Brock & Salk at Pac-10 Media Day

Brock and Salk were live from Pac-10 Media Day at the Rose Bowl today. In addition to soaking in the California sun from their media cabana, they interviewed many of the prominent figures in the conference. Below are the interviews.

Steve Sarkisian: The UW coach talks about taking the next step after improving from zero wins in 2008 to five wins last year. The UW head man also talks about his coaching philosophy, and what it takes to win at the collegiate level. Sarkisian then answers the tough questions about the recent departures from the team, as well as the problems along the defensive line.

“For us to take that next step, we’ve got to be able to go on the road, in the fourth quarter, in a hostile environment, and win tight football games.”

Larry Scott: The new Pac-10 commissioner discusses why everything in the conference is on a larger scale this year. Whether it’s the east coast media push or just changing the conference’s logo, it is clear that the Pac- 10 is out for more respect and national relevance. Scott also talks about the reasons why the Big 12 backed out of conference expansion.

“There was a lot of pent up frustration with how the Pac-10 was seen nationally. We’ve got all this amazing success and talent across the board, and there’s a sense that we don’t get the respect.”

Chip Kelly: The head coach at Oregon joins the show to talk about the upcoming season for the Ducks. He touches on Jeremiah Masoli’s dismissal from the team, why he keeps such close tabs on his players, and how he changes their exotic offense to accommodate the players they have.

“If you’re doing things the right way and someone’s going to come to me and accuse you of something, I can say, no he’s not. This is (the car) he drives, this is (the house) he lives in, and I already understand that whole situation.”

Rick Neuheisal: UCLA’s head coach talks about where he wants to take the football program, and what they need to do to get there. He delves into why he thinks Josh Shirley will succeed at Washington, and why the Washington program has been going through such tough times despite their storied history.

(On the Josh Shirley dismissal) “I had to act, it was my decision for the sake of the program, and for all of our kids to understand what kind of behavior is expected.”

Lane Kiffin: The USC head coach talks about coming back to Los Angeles to take his dream job and why he’s so excited about the upcoming year. He describes how his staff will motivate the players despite the sanctions placed on the team, as well as how USC will continue to recruit at the high level they have been accustomed to.

“Everything is new (this year), so we’re not really going backwards. Look what’s happened this off season. You’ve got a brand new president, a brand new athletic director, a new head coach, new coaching staff, and a great class of guys coming in. That’s why we’re so excited.”

Dennis Erickson: Arizona State’s head man discusses the team’s exciting new offense and why they will be more explosive than last year. He also talks about his stud middle linebacker, Vontaze Burfict, and even goes so far as to compare him to another star linebacker he coached, Ray Lewis.

Bill Moos: The Washington State Athletic Director talks about how the Pac-10 is changing, and why change is good for the conference. Bill also answers questions about why WSU has fallen so far behind the other Pac-10 schools athletically, and what they can do to catch up again.

Jeff Tedford: Tedford talks about why his Cal teams have been good in the past few years, but haven’t been able to take that next step and make it to the Rose Bowl. He also discusses why he thinks his quarterback, Kevin Riley, is poised for a great year.

Mike Riley: Oregon State’s head coach discusses the keys to sustaining a successful football program, and why they has been able to do that in Corvallis. He also talks about the impressive work ethic of his two star players, James and Jaquizz Rodgers.