... and how do you talk to the team after a game like that?

Well, you know, I, I, I think the, the, the, the week was a culmination of injuries.

Um, I think that was probably one of the, one of the things.

And again, I'm, you know, not as an excuse but more so than anything that just it's the truth.

You, you go into a game, you're undermanned.

Uh, you're going to game, you, you know, A.J. Tuitt is not eligible to play until the second half because of that, that, that BS targeting call, uh, that we had to deal with.

But you, you, you don't have all of your, all of your, your, your true players out there on the field that, that, that you really need to have.

... 10:00 AM start, road game for them?

... and how do you talk to the team after a game like that?

Well, you know, I, I, I think it w- the, the, the, the Wake was a culmination of injuries.

Um, I think that was probably one of the, one of the things.

And again, I'm, you know, not as an excuse, but more so than anything that just, it's the truth.

You, you go into a game, you're undermanned.

Uh, you're going to a game, y- you know, A.J. Tuitteli's not eligible to play until the second half because of that, that, that BS targeting call, uh, that we had to deal with.

But you, you, you don't have all of your, all of your, your, your true players out there on the field that, that, that you really need to have.

... 10:00 AM start road game for them?

... and how do you talk to the team after a game like that?

Well, you know, I, I, I think the, the, the, the week was a culmination of injuries.

Um, I think that was probably one of the, one of the things, and again, I'm, you know, not as an excuse, but more so than anything that just it's the truth.

You, you go into a game and you're undermanned.

Uh, you're going to game, y- you know, AJ Tuittelli's not eligible to play until the second half because of that, that, that BS targeting call, uh, that we had to deal with.

But you, you, you don't have all of your, all of your, your, your true players out there on the field that, that, that you really need to have.

Um, I, I think it's one of those things that this type of, of, of game, you don't bounce back.

... 10:00 AM start road game for them?

... a- and, and, and are Malik Mustafa and Fred Warner flirting with too many violations?

violations?Well, I, I can't get into that about them.

But the biggest thing I can tell you is, is this really is about player safety.

Um, and I also think that part of it is that we gotta make sure players are understanding that there is a correct way to play, you know? One of the things that w- you know, we've been able to do, the league has been able to do, has really, you know, getting, gotten guys to play with less and less using their head as a battering ram, and start, you know, protecting themselves as well as, as, as, as their opponents.

You know, we, we've been able to, to get guys to, to, to understand when it's... you know, what's roughing the passer.

You know, how to...

if you hit the guy, how not to land with full body force.

... 10:00 AM start road game for them?

Tell us everything you feel about Mike Ditka, what it was like to meet him, what it was like to play for him, and how you feel as he passes on.

Well, you know, I'll tell you guys this.

You know, first of all, he was a terrific, terrific person.

Good human being.

You know, a very emotional, fiery coach.

You know, when I got there, drafted in 84, he hadn't become the iconic Mike Dicker yet.

He was, you know, he was still better known for being a hard-nosed, tough, tight end, you know.

I mean, what did you see? Oh, yeah.

Tell us everything you feel about Mike Ditka, what it was like to meet him, what it was like to play for him, and how you feel as he, as he, as he passes on.

Well, you know, I'll tell you guys this.

You know, first of all, he, he, he was a terrific, terrific person, good human being.

Um, you know, a, a, a, a, a, a very emotional, fiery coach.

You know, when I f- when I got there, drafted in '84, he hadn't become the iconic Mike Ditka yet.

He was, you know, he was still better known for being a hard-nosed, tough tight end, you know? And, uh, you know, he's a Hall of Famer.

And one of the really amazing things about Coach was when I got there, you know, he was really demanding, really hard on us.

Uh, uh, I mean, what, what did you see?

Tell us everything you feel about Mike Ditka, what it was like to meet him, what it was like to play for him, and how you feel as he, as he, as he passes on.

Well, you know, I'll tell you guys this.

You know, first of all, he, he, he was a terrific, terrific person, good human being.

