August 7, 2024 • 19 mins
UAlbany Football Coach Greg Gattuso discusses summer camp opening, transfer portal and new roster, 2024 schedule and Levack getting season tickets
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Guys on ninety five nine Fox Sports Radio, one of.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
My favorite people in the Capitol region. One of my
favorite things to do in the Capitol Region is check
out a Great Danes football game.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
We were joined by the.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Head coach, Greg GOODTUSO coach Guys and I were like
talking off air, like it's it's sometimes difficult to keep
up with the roster. You know, a lot of names
coming and going whatever with the transfer portal, with what
you've been able to bring in with some of the
kids who have been able to move up to you know,
the higher profile programs.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Do you even know all their names yet?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Well, you know, I will say, you know, I was
joking with the with the coaches that I had to
take a roster on the field the first couple of days,
because not only are there a group of new players,
but also they all switch numbers and I let them
be happy with their numbers that we switch them around
and pretty soon they put helmets on and I have
no idea who's who for a day or so, so
I start figuring it out. But we're doing good that
(00:53):
you know, the kids have really integrated really well, and
you know, and it's it's it's a very interesting process
to be on the big beginning of this over the
last three years or so. And there's some really really good,
neat things that are you wouldn't expect to happen, and
then there's some, you know, occasional things you scratch your
head like how do we get here? But at the
end of the day, it's been good for our program
and it's helped us build our depth, and I think
(01:15):
it's an area where all but it can be successful
because the transfer portal kind of equals the playing field.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I'm sure you and.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Your staffield this every summer. There is that mix when
you get into summer camp of excitement because you get
to watch a lot of these players their growth from
what springball was from the previous fall to what it
is now in August. But a little bit of stress,
a little bit of competition. Are those same feelings you
have even with the changes when the program still here
in August twenty twenty four, involving this year's team and roster.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Yeah, I think we're you know, we're always excited, you
know when the new slate starts, whether you had a
great year or you know, not so great year, it's
a new team it always has been that way. To me.
It's a new team, and if you approach it the
right way and you can build it right, then you
got a chance to have a successful season. And I think,
you know, I've been doing it a long time and
(02:05):
this is probably the most the most new people I've
ever tried to integrate. But that's one of the unintended
consequences of the transfer portal. Is it used to be
your team was eighty percent homegrown in twenty percent transfers.
Now it's fifty to fifty. So when the transfers do
come in, they're they're embraced, open arms, everybody's high five
(02:26):
of them. There's no negativity whatsoever being a transfer like
it used to be in the old days. And I think,
you know, we're seeing that every year. Last year that
football team was pretty close to fifty to fifty as well,
and we're seeing the same thing right now. And I love,
you know, this team is enthusiastic and they work hard,
and uh, you know, we we have a lot of
(02:47):
talent run around and we have talent depth in our talent,
which I think is really the critical piece of being
a great football team.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Coach Craig with us right now talking about the Great
Danes and all right, so obviously it's it's it's difficult
called it's still early. But who are some guys that
you know are showing you something in practice right now
that you know if we were able to all watch practice,
these are the guys that are owing and on us already.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Uh, you know, I think I'll just say this the
easiest way to say is, I think there's there's playmakers
in the groups. On offense, I think you see there's
right now we have seven eight receivers that we literally
just can throw out there. And that's a weird concept,
you know. And it's the same on the defensive line.
There's you know, we're playing like eight, nine, ten people
(03:33):
at practice right now that have are going to be
able to help us on the field in game day.
So it's really I think this team is going to
be a lot. Last year we had those really high
end group of guys and then you know, we were
lucky to survive some in some positions. If we'd had injuries,
it would have crippled us, but we survived that and
didn't have many critical injuries. And I think this team,
(03:57):
I'm not sure we have quite the high end guys
right now that some in some of the positions, but
I think there's potential for that. And it's hard to
really get into individual guys right now, the new ones,
just because we're really seeing a lot of production out
of a lot of people. But I think you go
back to the guys that are year that have been here,
you know, I think, you know, Griff looks great, face
(04:18):
all looks good, the running back is deep. Ozzie Hutchinson
and this offensive line of of Wilmatta and Scottie Houseman
looks really good. You know, the tight ends have are
very equal and and have talent. I you know, it's
just very optimistic about I think in the receiving corps.
