Questions for Jeff Popovich

I've set something up with FIU secondary/special teams coach Jeff Popovich and would love to get some questions from you. I've wanted to interview a coach for a while now and thought Jeff would be good because he has played the sport and coached it over here too.

Coach Popavich begins his fourth season as the FIU secondary coach after serving two years as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Miami (Fla.).

Popovich's secondary was one of the most improved areas on the field in 2008 for FIU. The Golden Panthers team pass defense set a new school record with 15 interceptions while recording a defensive pass efficiency that ranked in the top half of all FBS schools.

But FIU's quick turnaround is not surprising. While working with the defensive backfield as a graduate assistant at UM, the Hurricanes ranked first nationally in defensive pass efficiency in 2005 and were ranked 25th in 2006. Miami's secondary included 2005 NFL draftees cornerback Kelly Jennings (Seattle Seahawks, first round), cornerback Devin Hester (Chicago Bears, second round), cornerback Marcus Maxey (Kansas City Chiefs, fifth round), as well as All-America safety Brandon Meriweather (New England Patriots, first round) and 2005 Freshman All-America safety Kenny Phillips.

A native of Tucson, Ariz., Popovich was a walk-on at the University of Miami who turned into a major contributor on special teams and in nickel packages on defense. After starting his college career as a wide receiver, Popovich was converted into a defensive back and was a star on special teams cover units and as a holder, lettering all four years at Miami(via BAFCA website as he is one of the coaches attending their coaches convention this year)

After leaving UM, Popovich played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2000 preseason and for the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. In spring 2001, he was a member of the Barcelona Dragons team in the NFL Europe League that played in the World Bowl.

thanks, I'd need the questions by 3pm tomorrow

Did Hester play Cornerback? Never knew that.


Is there any player who you have coached in college stood out above others?


How proud do you feel when one of your former players steps out onto an NFL field?


During your career as a player, is there any player who stood out? Of the Tampa team you were a part of who was your favorite defensive back?


You have a fierce rivalry with FAU but who would you say are some of your other "enemies"?

Cheers for this Niner

How do the best players you played with while over here compare with the college players you are working with now?

Apologies if these are terrible:

How much of a role do you get to play in recruitment?

How do you decide on players who you think should change to playing as a DB, and how do you convince them to switch positions?

Can't quite work out how to word my final question but something to do with FIU moving to Conference USA.

Good questions guys, I'll send them later today at 3 and hopefully everything goes to plan and the responses come soon

What are your views on the BCS system?