Cincinnati Bearcats College Football Media Day Quote, 08/04/2021

On coaching the defending conference champion and the expectations that brings:

I can’t say that it’s been a lot different. One of the good fortunes that we have is that these guys have been through a lot, guys like Desmond Ridder and Myjai Sanders, a lot of these guys who were here year one. They won four games the first year and probably should have only won one game, so through those tough times the guys have handled it well with the expectations and the talk. I know they’re hungry to get this thing rolling and quit being about all the talk and let’s be about the new year.

On CFP expansion and what it means for the conference and Cincinnati:

As a coach I don’t think I am looking three years ahead, other than in recruiting, (but) it’s something that we have definitely talked about. Recruiting wise it is something you’re looking at two and three years ahead. For us immediately it’s hard for the Desmond Ridder and the Myjai Sanders of the world to talk playoff expansion. We’re trying to stay focused on what’s the now, what’s the immediacy and let’s handle the other things people are talking about for 2021.

On growing a brand and program at Cincinnati:

The thing that is important to me is the family. This is a great place, and I’m not talking about just the university but the city. There are a lot of amazing things that fit great for me and my family. And program wise, we’re just scratching the surface of where we can go. I am a guy who wants to stay motivated and there are all different kinds of motivation for me when I feel like you can continue to grow in other areas and places. For me we’re really only scratching the surface and three, four, five more years I believe we can take this thing from a really good football team having the chance to be in the top 10 like last year to truly a top-10 program year in, year out.

QB Desmond Ridder

On returning to Cincinnati after the Peach Bowl to represent Cincinnati:

For me coming back, it was more about leaving a legacy at the University of Cincinnati. I have been here four years, playing three years, and I just knew coming back for my last year and re-trying my goals and records and leaving my mark on the Ring of Honor with Cincinnati greats. It was one of the main reasons for wanting to come back.

On the possible expansion around college football and the CFP:

I think it’s great for the program, and one of the things Coach Fickell has always said since we’ve been here has been to leave the program better than you found it. If that’s moving to a new conference or more teams coming to our conference that makes us that much better, we’ve done our part over the past four or five years to boost the program and put it on a bigger national stage.

CB Ahmad Gardner

On NIL legislation and the opportunities, it has presented:

I feel like me and the guys are really utilizing it. I have had a lot of opportunities because my nickname is Sauce, so I am a fan of it. I feel like we should have had this opportunity (previously) so now is the perfect time.