Um, you know, a, a, a, a, a, a very emotional, fiery coach.

You know, when I f- when I got there, drafted in '84, he hadn't become the iconic Mike Ditka yet.

He was, you know, he was still better known for being a hard-nosed, tough tight end, you know? And, uh, you know, he's a Hall of Famer.

And one of the really amazing things about Coach was when I got there, you know, he was really demanding, really hard on us.

Uh, uh, I mean, what, what did you see?

Tell us everything you feel about Mike Ditka, what it was like to meet him, what it was like to play for him, and how you feel as he, as he, as he passes on.

Well, you know, I'll tell you guys this.

You know, first of all, he, he, he was a terrific, terrific person, good human being.

Um, you know, a, a, a, a, a very emotional, fiery coach.

You know, when I f- when I got there, drafted in '84, he hadn't become the iconic Mike Ditka yet.

He was, you know, he was still better known for being a hard-nosed, tough tight end, you know? And, uh, you know, he's a Hall of Famer.

And one of the really amazing things about Coach was when I got there, you know, he was really demanding, really hard on us.

Uh, uh, I mean, what, what did you see?

What was it like to play for, for Mike Ditka, Ron?

Well, I'll tell you what, Grotty, when, when you first get there, because he wasn't the Mike Ditka that, that, that, that everybody knows today.

He was still Mike Ditka, the rough and tough tight end, the, the hard-nosed coach.

Um, you know, he, he was...

He hadn't had the success yet, but his, his, his persona, his reputation of being tough and hard-nosed and, and strict, it was there.

And so it was, it was a heck of a challenge.

It, it really was, just because his expectations for you were tremendous because, um...

It's its own pop cultural phenomenon.

What was it like to play for, for Mike Ditka, Ron?

Well, I'll tell you what, Grote.

When, when you first get there, because he wasn't the Mike Ditka that, that, that, that everybody knows today.

He was still Mike Ditka, the rough and tough tight end, the, the hard-nosed coach.

Um, you know, he, he was, he hadn't had the success yet, but his, his, his persona, his reputation of being tough and hard-nosed and, and strict, it was there.

And so it was, it was a heck of a challenge.

It, it really was, just because his expectations for you were tremendous because, um...

And, and for, for everybody, the '85 Bears, it's its own pop cultural phenomenon.

What was it like to play for, for Mike Ditka, Ron?

Well, I'll tell you what, Grote.

When, when you first get there, because he wasn't the Mike Ditka that, that, that, that everybody knows today.

He was still Mike Ditka, the rough and tough tight end, the, the hard-nosed coach.

Um, you know, he, he was...

He hadn't had the success yet.

But his, his, his persona, his reputation of being tough and hard-nosed and, and strict, it was there.

Like, you're mad they didn't win more, but we wouldn't have had that magical season, one of the most influential seasons in sports history and, and for, for everybody, the '85 Bears, it's its own pop cultural phenomenon.

So what do you think is the key to turning it around this weekend and getting back on track?

Well, I think the biggest thing is, and, and probably one thing that's hurt us on defensive side has been, you know, the mobile quarterback.

We've got to be better with, uh, with, with this quarterback.

This is a good young quarterback who's very athletic.

We got to keep these guys contained early on and not allow them to, to, to utilize, uh, the ability to scramble and create more chaos That has hurt us.

I mean, you go back and you look what happened against, you know, uh, against UNLV, and you saw that their quarterback was very instrumental in, in, in, them coming out on top.

So we've got to be really good, much better as far as, uh, that's concerned.

So Ron, when you look at Mike McDonald's defense, what does he do so well to create some of that pressure and create problems for Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy?

So what do you think is the key to turning it around this weekend and getting back on track?

track?I think the biggest thing is, and, and probably one thing that's hurt us on defensive side has been, you know, the mobile quarterback.

We've gotta be better with, uh, with, with this quarterback.

This is a good young quarterback who's very athletic.

We've gotta keep these guys contained early on and not allow them to, to, to utilize, uh, the ability to scramble and create more chaos.