You know, we get Jackson Parker back, we get Cad
(04:42):
Caden Birdie who got hurt last year back. We we
had Levi Wentz and and Mark Heath, and then you
look at this new group of guys. You know, Sevin
McGee from Rochester has been lights out good. Jamal Cooney
was here in the spring, has been excellent. Uh you know,
we added a couple other people, so there's a lot
(05:03):
of depth that's really hard to kind of single them
out right now?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Do you do you know who the signal caller is
going to be? Is that still being figured out?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I think, you know the I think the three of
them have played much better than they were playing in
the spring. I mean, I'm not gonna lie to you.
I came out of spring. I was a little bit concerned,
but I'm seeing good things out of all of them.
I think, you know, the probably the battle will continue
because we have a lot of conference games early, and
I think you'll probably see a little bit of both
(05:32):
of them in the in the opener, in the second
and third game, I think, but I think both. I
think Miles has been really strong and I've seen Trey
has been really has improved since last year, and they're
really neck and neck right now. But I feel good
that we can win with with the three of them.
And I think, you know, Van weber O, our freshman
are our third team guy right now, is probably as
(05:55):
good as the other guy's talent wise, and he just
got to get a little bigger and a little learning
so that that's as good. And that's you know, I
really I've always preached depths of talent is more important
than than just having a few good guys running around,
and I do see that in our team right now,
that we have a lot of good football players and
when you walk around practice, I I you know, one
(06:15):
of the one of the scouts was in for the
Buffalo Bills over over this past couple of days, and
one of the things that he said no scouts ever
said to me before. He was like, man, are you
guys big?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And I was like, yes.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
I was like, oh right, I said, you talking about
the vac or you talking about my team? And I'm
sorry I had to.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
But her first time you lose, the first time you
lose barrels.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, But no, but that was,
you know, hearing that from one of the pro scouts
kind of like I was like, really, I said, I
feel that way, but you know, you don't know when
they're your team and you're around them all the time.
But yeah, we're we're big. I mean, I'm excited about
the season and there's still a lot of work to
go and a lot of you know, uh, getting guys
on the same page. I think that's the hardest part
(07:05):
right now, is just getting everybody to understand how we
play and how we handle ourselves how we act on
the field, and I think that's the next big step
for us.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
You already had football coach Greg Gattuso with Levacan. Guys
right here Fox Sports Radio ninety five, nine nine.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Eighty, don't freet the Great Dance kickoff on August thirty
first right here in the Campitoal reachions they take on
l I U. Kickoff is set for seven o'clock. Coach,
it feels like every time we talk to you in August,
there is something crazy that's changing.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
We're talking about the portal.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Now.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
In the year's past, we've had spring seasons, we've had
transfers leaving the program, injuries, like it always feels like
you're dealing with stuff you never thought you were going
to deal with. But I hopefully this has been the
easy one. Let's talk about the sound common Yeah, he does.
Even the fat joke was very relaxed and well delivered, Like.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Now, I didn't say fat Now, I said, wait, no.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
You wouldn't apologize if it was.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
I thought that was a compliment.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yeah, NFL scout let vacuum.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yeah, but my question was going to be about camp
that really for those who don't follow this, your guys'
camp has changed. You get a little bit extra time
in the world of double sessions seems like a long
time ago, and you have so many great battles going
on right now. Do you enjoy the extended camp to
get more of an evaluation with your players?
Speaker 4 (08:17):
Yeah, this camp football has become really difficult for me
in camp just because you know, it's just so different
than and you know, you're trying to the positive is
everyone has the same rules, so it's not like you're
you know, you have to do something other people don't,
but you know, you only have you have a limited
number of times where you can really work on on
(08:38):
toughness and and you know, tackling, and you know, we
only get eight padded practices out of the twenty five
we have in camp, which is at Penn State. We
had eight tapping practices in the first seven days, so
it was it's really changed. And sometimes I worry about toughness.
But the kids, you know, we get them out there
(08:59):
that you know, we don't have. They work hard and
they're given great efforts. So I just sometimes, you know,
I try to act like I'm not getting older, but
every once in a while, you know, the old guy
in the room, I'm like, are we being tough enough yet?
But it's I do think, you know. I keep telling
my coaches there's a great book called Meat on the
(09:19):
Hoof and the Junction Boys. There's some things about the
old time sixties seventies football, and it was it was
too much.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
When I played, it was I you know, I just
spy football campus a player. I would have done anything.
If I didn't think my father would have killed me.
