Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha: Day Six
8/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2006
KENOSHA, Wis. -- With the threat of rain in the Kenosha area, Northwestern's football team moved its morning practice from the Wisconsin-Parkside practice fields to the turf at Carthage College. In the end, it did not rain, but the overcast skies and cool temperatures provided a perfect morning for an intense workout.
Northwestern will hold the second of its two practices tonight at 6 p.m., also at Carthage College.
NUsports.com caught up with new linebackers coach Randy Bates following NU's two-hour morning practice to get his thoughts on the linebacker corps and Camp Kenosha.
NUsports.com: You inherited a veteran group of linebackers, how has camp progressed for the linebacking squad so far in camp?
Coach Bates: Camp is going well. These guys are teaching me as much as I am teaching them. We're doing a great job of working together and I am confident that this will be a very good linebacker group this year.
NUsports.com: Last season Coach Fitzgerald thought of the linebackers as the heartbeat of the defense, do you look for them to lead the 2006 defense as well?
Coach Bates: Absolutely, we're trying to put all the pressure on ourselves. Technically we are the quarterbacks of the defense and we want to make sure the entire defense is playing at the intensity that our team is capable of.
NUsports.com: As the newest member to the Northwestern football staff, how has your transition gone so far?
Coach Bates: It's been a whirlwind since I got here two and half weeks ago. But everything has gone real well and the coaches and players have done a tremendous job of allowing me to fit in to the Northwestern family.
NUsports.com: How is it taking over the head coach's old position?
Coach Bates: It's excellent, Coach Fitzgerald keeps any eye on the linebacking position and not only is he helping me coach those guys but he's coaching me up as well. It has been a real advantage with such a quick transition.
NUsports.com: Who individually is having a good camp so far?
Coach Bates: Honestly they all are. But Nick Roach and Adam Kadela have really stepped up their games along with Demetrius Eaton. Those three are veteran guys and are leading our younger guys in the right direction.
NUsports.com: What are your thoughts on your first trip to Camp Kenosha?
Coach Bates: It's fantastic. Getting away from all the people and all the distractions just help us focus on practice itself and getting better each day.
