full line, and then massive repetition vs a live real hitting scout team. When I come back this season, will I see a return to a hitting culture - a little bit of the ultra violence?

Coach Vaas: Tuesdays and Wednesdays will continue to be heavy workdays. And a lot of how much hitting takes place will depend upon the health and depth of your football team and the time of the year it is.

MrG/Middletown: Does the idea of UC having 10 new D starters this coming year make you a bit excited to face them and get the Bell back?

Coach Vaas: The tradition of the Bell is one of the country's more outstanding traditions. And any time you have an opportunity to participate in a game like that, it is exciting and motivational. And one we anxiously look forward to.

Mark, Cincinnati: Any chance we'll see an I-formation this year?

Coach Vaas: Part of being npreudictable, there's always a chance of anything. From the I formation to no backs and no tight ends in the game at all.

Phil (Cincinnati): Coach, welcome to Miami. I was wondering about your thoughts on the QBs on the roster - strengths/weaknesses and how it will affect your playcalling. Are QBs Raudabaugh and Clayton the likely duo battling for the top job?

Coach Vaas: One of the things that's exciting about being a new coaching staff is everybody starts on ground zero. Who emerges as the quarterback will certainly have an effect on what we look like offensively. We will be as multiple or as simple as the QB who gives us the best chance to win allows us to be.

MrG/Middletown: Coach Vaas, first Welcome to the Miami Tradition. How are our RB's adapting to the new O that has a FB in it? Will we use FB strong or weak side on QB or a regular blocking back opposite the FB?

Coach Vaas: The running back position, like every other skilled position, is not only in competition with themselves, but also in competition with the thought process of the coaching staff. In other words, do we play with two running backs, one tight end, and two wide receivers, or do we play with one running back, two TEs, and two receivers. Or do we play with four wide receivers, and one running back. Or any other combination. These are some of the competitive questions we are trying to come to grips with this spring.

Phil (Cincinnati): It seems like there is a ton of skill players waiting to be cultivated on your side of the ball? Anybody really jump out at you early?

Coach Vaas: One of the things we are looking for as a coaching staff is consistency. In other words, can I expect a steady performance on a daily basis? We are not looking for tremendous highs and disappointing lows. So, on a daily basis, we are not getting excited about any one individual. We will totally evaluate at the end of Fall camp.

Joe (Dayton): You lost 3 tights ends last season. How do we look for the upcoming season at the TE position?

Coach Vaas: YOUNG!!! But they are working and improving on a daily basis. They need to mature quickly.

Jordan (Cincinnati): Where do you feel this years offensive line currently stands and how are they adjusting to the new scheme your implimenting with Coach Haywood? Do you believe we can control the line of scrimmage?

Coach Vaas: Like all the position groups, our offensive line is making steady progress and gives us reason to be optimistic about what can happen in the fall.

MURedHawks.com: We've got about five minutes left.

Tom (Dayton): What are your thoughts on recruiting interior lineman? Do you prefer guys that also play basketball or are high school tight ends or do you prefer guys that have wrestling backgrounds that already play inside?

Coach Vaas: You look for a variety of things when considering linemen. An explosive first step, size, tenacity, balance, and an ability to move their feet. And we really don't care where they come from.

Nick (Dayton): I know each coach has his own recruiting area. However, has Coach Haywood considered assigning each coach to a particular recruiting area in Ohio for the times when out of state travel is not possible?

Coach Vaas: I believe that all nine assistant coaches have been assigned an area in Ohio.

RedHawkRick: How does having an OC benefit a head coach?

Coach Vaas: This question would be best answered by Coach Haywood, but I would suggest that having an offensive coordinator that follows a general outline from the head coach allows the OC to get very specificv, and the head coach to oversee all facets of the program, on and off the field.

Chris (Cleveland): What were some of the factors in your decision to come coach at Miami?

Coach Vaas: A strong belief in Coach Haywood and the tremendous reputation of Miami University.

Chris (Cleveland): What are some of the team's goals for this season?

Coach Vaas: I think there is always only one goal, and that goal is to win our NEXT game. Anything that has happened prior to that is immaterial. We just want to win our next game. COMPETE!!!

MURedHawks.com: Thanks everyone for coming to RedHawk Chatter today. Next week we'll have Coach Rita Molis from women's track. In the meantime, cheer on the hockey team at the Frozen Four!!

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