I would have definitely not played football, you know at times,
because it was really hard. And I and I think
that that was too much. I think we've gotten football
into a better place. I think it's safer. I think
there's less injuries. I think that, you know, we're very
(09:49):
cognitant of head trauma and how and we teach to
stay away from head contact and I, you know, so
we're in a really good place. But every once in
a while, you know, I worry if we're tough enough
or not. And that's really the challenge for me.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
We got greg to so with us, Bob ford Field
get a little little facelift, little makeover. It's that's got
you gotta be proud, because that's I got a feeling
if if you're not building a program that's doing what
it's doing, they might push back I spending those dollars.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Well, yeah, I don't know. I hope not. I think
that you know that the field, we had great service
from that field. It handles a lot of great moments
over the years, and it's been it was there for
eleven years, you know, and and it needed change out.
And this is I'm very grateful getting a new field.
It's a beautiful field, and you know, I love I
(10:39):
literally every day can't wait to walk out on that
great day in the middle of the field. So it's
I've been part of getting new fields like twice in
my life. And it's a really really good feeling to
go out there, and it's really makes you feel wanted,
and it makes you feel good that we can do
those things to improve for our for our kids.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I love all of it. So I've I've made it
a vision. I'm gonna I'm I'm I think where I
can help the program the most is I'm going to
transition into a loud, obnoxious fan. So I'm thinking I'm
looking for where to get my season tickets.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Coach.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Do I want to just be right down in the
end zone where the where the booze is? Do I
want to be purple? Do I want to be gold?
Where should I be getting my season tickets?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Well? You know, as I say, you could, you could
sit there in my family if you think you can
handle it. But you know, you know, Katie will keep
you in line if you start getting talking bad out there.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Okay, let's let's.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Mention my wife Colleen might turn around and give you
that evil stare if you're if you're become too rambunctious.
But let's be honest, hand going in, Yeah you would. People.
It's so funny. I tell people all the time, like
and I'll give you a great example, like my family's
brutal on me sometimes after games, you know. And so
(11:55):
we when we played Syracuse a few years ago, and
obviously the game didn't go as we want, and I
decided to ride home with my two daughters, I mean
about an hour into the trip, I was like, please stop,
you know, like they have eighty five scholarships and they
spend ten billion dollars more than us, Like can he? Like,
I got war out for like an hour. Why don't
you do this? So you know they are they're tough
(12:19):
on me sometimes too. They're very They're always there for me.
But you know, when we get to the restaurant after
a game, I start hearing the expertise of my family
of what I should have done. So you could definitely
join right in with that if you want to listen.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
You know, Hey, look we can every other day of
the week, we can bust on each other.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
But you know how game day, I'm right behind you.
I got your back.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
I know I'm scared to sit next to the ladies
because I end up wearing like a purple and gold
boa halfway through the game.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
That's the only way I'm worried about.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
Well, that's you know, Colleen wears a purple wig most games.
So yeah, you'll get right in. We'll get you. We'll
get you a purple mohawk or something you could wear.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I'm not opposed. I for that. For the team. I'll
do it. No.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
So seriously, though, I'm gonna I want to get hold
of because I want to see where I should get
my tickets, because I gonna grab it. I'm gonna grab
I'm gonna there's only five home games guaranteed, and I
think what happens every year when it comes to the
Great Danes. You know, this year you're kicking off on
the thirty first. I think people sit and go, I'll
get to a game and next thing you know, it's
November and and you've missed most of them. So I
(13:16):
think I'm gonna get my season tickets this year. My
kid was like, who's going to the game with him? Like, well,
since you asked, not you. But but I think, like again,
I think people just I think they think it's gonna
last like a full year. It's only a couple of months. Man,
the time. By the time you kick off in August,
it's almost over. So get your tickets now and don't
miss out in this great program.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
It really is. I mean a lot of people ask
me what they can do to help the program, and
then the very the most important thing people can do
is take season tickets, you know. I mean it is
a big part of what we need. Not to mention
having a full house at games is gigantic, you know,
And I think our fan base has really grown in
the last five six years, and I think if we
(13:57):
can continue to play roll another It's season together, it will
continue to get bigger. So it's you know, I've said
it for eleven years. I've been here. We are you Albany,
and we play for our university, but we also represent
the city and the surrounding capital region and we hope
everyone will come out and cheer us on.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Yeah, And I mean the tickets are they're they're cheap
for the show you're getting by these guys, So uh, coach,
I will, I'll be there. I mean, you know, unless
you want me to pick up a clipboard, that's the
only other you know.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
I can find something for you to do in the sidelines.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
I know where I belong. That turf kills me.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I don't know how you do it, man, That turf.
