Coug Spirit: Nick Rolovich Prepares For His First Season In Pullman

Nick Rolovich has brought the Run & Shoot to the Palouse, where he must develop a new quarterback to work with exciting skill position talent on the Cougars' roster. Coach Rolo tells Ashley Adamson and Yogi Roth about navigating season prep and COVID-19 during his first fall at Washington State.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
There's a lot of aspects of theAloha spirit from Hawaii in this community.
People taking care of each other,people respecting each other, people realizing that
we're all relying on each other insome way. Those are some of the
positive I've really enjoyed. Oh WashingtonState opening up the Nikolovic era just a

(00:32):
little over a month away in Corvallis, taking a look at the third and
hopefully final edition of the Kug schedulefor twenty twenty. Oregon, Washington,
and Cal all coming to Pullman,and I would say, from a divisional
crossover perspective, a case we made. The Kougs got the toughest draw of
any team, a Friday night roadgame against the USC Trojans. The good

(00:54):
news, though, I know NickRolovich will play anyone anywhere. He has
asked the head coach of the Kugs, joining Yogi Wroth, and I now,
so, coach, you tell mewhen you saw the schedule for the
first time on Saturday, what wasyour initial reaction. I think it was
real positive for our players to getsomething tangible in front of them, a
goal, you know, where wecan have a linear build up without hopefully

(01:15):
many interruptions. They've and I'm probablyall the teams in the PAC twelve and
across the country. These these studentathletes have really done a fabulous job of
adjusting midstream adjust dealing with all thestuff that came with Corona. And I
think it was a real uptick andenergy and optimism because of finally having a

(01:36):
schedule. How but for you guysin the staff, you know, what
do you do and you kind offind out what the schedule is regarding games
and also having to install your ownsystems into a training camp. Yeah,
and really it's not really a trainingcamp right now. We're in school,
so it's not unlimited hours. You'restill in the twenty hour week, So

(01:57):
got to be very selective on theaf you install, how much you're going
to install, you know, makesure. I don't know if I've said
it here or not, but veryinterested. I think the time on Zoom
was spent well by our staff,but also very concerned about making sure our
players understand situational awareness all the situationsthat could come up in a game to

(02:21):
win a game. I just toldhim, if if we play with good
awareness and play as hard as wecan play together, you know, we'll
put up a good fight. Yousaid, coach that your quarterback battle is
wide open as of right now.All four guys do different things as well.
So what's your philosophy in picking astarting quarterback and do you feel like
you need to name one a littlebit earlier than you normally would in camp

(02:44):
so that they can get as manyreps as possible. Well, we have
four guys getting the reps right now, and we usually carry six, seven
or eight, so I think there'sat the amount of reps they're getting is
good right now, we will haveto and that's all positions. I told
the team when this came out,I said, guys, I'm already gonna
apologize because it's not gonna be fair. You're not going to get the opportunity
we all thought you were going toget to show that you're able to be

(03:05):
a starter or be a contributor.But that doesn't mean give up. This
is an evolving deal, you know. I'm sure there's going to be growth
throughout the season, hopefully getting betterand better and better. But that goes
for installs too, Right, You'vegot coaches that take great pride in what
they do, and I feel it'spart my job. Okay, let's see
we can get good at you know, let's see maybe what's going to be
possibly used versus Oregon State, andmaybe that moves up in the install schedule.

(03:30):
Maybe something gets pushed down for SCor somebody down the line. So
I've enjoyed the communication with the staff. I think there's been a good jelling
with all the guys. But itis going to be a very unique time
to name starters, to get readyto play all those things. You know,

(03:50):
you just really got to focus onwhat's important. Well, I think
your offense is one of the coolestin the country. We've talked about it.
I showed Ashley my old playbook fromcollege with the Run and Shoot the
other day, because of course youhang onto it. How have you guys
taken advantage of the CARA rules priorto the proverbial training camp starting a couple
of days to get guys on thesame page within this unique scheme, A

(04:13):
lot of zoom meetings, you know, a lot of walkthroughs when we get
the chance to do that. Butthere is a synergy that needs to be
developed over reps, real time repson the field, and that comes down
to what are we going to workon. You know, even though this
play is cool and you know,we all might like it, is that
the right thing to be doing rightnow? Or do we really need to
get good at understanding and encouraging understandingthe offense, encouraging communication between receivers and

(04:36):
quarterbacks and getting on the same page. That's really where we're at, and
then hopefully by the time we getaround to November seventh, you know,
we can execute a certain percentage ata high level. You know, Coach,
obviously, there's so much excitement aroundyour offense and what you bring to
Pullman, And it reminded me ofa conversation I had with your new defensive

