Heading into his fourth full year as Duke's head coach, Ted Roof is hoping to steer the Blue Devils out of the bottom of the ACC. Duke finished 0-12 last season and has lost its last 22 games against Division IA opponents. Football beat writer Matthew Iles sat down with Roof at the squad's annual Meet the Blue Devils event where hundreds of fans turned out to show their support for the team.
Matthew Iles: Is this the year?
Ted Roof: I'm not worried about the year right now, I'm worried about this week, I'm worried about this day. If we perform like our attitude, we'll be fine. But we've got to go perform on gameday.
MI: Why is this year's team better than last year's?
TR: We've still got to prove that. But the experience at leadership positions, the decision-making and having 11 starters back on the offensive side of the ball, all of that should make us better. At the same time, when you're building a program, you should be better every year. We can sit here and talk about what we're going to do, just like every coach in America, but the proof's in the pudding.
MI: Last year, you spoke about a solid redshirting policy being the foundation of every good program. How have you done with this year's squad in that respect?
TR: If a kid plays, he can't redshirt unless he gets hurt. So, if we're going to play a young man, I want it to be a substantial role. I don't want to burn a kid's first year for two plays a game. Our policy is that if a guy can play a major role and help us win on the football field then we'll play him, but we'd like to be able to redshirt him because that's a pretty good formula for success.
MI: Who is the starting kicker this season?
TR: Joe Surgan. He spent spring break- when you were probably at the beach-at a kicking camp. He's committed to doing it and he's had a good preseason.
MI: Is there a quarterback controversy?
TR: No, absolutely not. Thaddeus Lewis is our starting quarterback and Zack Asack has a role.
MI: What is that role?
TR: To do what we ask him to do and to help us win games.
MI: Were you able to learn anything from Wake Forest's success last year?
TR: It's reaffirmed some things. If you take care of the football and don't let the other team score very many points, you're probably going to have a pretty good year.
MI: Do you see yourself as the "next" Wake Forest in the foreseeable future?
TR: We've got to make our own way and do it our own way. But if you're asking me if I think we're making progress and building as we go, then the answer's yes.
MI: What are your team goals?
TR: Our mission here is to positively impact the Duke and Durham community, graduate each and every player, and we'll win national championships in those two areas. But the third component is to win games, and we've got to make some strides in that area this year. But there's value in every phase of our mission.
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