I think that turf hurts my back more than anything
in the world.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I just like this turf helped.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
This turf is better than the last turf. I mean,
I feel I can feel the difference already out there,
and it's it's definitely. The old turf was very hard
on us, bad back, bad hip people, and it's it's
it's but it's been the turf great of you know,
the with renovations, getting new pats put up, there's a
lot going on and it's exciting looking forward to finish
(15:06):
in a good camp and stay healthy and getting ready
to play l a U on the thirty first.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Can't wait, can't wait, I'm just again. Just tell me
where I gotta get my seats and I'll go.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
I'll go. Put put the card in today. I want to.
I want to tailgate too. So I'm making a thing
of this. This is gonna be.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I've decided this is my thing I'm doing for myself
this year, you know, besides Disney and a cruise and
a couple other things.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
But this is my thing for me and enjoy.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
That's what's That's the thing that kind of people don't realize.
I mean, we got a nice little tailgate going on
in the in the parking lot. There's a lot going
on on campus. I mean it's a games for fun,
and we feel like we're gonna be a good team.
That makes it even better.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Can't wait? All right, Well, coach man, you know anything
you need, please let us know. And and it's always
a great day to be a great day.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Absolutely, thanks appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Goes the coach Greg get too. So he also drives
the Mohawk chevrol I like myself. I mean, he doesn't
have a choice, like I had a choice and I
chose it. He locked into it because his beautiful, amazing,
talented daughter Katie could do so. Duncan is the assistant
GM over at Mohawks Chevrolet. She's been a part of
the Mohawk family for just about as long as I
(16:17):
can remember, and she continues to rack up these awards
like top forty under forty and top Women in GM
and all.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I keep seeing more and.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
More accolades go her way because she's amazing and she
brings that amazingness to Mohawk Chevrolet, which was amazing too,
So it's an amazing squared if you will. Travis Horne,
the GM herself, Andy Gelcher, Jeff Herrod, and the entire
crew over there. Just I just again, I keep saying, amazing.
I love going there. Right now, some of you are like,
(16:49):
why isn't my vehicle cool? Your air conditioning just needs
to be recharged. Probably something simple, something easy you can
get done at Mohawk Chevrolet. We're gonna be there when
I get back from Didney Day August twentieth, August twentieth, Tuesday,
are gonna be there, Scar Joe's getting a light bar
put on the sport part her and her oil change.
You know the full, you know everything she needs. I
(17:11):
love my truck. Do you love what you drive? You
gotta love what you drive. You spend so much time
in your vehicle, so why don't you save thousands? On
top of that with the amazing pricing they are going
on right now at Mohawks Chevrolet, Get in there, have
the experience I'm having. Hang out with the Gatuso. You know, well,
it's gettuso dunkin now, but still you can tell she's
(17:31):
a Gatuso when she gets going about sports. Get over there.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
What's just happened? Here is the last hour different. We
have a handsome I had so much fun. I hope
you're listening right now, whether you're listening to the podcast sign,
whether you're listen live on the traditional radio side. My
face hurts from smiling so much over this last hour.
This is not something we usually do. Thank you to
Jordan Modiano and Coach John's Rocket. Coach Catuso right there,
hopefully hold on it. Yes, I didn't stay together.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Let's we drive at Mark Chevroli where they always out
of the way to please you.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Now you can gush all over your friends.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
This is your final time Levac in studio for the
next two weeks. You enjoy Disney next week.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
You keep cutting me off, and it'll be my final time,
don't you.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Tomorrow, we're at Rivers. Friday, we're at the track. The
weather's about to get real weird here in the Capitol region,
so handicapping these things is gonna get real interesting over
the next two days. But your last time in studio
until the nineteenth of August, and hopefully you had fun
as well.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Ye listen, you don't get to so one of my
favor people to plan at Jordan Moriano, one of my
favorite people. Uh, John is becoming one of my favorite
people very quickly. Very good guy, very cool guy. I
don't know why more that didn't rub off on you,
but no, always a good time. Yeah, let's let's do
this tomorrow live from Rivers. Please stop buy say hello.
(18:49):
There's some some drinky poos specials that we'll be able
to tell you about, some other cool contests going on,
and then not to just in future at Rivers. I'd
love to see everybody there. Wash your hands, don't touch
your face. It's Fox, It's Radio ninety five. Nine nine
eighty gays hit that button.
