A newsworthy aspect of Brewster’s media day on Saturday was the announcement that he won’t make excuses if the Gophers don’t perform. Seldom has a coach or manager made such a public statement but the new Gopher coach is looking for results. If he and the team don’t produce, he isn’t planning to be a spin doctor.
Brewster reiterated his goal to win right away, again taking aim on a Big Ten championship and trip to the Rose Bowl. While predicting a bright future in recruiting, the expectation is to win now. “Patience is not one of my better virtues,” he said.
He praised his players for improving their conditioning and strength. Last winter after being named Gopher coach he said the players needed to be in “better shape.” He said Saturday the way players look now is “mind blowing in physical appearance and conditioning.”
Brewster’s most enthusiastic and newsy remarks included comments about his offensive and defensive coordinators, Mike Dunbar and Everett Withers. Famed Texas coach Mack Brown, who once employed Brewster as an assistant, told the Gopher coach that the 58-year- old Dunbar had been on his list of offensive coordinator candidates if the Longhorns were shopping. “He’s just a sage old veteran,” Brewster said.
Dunbar joined the Gophers after building his reputation at California and before that Northwestern. Withers, 44, came to the Gophers from the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and before that had coaching stops at Texas and Louisville. Brewster predicted that Withers will one day become a head coach. “He is a flat-out star in our profession,” Brewster said. “I am going to do everything I can to make it happen.”
Brewster also said the Gophers need to learn to close out games, stopping the trend of blowing leads such as the infamous Texas Tech bowl loss. “We’re gonna finish games on offense, finish games on defense (and) in the kicking game,” he said. “I am looking for players that… love the game and will finish.”
Brewster said senior linebacker John Shevlin, being counted on as an important defensive contributor, has a sore back. Even if Shevlin’s practice time is limited, the goal will be to have him ready for the team’s opening game with Bowling Green on September 1.