Aug. 2, 2017

As Ole Miss players reported to campus, the Rebels held their annual media day at the Manning Center, Wednesday. Players and coaches met with reporters as fall camp begins.  Below is a transcript of head coach Matt Luke's press conference.

Opening statement...
"Welcome! I am really excited to start fall camp. All the players reported back today, and it was awesome to see their smiling faces. You can tell they're ready to get back to playing football. It's really good to see their excitement and energy. We have some personnel issues I want to discuss. Ken Webster and Detric Bing-Dukes were arrested. We gathered all the information, I spoke with them and their families, and they will be suspended for the first game. They're also going to have some community service. They will be practicing with us, but they are going to serve a one-game suspension for our opening game. Another unrelated matter, Octavious Cooley will not be in the 105. He has been suspended for violation of team rules. We do expect to have him back at some point. 

Having said that, I am really excited about getting started tonight. I am excited to see Coach (Phil) Longo's offense. Shea (Patterson) and the receivers have been working all summer and I am looking forward to seeing their rapport when we practice tonight. I am excited about seeing the O-line and Jordan Wilkins coming back at running back, and a healthy Eric Swinney.

(Wesley) McGriff has done a great job with building our defense. I am excited to see his energy. We have some great leaders over there (Breeland Speaks, Marquis Haynes) and I am really excited to see them step up and be leaders. 

I am fired up and ready to get cranking and get this season started."

On the hiring of Jack Bicknell Jr. as O-line coach...
"I have three guys on my staff with head coaching experience in Coach Longo, Coach (Bradley) Peveto and Coach Bicknell. Coach Bicknell was the WAC Coach of the Year, a head coach for eight years, been in the NFL for seven years and won a Super Bowl ring. One of my first calls was to Eli Manning. I am excited to see him interact with the players today and feel real fortunate to get a coach of his caliber this late in the game."

On health of team...
"We have a few minor injuries. Van Jefferson tweaked his knee and had a minor surgery on his knee, but we expect a full recovery. Javon Patterson had surgery on his shoulder, but we expect him back. (Jacob) Mathis may be limited early, but he'll be full go very soon. Eric Swinney will be full go no restrictions."

On status of Isaiah Woullard...
"He's not going to be on the 105, but he may be coming later, we have to determine that moving forward. We're so excited about Isaiah. He's a great kid and a really good player. He's going to have a bright future at Ole Miss."

On any changes O-line will have to adjust to without him as position coach...
"I told the guys if there is one position on this team that can handle this change it's you guys. They're excited about the challenge, and I challenged them to extend their leadership outside the (O-line) room to the entire team. They do have the ability to be leaders because of their ability on and off the field. I feel like that unit above anybody else, can handle it."

With latest incident, what will be the message to team...
"The message to the team was nobody is perfect, but when you do cross the line, there is accountability. There is a price you have to pay. We still love them. They're both great kids, but when you do make a mistake there are going to be consequences. They know there is going to be accountability."

On focusing more on defense and what needs to be done to fix it...
"We're not looking back at last year, we're moving forward. The biggest thing is keeping it simple. Knowledge equals confidence equals playing fast. That's our goal to keep it simple and let the guys go play hard. We have some ability, some guys coming back with experience. But our main focus will be keeping it simple and playing good, hard, sound football."

SOURCE: http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080217aac.html