That has hurt us.

I mean, you go back and you look what happened against, you know, uh, against UNLV and you saw that their quarterback was very instrumental in, in, in, in them coming out on top.

So Ron, when you look at Mike McDonald's defense, what does he do so well to create some of that pressure and create problems for Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy?

They're 4-1 on the season, so what do you think is the key to turning it around this weekend and getting back on track?

I think the biggest thing is, and probably one thing that's hurt us on defensive side has been the mobile quarterback.

We've got to be better with this quarterback.

This is a good young quarterback who's very athletic.

We've got to keep these guys contained early on and not allow them to utilize the ability to scramble and create more chaos.

That has hurt us.

I mean, you go back and you look what happened against you know, against UNLV, and you saw that their quarterback was very instrumental in them coming out on top.

So, Ron, when you look at Mike McDonald's defense, what does he do so well to create some of that pressure and create problems for Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy?

But, you know, you guys have taken some lumps here in a couple of these games.

Well, he's a first-time head coach.

And for the most, it's a learning process.

Not everything's going to come easily.

And when it's hard, you've got to step up in front, and he has.

He's done a great job in terms of working with the players.

First thing he always starts everything with is, guys, listen, I've got to be better.

But when you have a team that the offense is playing so well, as well as the 49ers offense is, and the injuries continue to pile up a little bit more defensively, Do you start to think, hey, we might have to outscore a team here and there? And what's the balance in terms of trying to figure out, you know, knowing that maybe you need to lean on your strength a little bit more, you know, if your strength is offense?

But, you know, you guys have taken some lumps here in a couple of these games.

Well, he's a first-time head coach.

And for the most, it's a learning process.

Not everything's going to come easily.

And when it's hard, you've got to step up in front, and he has.

He's done a great job in terms of working with the players.

First thing he always starts everything with is, guys, listen, I've got to be better.

But when you have a team that the offense is playing so well, as well as the 49ers offense is, and the injuries continue to pile up a little bit more defensively, do you start to think, hey, we might have to outscore a team here and there? And what's the balance in terms of trying to figure out, knowing that maybe you need to lean on your strength a little bit more if your strength is offense?

Give, give me your take

... a- and, and you're right about this because, because he didn't, he didn't, he didn't embrace the, uh, the, the, the NIL program initially.

And so they're playing a little bit of catch-up, you know? And I think it's one of those things 'cause I, you know, having been in Carolina, we were so close to Clemson.

I, I crossed paths with Dabo several times and, and I, I'll tell you right, he's a solid man.

He really is.

Um, but he didn't embrace it, and I think now he's kinda seeing, you know, the, kind of the way.

Now he's trying to figure out, they're trying to figure out as well how to do it best.

Mm-hmm.

G- give me your take

... a- a- and you're right about this because, because he didn't, he didn't, he didn't embrace the, uh, the, the, the NIL program initially.

And so they're playing a little bit of catch-up, you know? And I think it's one of those things 'cause I, you know, having been in Carolina, we were so close to Clemson.

I, I, I crossed paths with Dabo several times and, and I, I'll tell you right, he's a solid man.

He really is.

Um, but he didn't embrace it.

And I think now he's kinda seen, you know, the, kind of the way.

Mm-hmm.

Why are we scheduling Wagner?

Well, this is kind of one of those things that everybody does it, you know, and typically this game is usually your first game of the year, if not your second.

And it's a chance to really just kind of stretch your team a little bit in terms of who gets to play and play a lot of younger guys, too, and give them opportunities.

I mean, you can't take these teams lightly initially, and hopefully you get grasp of it, and by the third, fourth quarter, You know, you've done where now you can roll guys in, and that's the thing you've got to always keep in your mind.

You can't let your guys take them for granted.

I think Oregon was supposed to win by a lot the other week, and they didn't.

They took a team a little bit lightly.

Oh, my God.

Why are we scheduling Wagner?

Well, that's kind of one of those things that everybody does it.