Guys on ninety five nine Fox Sports Radio, one of.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
My favorite people in the Capitol region. One of my
favorite things to do in the Capitol Region is check
out a Great Danes football game.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
We were joined by the.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Head coach, Greg GOODTUSO coach Guys and I were like
talking off air, like it's it's sometimes difficult to keep
up with the roster. You know, a lot of names
coming and going whatever with the transfer portal, with what
you've been able to bring in with some of the
kids who have been able to move up to you know,
the higher profile programs.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Do you even know all their names yet?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Well, you know, I will say, you know, I was
joking with the with the coaches that I had to
take a roster on the field the first couple of days,
because not only are there a group of new players,
but also they all switch numbers and I let them
be happy with their numbers that we switch them around
and pretty soon they put helmets on and I have
no idea who's who for a day or so, so
I start figuring it out. But we're doing good that
(00:53):
you know, the kids have really integrated really well, and
you know, and it's it's it's a very interesting process
to be on the big beginning of this over the
last three years or so. And there's some really really good,
neat things that are you wouldn't expect to happen, and
then there's some, you know, occasional things you scratch your
head like how do we get here? But at the
end of the day, it's been good for our program
and it's helped us build our depth, and I think
(01:15):
it's an area where all but it can be successful
because the transfer portal kind of equals the playing field.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I'm sure you and.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Your staffield this every summer. There is that mix when
you get into summer camp of excitement because you get
to watch a lot of these players their growth from
what springball was from the previous fall to what it
is now in August. But a little bit of stress,
a little bit of competition. Are those same feelings you
have even with the changes when the program still here
in August twenty twenty four, involving this year's team and roster.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Yeah, I think we're you know, we're always excited, you
know when the new slate starts, whether you had a
great year or you know, not so great year, it's
a new team it always has been that way. To me.
It's a new team, and if you approach it the
right way and you can build it right, then you
got a chance to have a successful season. And I think,
you know, I've been doing it a long time and
(02:05):
this is probably the most the most new people I've
ever tried to integrate. But that's one of the unintended
consequences of the transfer portal. Is it used to be
your team was eighty percent homegrown in twenty percent transfers.
Now it's fifty to fifty. So when the transfers do
come in, they're they're embraced, open arms, everybody's high five
(02:26):
of them. There's no negativity whatsoever being a transfer like
it used to be in the old days. And I think,
you know, we're seeing that every year. Last year that
football team was pretty close to fifty to fifty as well,
and we're seeing the same thing right now. And I love,
you know, this team is enthusiastic and they work hard,
and uh, you know, we we have a lot of
(02:47):
talent run around and we have talent depth in our talent,
which I think is really the critical piece of being
a great football team.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Coach Craig with us right now talking about the Great
Danes and all right, so obviously it's it's it's difficult
called it's still early. But who are some guys that
you know are showing you something in practice right now
that you know if we were able to all watch practice,
these are the guys that are owing and on us already.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Uh, you know, I think I'll just say this the
easiest way to say is, I think there's there's playmakers
in the groups. On offense, I think you see there's
right now we have seven eight receivers that we literally
just can throw out there. And that's a weird concept,
you know. And it's the same on the defensive line.
There's you know, we're playing like eight, nine, ten people
(03:33):
at practice right now that have are going to be
able to help us on the field in game day.
So it's really I think this team is going to
be a lot. Last year we had those really high
end group of guys and then you know, we were
lucky to survive some in some positions. If we'd had injuries,
it would have crippled us, but we survived that and
didn't have many critical injuries. And I think this team,
(03:57):
I'm not sure we have quite the high end guys
right now that some in some of the positions, but
I think there's potential for that. And it's hard to
really get into individual guys right now, the new ones,
just because we're really seeing a lot of production out
of a lot of people. But I think you go
back to the guys that are year that have been here,
you know, I think, you know, Griff looks great, face
(04:18):
all looks good, the running back is deep. Ozzie Hutchinson
and this offensive line of of Wilmatta and Scottie Houseman
looks really good. You know, the tight ends have are
very equal and and have talent. I you know, it's
just very optimistic about I think in the receiving corps.