(04:57):
coordinator, Jake Tickert the other day. He only the story of when I
think it was the first interview thatyou did with him when he was obviously
at Wyoming, and he said hisfirst question to you was, do you
want to be good on defense oris this going to be an offensive show?
Just curious what you remember about thoseearly conversations with coach Dick Erden and
what should Cooks fans be expecting fromyour defense this year? Well, that

(05:21):
that is I don't know if itwas the first conversation, but it was
early on in the conversation, andyou know it's more for I like winning
on defense as much as anybody.It's just I believe this offense is the
way that we could put the mostpoints on the board. And I just
made him aware. I said,you know, you're even though we did

(05:41):
good with time of possession last year, it may be a different mindset for
you. And um, I lovethat there there's schemes. I think he
and the staff have the answers,but I have no I don't care if
we win ten, ten seven orforty two, forty one, you know,
and there's probably games in every yearwhere you win on both sides of
the ball, plus special teams.But I know this region really appreciates,

(06:06):
you know, some good hard noseddefense, turnovers, things like that,
and it's really about effort and stayingtogether. To me, and staying together.
Months ago you told us that thatwas something you took away from watching
your team in the weight room earlyon, like nobody was trying to cut
corners or take an easy way out. Here's about Max Borgie specifically. You
know, he seems, from ouradvantage point like the poster child, the

(06:28):
leader of your program, what's hebeen like during workouts where you've been able
to see him be a part ofthis program. Well, one of the
things I was I'll be honest,I was worried about was offensive buy in
because there had been so much successhere. I think it would probably a
little bit easier for Max because ofthe amount of carries compared to receptions that
he got last year. But evenin the receiver room, you know,

(06:53):
they're so successful quarterbacks. You know, they've seen throwing the ball and putting
points on the board. But Max, and including most of the skill positions
on offense is where I'm specifically talkingabout, had really been given us a
chance because of their buying Max specifically. You know, I know he's going

(07:14):
to be a junior, but thekid approaches it like a pro. You
know, you just get around thoseguys that do Nutrition is very important,
rest is very important, reps inthe weight room very important, and the
culture of hard work was already herewhen we got here. They weren't scared
of hard work. And you know, so I think there's still some adjustment
getting used to how I do thingscompared to coach Leach, but you know,

(07:36):
hopefully that comes as we get moreand more in person experiences rather than
just zoom. You know, I'mcurious, coach, and I know it's
been different than it normally would havebeen if you had showed up in Pullman
and it wasn't a global pandemic thathappened right away. But what's the biggest
thing that you've learned about the Pullmancommunity in the last six months. I've

(07:57):
been really pleased with the you know, not necessarily comparison, but there's a
lot of aspects of the Aloha spiritfrom Hawaii in this community. People taking
care of each other, people respectingeach other, people realizing that we're all
relying on each other in some way. I think that's been somewhat comfortable and

(08:20):
in the transition for myself and someof the staff. I appreciate the safety
of the town, and really Ilike the you know, we have coaches,
we all have a bunch of kids, and the life they're getting to
live up here has been what Ithink kids, you know, need,
they need laughing, run around,playing with each other. I think there's
a lot of good qualities there forfor our kids of our staff. So

(08:43):
those are some of the positive I'vereally enjoyed coach. I know what big
positive was also you and the flagthat was impressive game day. Did you
practice that? I mean, you'redialed in. I had a couple of
strat strategies, but I was goingwith the Figure eight, which was more

(09:03):
controlled, and then we went withthe Paul Bunyan, you know, the
big chops, and I think morePaul chops than the figure eight. The
figure eight I thought it was actuallypretty smooth, but the people in charge
didn't like it as much that thePaul Bunyan chop. Your game face was
incredible, like I was. Imean it was, it was very unique.

(09:24):
I was probably I didn't have anysay on that that was coming from
me, So you know who Ibet I know love That was Gardner Minshew.
He gave an interview recently actually,and he said that heaven to him
would be going back to Paulman andreliving his six months there over and over
and over again. And that quotejust made me smile. He's done more

(09:45):
in the NFL, I think thananybody anticipated by a long shot. Thoughts
on you know, if you've beenable to connect with him, are you
trying to keep him involved in theprogram? And I just imagine that you
guys are kind of like kindred spiritsas many of lums as we can.
You know, I'd like to connectwith them. But me and Gardner have
had a couple of conversations. Iknow we did the game recap with you
guys, which was fun. Ilike his style, I like what he

(10:07):
values, I like his confidence.Um, I love that quote. I
actually put that on my Twitter bannerjust because you know, and of course
he would, but how many peoplewould would love to spend that six months
in Pullman as Gardner minshew. Imean it must have been. It must
have been wonderful for him. Sobut it really that's the coup spirit coming
out, and I think he wasjust a natural fit when he got here

