Everything else that was said at Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Days
From NIL to books
Despite being the premier FCS football conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference has a rather abbreviated media days—especially in comparison to the Big Sky. Regardless, there was still plenty to talk about between the 11 head coaches’ interviews. Here’s some of the more interesting points of conversation:
NIL
North Dakota State University head coach Matt Entz on losing players to NIL:
“I would probably say we've lost three recruits this year to schools A, B and C being farther ahead in the NIL process than we are. It is something that we're going to have to address and currently in conversations with the administration, and myself about what we can do or what we're comfortable with here at North Dakota State.”
Entz on NIL at NDSU:
“I think when the NIL rule originally came out, NDSU was completely on board with our players earning monies with name, image and likeness. We've had a number of players in our program that have taken advantage of that. It was merit based—you know—we've had players who've been able to create some extra income because of the following they have on social media or doing a commercial in town for a local industry. What it's become, unfortunately, I think across the land and I think a lot of my coaching peers would see this, is it's become incentive based. I don't know if that was originally what the plan was behind it but I do know that just like the transfer portal—you know—it's something we're going have to look into as an athletic department. We're at the ground level, but I do believe (Mike) this is probably the last class we recruit where it's not a hot topic or a bigger topic than it is.”
University of South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson on NIL at the FCS level:
“I've listened to a couple other guys and I would agree—you know—it's starting to work its way into the FCS level. There's some good things about it— you know—the idea that,, your guys could never give a private lesson and get paid for it. Prior to this rule passing, thatwas not a good thing. At the same time, some of the things that are happening now, particularly at the Power Five level—you know—are not good things for college football, and are going to have to be addressed at some point in time. I think to to have our game continue to be the kind of game that we all love and we've got several of our guys that have some kind of NIL agreement that has benefited them in some way and will continue to provide the education and the support for those things here on our campus. We'll continue to look at ways in which we might be able to expand that in the way that the spirit of the rule was designed.”
Quarterbacks
Missouri State head coach Bobby Petrino on Jason Shelley:
“Yeah, I think one is the understanding of—you know—when to take a sack and when to check the ball down. He's got great confidence in his ability to move in the pocket and make plays with his legs but there are times just to check the ball down on first and second down and get positive yards, four yards, five yards and getting this into some easier third down situations. So we've worked hard on that. He's worked really hard on understanding his progressions and seeing coverage post snap, seeing the movement of the safeties, in the linebackers post snap, so he can get to his progression just a little bit quicker and get the ball out on time. Those are the things that he's really concentrated on in spring.”
University of North Dakota head coach Bubba Schweigert on two QBs:
“Well, I think it gives you some options and gives you a chance to run a different type of offense and really, really hone in on the skills of each guy and we know Tommy's been really steady for us and Quincy is a big physical guy that gives us a different look back there and we're just encouraging all those guys to really develop and learn the system because we'll play as many guys as we need to.”
Western Illinois University head coach Myers Hendrickson on Week 1 starter:
“Wide open. It's an open competition. I felt like our quarterbacks took great strides in the spring. You know, I've worked with the QBs at Kansas the last three years. In addition to being the head coach, I've got a great quarterback coach here in Coach Shaffer, and it's open competition. It's going to be a great battle.”
Nielson on USD QB Carson Camp’s health and progress:
“Yeah, those guys are all good. You know, Carson's been 100% all spring and summer. We are—you know—a pretty healthy football team headed into fall camp, just now one of the things is get what you need to get done in fall camp, and stay healthy.
“Yeah, it's—you know—amazing how many football games he's played and just a sophomore eligibility wise, but—you know—with the rosters the way they are right now you have a number of players that still have a lot of eligibility left and are young, but our experienced players and I guess that's the difference for him. You’d consider him an experienced player now and he has a very good grasp of our offense, sees things that he didn't see a year ago, able to make decisions better. We require a quarterback to be a decision maker and the more experience you have, I think the the easier it is to make those decisions and make those decisions quickly. And I've seen that as a big improvement in his game.”
Facilities
Northern Iowa University head coach Mark Farley on practice facilities:
“It's been a big difference for us being that we've had—we're going to have a place to practice for the first time in two seasons. You know, we've been practicing at the sportsplex for the COVID year, we had to practice at Waterloo West, a high school here, because of construction going on around here. So for the past two seasons, we really haven't practiced on a football field at our facility here for the last two seasons. So we kind of forget that but just that continuity, consistency, efficient use of time, logistics—all those things cause stress and take away energy from our practice. So looking forward to being back, having the Dome, having our outdoor practice facility, being able to practice when we when we can practice because we've got lights outside. So between the gifted outdoor practice field that will be the first year of use for us and of course, the Dome. We're excited just because we can practice and get prepared, like we always used to three years ago because of consistency.”
Book recommendations
Southern Illinois University head coach Nick Hill on books:
“I do have a book right here that you I bet you haven't heard of. It's called Shift Your Mind by Brian Levinson. I went on his podcast and he sent me a book. I've really enjoyed it.”