You know, we get Jackson Parker back, we get Cad
(04:42):
Caden Birdie who got hurt last year back. We we
had Levi Wentz and and Mark Heath, and then you
look at this new group of guys. You know, Sevin
McGee from Rochester has been lights out good. Jamal Cooney
was here in the spring, has been excellent. Uh you know,
we added a couple other people, so there's a lot
(05:03):
of depth that's really hard to kind of single them
out right now?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Do you do you know who the signal caller is
going to be? Is that still being figured out?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I think, you know the I think the three of
them have played much better than they were playing in
the spring. I mean, I'm not gonna lie to you.
I came out of spring. I was a little bit concerned,
but I'm seeing good things out of all of them.
I think, you know, the probably the battle will continue
because we have a lot of conference games early, and
I think you'll probably see a little bit of both
(05:32):
of them in the in the opener, in the second
and third game, I think, but I think both. I
think Miles has been really strong and I've seen Trey
has been really has improved since last year, and they're
really neck and neck right now. But I feel good
that we can win with with the three of them.
And I think, you know, Van weber O, our freshman
are our third team guy right now, is probably as
(05:55):
good as the other guy's talent wise, and he just
got to get a little bigger and a little learning
so that that's as good. And that's you know, I
really I've always preached depths of talent is more important
than than just having a few good guys running around,
and I do see that in our team right now,
that we have a lot of good football players and
when you walk around practice, I I you know, one
(06:15):
of the one of the scouts was in for the
Buffalo Bills over over this past couple of days, and
one of the things that he said no scouts ever
said to me before. He was like, man, are you
guys big?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
And I was like, yes.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
I was like, oh right, I said, you talking about
the vac or you talking about my team? And I'm
sorry I had to.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
But her first time you lose, the first time you
lose barrels.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, But no, but that was,
you know, hearing that from one of the pro scouts
kind of like I was like, really, I said, I
feel that way, but you know, you don't know when
they're your team and you're around them all the time.
But yeah, we're we're big. I mean, I'm excited about
the season and there's still a lot of work to
go and a lot of you know, uh, getting guys
on the same page. I think that's the hardest part
(07:05):
right now, is just getting everybody to understand how we
play and how we handle ourselves how we act on
the field, and I think that's the next big step
for us.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
You already had football coach Greg Gattuso with Levacan. Guys
right here Fox Sports Radio ninety five, nine nine.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Eighty, don't freet the Great Dance kickoff on August thirty
first right here in the Campitoal reachions they take on
l I U. Kickoff is set for seven o'clock. Coach,
it feels like every time we talk to you in August,
there is something crazy that's changing.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
We're talking about the portal.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Now.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
In the year's past, we've had spring seasons, we've had
transfers leaving the program, injuries, like it always feels like
you're dealing with stuff you never thought you were going
to deal with. But I hopefully this has been the
easy one. Let's talk about the sound common Yeah, he does.
Even the fat joke was very relaxed and well delivered, Like.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Now, I didn't say fat Now, I said, wait, no.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
You wouldn't apologize if it was.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
I thought that was a compliment.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yeah, NFL scout let vacuum.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yeah, but my question was going to be about camp
that really for those who don't follow this, your guys'
camp has changed. You get a little bit extra time
in the world of double sessions seems like a long
time ago, and you have so many great battles going
on right now. Do you enjoy the extended camp to
get more of an evaluation with your players?
Speaker 4 (08:17):
Yeah, this camp football has become really difficult for me
in camp just because you know, it's just so different
than and you know, you're trying to the positive is
everyone has the same rules, so it's not like you're
you know, you have to do something other people don't,
but you know, you only have you have a limited
number of times where you can really work on on
(08:38):
toughness and and you know, tackling, and you know, we
only get eight padded practices out of the twenty five
we have in camp, which is at Penn State. We
had eight tapping practices in the first seven days, so
it was it's really changed. And sometimes I worry about toughness.
But the kids, you know, we get them out there
(08:59):
that you know, we don't have. They work hard and
they're given great efforts. So I just sometimes, you know,
I try to act like I'm not getting older, but
every once in a while, you know, the old guy
in the room, I'm like, are we being tough enough yet?
But it's I do think, you know. I keep telling
my coaches there's a great book called Meat on the
(09:19):
Hoof and the Junction Boys. There's some things about the
old time sixties seventies football, and it was it was
too much.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
When I played, it was I you know, I just
spy football campus a player. I would have done anything.
If I didn't think my father would have killed me.