(10:28):
and really took advantage of it.Last thing for me, coach out.
I'm more of a serious note,and I know that the you know coaches
it is a true fraternity. Itjust came out not too long ago that
Kevin someone has tested positive for coronavirus. I know you two have a relationship
that predates you come into the PACtwelve. Have you had a chance to
talk to him or reach out tohim. I have not reached out to

(10:50):
him, but I hope he's feltmy thoughts and prayers. I like some
me a lot. I think he'sgood for the conference, you know,
and I know he'll he'll fight thisvirus. It's like he uh, you
know, he coaches football. He'sall in on it, and he's a
very passionate guy. And and youknow, you don't want to see anybody

(11:11):
get it. But everybody up herein Pullman and Coob's across the world our
pulling for coach Summy. He's goodfor the conference. Appreciate that very much
and appreciate your time and all ofyour insight on your team. Looking forward
to seeing you guys out on thefield. November seventh at Oregon stated is
on our calendars. Followill have agreat day, good luck, all right,

(11:31):
thank you guys, good to seeeveryone. I think you and I
Yogi are two of many people whoare really excited to see what's going to
happen with Nick Rolovich in Pullman andthis year aside. I mean, it

(11:52):
just feels like, and we've saidthis from the beginning, that this was
just the exact right fit and ahome run higher from Pat schun and one
of the things that Rollo has said, and I've heard him say it.
Bill Stevens. Yes, id reiteratedto us today, is that the thing
that Rolovic has really really liked themost is the commitment to each other that
he's seen from his players. Thatthey have kept their focus throughout all the

(12:13):
noise. They've been able to blockout all of the outside adversity and really
lock in, which is impressive becauseit's not easy to do that in the
world of twenty twenty that we're livingin. So you tell me, I
know you love this run and shootoffense. I know you could sit here
and talk about it all day.What give me your take thoughts, you
know, predictions, predications on whatyou think this Kog's offense is going to

(12:35):
look like in a month. It'sgot a chance to be lethal, right,
Like, I can't wait and welook out because if we sit on
set together on Saturdays in Pac twelvefootball, I'm gonna draw up so much
stuff in this offense because it isit is, I think, the most
fun offense to play in and allof football, and very simply there's answers.

(12:58):
Right, So if I'm going torun around and you're trying to cover
me, good luck. But ifyou're trying to cover me and you're sitting
outside of me, I can makethe choice to break it inside. If
you're sitting inside of me, Ican choose to break it outside. If
you're much further than me down thefield because you're scared of my speed,
I could hook it up. Ifyou got the guts to press me,
I could take it deep. Likethere's answers everywhere, So what is the

(13:20):
challenge? You know, the challengeis going to be being on the same
page right with Cam Cooper, JaneDelora, right, Gunner Cruise, Like
is he on this? Are theyon the same page with the litany of
receivers once they see defenses? Andthat's just going to be the truth.
That is the challenge for this team, and the staff knows it, right.

(13:41):
We've talked to the staff on therecord, off the record, and
they know that that's a challenge,so they'll install it with that in mind.
So I don't think you'll see thebest of this offense week one,
but look out when they come toLA and play the Trojans later on in
the season, Like that'll be agame that now might be as a pencil
to in for sc but look outbecause when this offense is rolling, it

(14:03):
could truly eat you up. AndI can't wait to watch it evolve.
So is it fair to say I'venever asked you this question before, but
I'm curious to know the answer.If you were a head coach in the
Pack twelve, would you run therun and shoot? If I was at
Washington State, I would like Ithink I think it depends. Honestly,
I think it depends where you canrecruit to. You know, I love

(14:26):
it. I mean not that youwant my like offensive install tactics, but
if it was me, I wouldrun a lot of spread principles, but
I'd still be a downhill running game. You know. I still think when
you look at the history and nationalchampions like nobody's won it when they're dramatically
spread out. And I would goto a place thinking I could win a
national championship. But but with thatsaid, you go with what you know.

(14:46):
And like coach Rolovich, he playedin this system. I played in
this system. You know it insidenow. Like I was interviewing Max Borgi
a couple weeks ago and I said, hey, do you know who Mouse
Davis is? And He's like no, and I was like, google him
because the guy who originated this offense, right, So there's layers. There's
history to this system, Houston Oilersway back in the day, right,

(15:07):
I mean I could see it rightnow, like Heywood, Jeffries and Warren
Moon and guys running this system.I mean it is go on YouTube and
just google Houston Oilers a system backthen. It is. It is magic,
it is, it is wonderment.It is brilliant that it's finest in
the past of the game in football. So I'd have elements of it.
I just think now it's it's it'sjust hard to install, you know,
because you have to be on thesame page. Well once you do.

