|
Chip Kelly: It's never been about statistics; our kids understand that |
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Chris Vannini on November 8, 2012 People wanted to know what would happen when Oregon had to play its starters for a full 60 minutes. Despite some deflated footballs, Oregon racked up 730 total yards and scored 62 points against USC last weekend, although they also gave up 615 yards and 51 points. The Ducks' starters typically don't play the whole game, as Oregon blows out most of its opponents. That helps keep them rested for a tough stretch to finish the season. It also can hurt their statistics, but that's something Chip Kelly says his players don't worry about. "If I ever were to lose a top-line player for us when we're up 40 in the fourth quarter, then shame on us," Kelly said on SiriusXM College Sports Nation. "Why is he in the game? This operation we have here has never been about statistics or individual goals. Our kids understand that. To be a great team, you have to have a bunch of selfless players. "If you have selfish players, eventually that's going to implode at some point in time and rear its ugly head of 'Why am I not getting what I justly deserve?' ... There are no more enthusiastic players on our team than Kenjon Barner and Dion Jordan when they get taken out of the game. You watch those guys and see how they're doing and watch them coach the younger guys. It's a great thing, because it's totally a team. "Has it helped us coming into the stretch in November? We'd like to think so. But it also is a byproduct of how we practice. We may get beat in games, but we're never going to get beat in games because we were out-conditioned. We know that." You can listen to part of the interview by clicking here. Below is Kelly's weekly media availability.
___________________________________________________ Recent articles on CoachingSearch.com
Chris Vannini is the lead writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered Michigan State sports for The State News, The Oakland Press and MLive.com. He writes a weekly column for the Detroit Free Press on behalf of SB Nation. Vannini lives in Big Ten country, so his foot speed is far from SEC caliber, but his pulse on coaches is hard to match. Be sure to follow @CoachingBuzz on twitter and send your feedback to chris@coachingsearch.com |