I would have definitely not played football, you know at times,
because it was really hard. And I and I think
that that was too much. I think we've gotten football
into a better place. I think it's safer. I think
there's less injuries. I think that, you know, we're very
(09:49):
cognitant of head trauma and how and we teach to
stay away from head contact and I, you know, so
we're in a really good place. But every once in
a while, you know, I worry if we're tough enough
or not. And that's really the challenge for me.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
We got greg to so with us, Bob ford Field
get a little little facelift, little makeover. It's that's got
you gotta be proud, because that's I got a feeling
if if you're not building a program that's doing what
it's doing, they might push back I spending those dollars.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Well, yeah, I don't know. I hope not. I think
that you know that the field, we had great service
from that field. It handles a lot of great moments
over the years, and it's been it was there for
eleven years, you know, and and it needed change out.
And this is I'm very grateful getting a new field.
It's a beautiful field, and you know, I love I
(10:39):
literally every day can't wait to walk out on that
great day in the middle of the field. So it's
I've been part of getting new fields like twice in
my life. And it's a really really good feeling to
go out there, and it's really makes you feel wanted,
and it makes you feel good that we can do
those things to improve for our for our kids.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I love all of it. So I've I've made it
a vision. I'm gonna I'm I'm I think where I
can help the program the most is I'm going to
transition into a loud, obnoxious fan. So I'm thinking I'm
looking for where to get my season tickets.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Coach.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Do I want to just be right down in the
end zone where the where the booze is? Do I
want to be purple? Do I want to be gold?
Where should I be getting my season tickets?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Well? You know, as I say, you could, you could
sit there in my family if you think you can
handle it. But you know, you know, Katie will keep
you in line if you start getting talking bad out there.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Okay, let's let's.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Mention my wife Colleen might turn around and give you
that evil stare if you're if you're become too rambunctious.
But let's be honest, hand going in, Yeah you would. People.
It's so funny. I tell people all the time, like
and I'll give you a great example, like my family's
brutal on me sometimes after games, you know. And so
(11:55):
we when we played Syracuse a few years ago, and
obviously the game didn't go as we want, and I
decided to ride home with my two daughters, I mean
about an hour into the trip, I was like, please stop,
you know, like they have eighty five scholarships and they
spend ten billion dollars more than us, Like can he? Like,
I got war out for like an hour. Why don't
you do this? So you know they are they're tough
(12:19):
on me sometimes too. They're very They're always there for me.
But you know, when we get to the restaurant after
a game, I start hearing the expertise of my family
of what I should have done. So you could definitely
join right in with that if you want to listen.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
You know, Hey, look we can every other day of
the week, we can bust on each other.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
But you know how game day, I'm right behind you.
I got your back.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
I know I'm scared to sit next to the ladies
because I end up wearing like a purple and gold
boa halfway through the game.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
That's the only way I'm worried about.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
Well, that's you know, Colleen wears a purple wig most games.
So yeah, you'll get right in. We'll get you. We'll
get you a purple mohawk or something you could wear.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I'm not opposed. I for that. For the team. I'll
do it. No.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
So seriously, though, I'm gonna I want to get hold
of because I want to see where I should get
my tickets, because I gonna grab it. I'm gonna grab
I'm gonna there's only five home games guaranteed, and I
think what happens every year when it comes to the
Great Danes. You know, this year you're kicking off on
the thirty first. I think people sit and go, I'll
get to a game and next thing you know, it's
November and and you've missed most of them. So I
(13:16):
think I'm gonna get my season tickets this year. My
kid was like, who's going to the game with him? Like, well,
since you asked, not you. But but I think, like again,
I think people just I think they think it's gonna
last like a full year. It's only a couple of months. Man,
the time. By the time you kick off in August,
it's almost over. So get your tickets now and don't
miss out in this great program.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
It really is. I mean a lot of people ask
me what they can do to help the program, and
then the very the most important thing people can do
is take season tickets, you know. I mean it is
a big part of what we need. Not to mention
having a full house at games is gigantic, you know,
And I think our fan base has really grown in
the last five six years, and I think if we
(13:57):
can continue to play roll another It's season together, it will
continue to get bigger. So it's you know, I've said
it for eleven years. I've been here. We are you Albany,
and we play for our university, but we also represent
the city and the surrounding capital region and we hope
everyone will come out and cheer us on.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Yeah, And I mean the tickets are they're they're cheap
for the show you're getting by these guys, So uh, coach,
I will, I'll be there. I mean, you know, unless
you want me to pick up a clipboard, that's the
only other you know.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
I can find something for you to do in the sidelines.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
I know where I belong. That turf kills me.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I don't know how you do it, man, That turf.