(15:30):
And that's why I love the quarterbackroom because whoever they go with Ash,
they're gonna be in Pullman for awhile, right, whether it's Camp Cooper
and it's two seasons or Gunner Cruiseand it's four, or Jane de Laura
and it's three or four. That'swhy this I'm betting on Washington State.
I don't think people are probably gonnapick them in a lot of games this
year, but I will because they'realready a gritty environment. I think coach

(15:54):
Rollo is one of the one ofthe best of being a players coach in
terms of communication with players, getthem what they need, and the system's
a challenge, so they're gonna makeevery weekend really exciting. You mentioned Max
BORGI in a conversation with him thatyou had recently, so I'll end with
some final thoughts on him. Ithink he's been one of our favorite players

(16:14):
to watch over his first few yearsin the league. A lot of people
said, oh, you know,he's from Colorado, reminds me of Christian
McCaffrey. What is it about MaxBorg He heard coach say he prepares like
a pro, he's got a pro'smindset. But what do you think is
on top for him? In twentytwenty, He's gonna have an explosive season
because of what I referenced about thatsystem. I think teams will be dropping

(16:37):
players to play coverage a lot ofthe times, and he'll have an opportunity
not only catch her out of thebackfield, which he's proven to do,
but to run the ball. Andwhen you go back and really study coach
Rollo, and you know, we'vebeen lucky he's allowed us in his film
room when he was at Hawaii.I'd fly out there and watch tape with
him. You know, I've knownhim since he was at Hawaii as an
offensive coordinator more than a decade ago, and then at Nevada. And what

(16:59):
did he learn that the pistol rungame, which is the running back directly
behind the quarterback. And he's gotlike downhill run game moxie to him like
he wants to pound you and alsodeal. And I just think that that
foundation is going to be great systematically, it's gonna be perfect for Max.
I think he's a pro. Youknow, when he came out as a
freshman or out of high school intocolleges of freshman like why didn't he go

(17:21):
to Stanford? Like he could havedone that? And he still chose to
go to Washington State even though hisrunning back coach left his running back coaches
at Oregon, right, but hejust felt something about Pullman like he's one
of those guys like Gardner, likethey have this pride in Pullman. Gardners
of course was short lived, buthe felt it quickly. I think Max
has that, and I think he'sgot this team wrapped around him, and

(17:41):
I expect him to become not onlyan NFL prospect, which he already is,
but he will become a true vocalleader for the program and look out
because he's really challenging to defend.I'll give you one last guy who I
know I am personally excited to see. And you know, we all have
our biases in the media, butsomebody talking about somebody who's hard to defend

(18:02):
Renard Bell, and Rollo has talkedabout that. He's been a guy who
has who has really stood out tohim, even in the past six months
with everything the way that it is. So Renard Bell is going to be
my guy in Pullman this year.You because I'm just calling it right here
on this podcast right now. Isthat fair? It's fair because think of
the receivers they lost to the NFLGraduation and the Portal, right, I

(18:23):
mean, you could argue they lostfor the better players at that position group.
So, and I think Renard Bellis as smooth of a receiver as
you're going to find as a routerunner. And when you give a receiver
who's already confident, we're already confidentby nature. Do you give us real
freedoms to manipulate defenders like I'm tellingyou shere's no greater joy than like breaking

(18:47):
somebody's ankles. Who's a dB,Like, Like, that's the basketball reference,
crossing somebody over. That's what thisoffense is. Like, you think
I'm going one way and I'm totallyusing your leverage against you to make you
look like a fool. Like that'swhat you do as a receiver in this
system. So he's got the wherewithalthe I think the awareness of time and
space. That's a huge part ofthis offense. Understanding not only time and

(19:10):
space of defenders and leverage, butalso the body clock of hey, the
ball needs to get out by now. He has all those things. You
saw that in Mike Leach's offense,which is dramatically different in my opinion at
least than Coach Rolovich's. So yeah, I think he'll thrive in this.
And whoever the quarterback is, they'regonna they're gonna be able to find him.
They're gonna locate him, and unlesshe's double covered, he's going to

(19:30):
be able to be an answer inthe passing game for this system. See
that's why I love working with you, Yogi, because I just say,
Renard Bell is going to be myguy to watch and then you give me
the exact reason why he is goingto be the exact guy to watch.
So love you for that. Loveour time with Coach Rollo. Reminder that
you can listen to all of ourinterviews with all twelvehead football coaches from the
PAC twelve right here on the PactroelkPerspective podcast as well as Pac dashtwelve dot

(19:55):
com. November seventh, at OregonState, the Rollo Era begins. He