And typically this game is usually your first game of the year, if not your second.

and it's a chance to really just kind of stretch your team a little bit in terms of who gets to play and play a lot of younger guys, too, and give them opportunities.

I mean, you can't take these teams lightly initially, and hopefully you get grasp of it, and by the third, fourth quarter, you know, you've done where now you can roll guys in, and that's the thing you've got to always keep in your mind.

You can't let your guys take them for granted.

I mean...

Ron.

Did he try to do too much? Was it just a bad bounce off the hands? What was your analysis of, uh, him throwing two picks in the fourth quarter?

Well, you know, as, as I was breaking it down, it wa- was the, uh, was the, um, the botched snap, uh, quarterback-center exchange.

You know, JKS was checking the, the, the, the play call and, and the center didn't hear it, and he snapped it on the, on the count.

And unfortunately, uh, we fumbled that, uh, and, and ended up giving UCLA the ball back right away.

They scored, but then we come back and, and, and were driving, and JKS puts one out to a receiver, and the receiver's on the opposite side.

Turns, you know, and tips it, gets it intercepted.

At that point, I didn't think that was too much.

Do you have an opinion on who had the right strategy?

it

was the botched snap quarterback center exchange.

You know, JKS was checking the play call, and the center didn't hear it, and he snapped it on the count.

And unfortunately, we fumbled that and ended up giving UCLA the ball back right away.

They scored, but then we come back and we're driving, and JKS puts one out, and the receiver's on the opposite side, turns, you know, and tips it, gets it intercepted.

At that point, I didn't think that was too much.

The next throw is one I was a little more concerned with.

Do you have an opinion on who had the right strategy?

Did he try to do too much? Was it just a bad bounce off the hands? What was your analysis of, uh, him throwing two picks in the fourth quarter?

Well, you know, as, as I was breaking it down, it wa- was the, uh, was the, um, the botched snap, uh, quarterback-center exchange.

You know, JKS was checking the, the, the, the play call and, and the center didn't hear it, and he snapped it on the, on the count.

And unfortunately, uh, we fumbled that.

Uh, and, and ended up giving UCLA the ball back right away.

They scored, but then we come back and, and, and were driving, and JKS puts one out to the receiver and the receiver's on the opposite side, turns, uh, you know, and tips it, gets it intercepted.

At that point, I didn't think that was too much.

Do you have an opinion on who had the right strategy?

So have you given him any advice about maybe that transition from being a defense coordinator and assistant to maybe taking over as a head coach now?

Yes, we've had several great conversations.

And I tell you, one thing is he knows you're here to help.

He's more than willing to listen.

And we've done everything with him from just sitting down talking about philosophies, attitudes, ideas, but also as much as working with him with his presence when he's out there in front of the alumni, the donor base, and when he's on air, when he's doing interviews.

And we've been working with him.

We have some really cool people that have come in and have consulted.

How did it, how did it go?

So have you given him any advice about maybe that transition from being a defense coordinator and assistant to maybe taking over as a head coach now?

Yes, we've had several great conversations, and I'll tell you one thing is he knows you're here to help.

He's more than willing to listen.

We've done everything with him from just sitting down talking about philosophies, attitudes, ideas, but also as much as working with him with his presence when he's out there in front of the alumni, the donor base, and when he's on air, when he's doing interviews.

We've been working with him.

We have some really cool people that have come in and have consulted, and he's absorbing so much.

you know one of the great things was you know i i was able to reach out to coach saban um you know i i got to know nick when i was when i was on the east coast and you know when i was with the panthers and we'd always scout alabama was always one of our big stops and he was always so gracious with me and we talked several times about tosh and then when it was time to to recruit tosh to come here i called coach again and he said man he has he has matured so much and so just hearing that from somebody like nick was really really meant a lot to me so Having him here, having him be part of what we're trying to do, he has brought energy back that we haven't had in a while, support which we haven't had in a while, and really has helped me in terms of, you know, just kind of getting the alumni base back involved with the university.

How did it, how did it go?