I think that turf hurts my back more than anything
in the world.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I just like this turf helped.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
This turf is better than the last turf. I mean,
I feel I can feel the difference already out there,
and it's it's definitely. The old turf was very hard
on us, bad back, bad hip people, and it's it's
it's but it's been the turf great of you know,
the with renovations, getting new pats put up, there's a
lot going on and it's exciting looking forward to finish
(15:06):
in a good camp and stay healthy and getting ready
to play l a U on the thirty first.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Can't wait, can't wait, I'm just again. Just tell me
where I gotta get my seats and I'll go.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
I'll go. Put put the card in today. I want to.
I want to tailgate too. So I'm making a thing
of this. This is gonna be.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I've decided this is my thing I'm doing for myself
this year, you know, besides Disney and a cruise and
a couple other things.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
But this is my thing for me and enjoy.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
That's what's That's the thing that kind of people don't realize.
I mean, we got a nice little tailgate going on
in the in the parking lot. There's a lot going
on on campus. I mean it's a games for fun,
and we feel like we're gonna be a good team.
That makes it even better.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Can't wait? All right, Well, coach man, you know anything
you need, please let us know. And and it's always
a great day to be a great day.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Absolutely, thanks appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Goes the coach Greg get too. So he also drives
the Mohawk chevrol I like myself. I mean, he doesn't
have a choice, like I had a choice and I
chose it. He locked into it because his beautiful, amazing,
talented daughter Katie could do so. Duncan is the assistant
GM over at Mohawks Chevrolet. She's been a part of
the Mohawk family for just about as long as I
(16:17):
can remember, and she continues to rack up these awards
like top forty under forty and top Women in GM
and all.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I keep seeing more and.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
More accolades go her way because she's amazing and she
brings that amazingness to Mohawk Chevrolet, which was amazing too,
So it's an amazing squared if you will. Travis Horne,
the GM herself, Andy Gelcher, Jeff Herrod, and the entire
crew over there. Just I just again, I keep saying, amazing.
I love going there. Right now, some of you are like,
(16:49):
why isn't my vehicle cool? Your air conditioning just needs
to be recharged. Probably something simple, something easy you can
get done at Mohawk Chevrolet. We're gonna be there when
I get back from Didney Day August twentieth, August twentieth, Tuesday,
are gonna be there, Scar Joe's getting a light bar
put on the sport part her and her oil change.
You know the full, you know everything she needs. I
(17:11):
love my truck. Do you love what you drive? You
gotta love what you drive. You spend so much time
in your vehicle, so why don't you save thousands? On
top of that with the amazing pricing they are going
on right now at Mohawks Chevrolet, Get in there, have
the experience I'm having. Hang out with the Gatuso. You know, well,
it's gettuso dunkin now, but still you can tell she's
(17:31):
a Gatuso when she gets going about sports. Get over there.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
What's just happened? Here is the last hour different. We
have a handsome I had so much fun. I hope
you're listening right now, whether you're listening to the podcast sign,
whether you're listen live on the traditional radio side. My
face hurts from smiling so much over this last hour.
This is not something we usually do. Thank you to
Jordan Modiano and Coach John's Rocket. Coach Catuso right there,
hopefully hold on it. Yes, I didn't stay together.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Let's we drive at Mark Chevroli where they always out
of the way to please you.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Now you can gush all over your friends.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
This is your final time Levac in studio for the
next two weeks. You enjoy Disney next week.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
You keep cutting me off, and it'll be my final time,
don't you.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Tomorrow, we're at Rivers. Friday, we're at the track. The
weather's about to get real weird here in the Capitol region,
so handicapping these things is gonna get real interesting over
the next two days. But your last time in studio
until the nineteenth of August, and hopefully you had fun
as well.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Ye listen, you don't get to so one of my
favor people to plan at Jordan Moriano, one of my
favorite people. Uh, John is becoming one of my favorite
people very quickly. Very good guy, very cool guy. I
don't know why more that didn't rub off on you,
but no, always a good time. Yeah, let's let's do
this tomorrow live from Rivers. Please stop buy say hello.
(18:49):
There's some some drinky poos specials that we'll be able
to tell you about, some other cool contests going on,
and then not to just in future at Rivers. I'd
love to see everybody there. Wash your hands, don't touch
your face. It's Fox, It's Radio ninety five. Nine nine
eighty gays hit that button.
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