Ball State University Athletics
Q & A with Football Assistant Coach Daryl Dixon
June 02, 2011 | Football
Ball State assistant football coach Daryl Dixon sat down with the Ball State athletics media relations staff for a question and answer session.
Q: You are one of two coaches retained by Coach Lembo. Does that make the coaching transition easier for you?
A: I wouldn't necessarily say it makes it easier for us. I think it makes it easier on the players we are coaching. In this profession we all know you are going to move eventually. I think for the players I coach, it is better for them, but I don't think about myself. I am glad I am here and I am ready to move forward.
Q: How well does your defensive philosophy mesh with the other coaches?
A: Very well. Coach Bateman has a defensive style that is attacking. I come from a defensive background where we played similar styles. I have been fortunate to learn from some great coaches and our philosophies are very similar, which makes it an easy process to get our message across to the players.
Q: Looking at the last two years with Ball State football, you have had success with every position you have coached. What do you do as coach that makes you so successful on the field?
A: It is all about relating to the players. They know I wouldn't ask them to do something they can't do physically. I think as far as putting in a scheme or a system you always have to go back to breaking it down in a way they understand. I think the faster they play, the better results you are going to get.
Q: Do you stress academic success in your players because you were a three-time Southeastern Conference All-Academic selection at Florida?
A: Academics is the foundation to any college student moving forward in life. They are recruited here to be a student and to play football, but I think the most important thing is an education and a degree. To get that, you obviously have to stress academics. It is a priority in my room to be a well-rounded person and you need to get your academics in order.
Q: Talk about your returnees Jason Pinkston and Jeffrey Garrett?
A. Jason Pinkston will be a two year starter. He made some progress during the spring and any coach would say he is the oldest guy in our room as far as playing experience and leadership. Jeffrey Garrett he is going to be the youngster. He is extremely talented and he has all the tools to be successful. It is my job as his coach to fine tune those tools and get him to understand he is going to be a pivotal piece to the puzzle.
Q: What were your expectations going into spring practice?
A: I don't ever think there is expectations for them, but I do think there is a standard and I don't back down from that standard. So did they meet that standard this spring, no, but that is a good thing because we don't play until September. So we set a standard and we don't back down from it.
Q: Who do you think will stand out in your mind this fall?
A: Whoever can come here this fall in shape and ready to win. Different guys emerge, different guys step up, and that is the great thing about coaching. I am not going to say this guy or that guy, but as a group we have to get better.
Q: What is your relationship like with Coach Lembo?
A: Coach Lembo has taught me about the overall picture. Learning the importance of staff development, special teams and the overall picture of coaching. He has taught me to see the overall picture and not just my group of guys. I like that and I believe the relationship is continuing to grow.
