LIVE BLOG II: Big Ten Media Day -- Luke Fickell, Kevin Wilson, Joe Paterno

Before we commence with the second group of Leaders Division coaches at Big Ten football Media Day, I have to share this photo I took from earlier this morning:

Thought police? Anyway, now we have two rookie head coaches, Luke Fickell of Ohio State and Kevin Wilson of Indiana. Then comes someone who isn't a rook, a cat named Joe Paterno.

LUKE FICKELL, OHIO STATE 

 “Honored and grateful to represent the Ohio State University.”

“Focus on leadership.”

“Hit the ground running, do what I know how to do best, and that's compete.”

The WiFi here is horrendous. Again this year.

Best advice he's gotten from several people: Be who you are.

"Everybody has some insight for me."

A young, first-year coach isn't going to be provocative or entertaining 90 percent of the time, and Fickell is in that 90 percent.

Has not been in contact with Jim Tressel.

Have last few months affected recruiting, made it more difficult to recruit at Ohio State? “I don't know that we've seen a big backlash of any sorts. We've always focused on the history and tradition Ohio State has brought. …  I truly believe Ohio State will attract top-notch student-athletes no matter what.”

KEVIN WILSON, INDIANA

Two “exciteds” in first sentence.

“They've given me great resources to put together a strong staff.”

“Had a great winter, had a heck of a spring.”

“Players have embraced our values, our work ethic.”

“Honored to be the Indiana coach, proud to be in the Big Ten.”

And, no doubt, happy to make a head coach's salary.

“The key thing we did in recruiting is we recruited our current team.” That means he kept his players and sold himself to them. … Giving these seniors a chance to have a great year.”

Wilson is direct. He acts and talks like a head coach. This is the guy who was Sam Bradford's quarterback coach at Oklahoma. He just signed a big-time prep quarterback.

“I sleep very comfortably when I watch what these kids did this spring.”

“We could do well, we should do well, we expect to do well.”

Says Peyton Manning and the Colts have inspired better prep football in Indiana.

“It's big-time football, it's big-time challenge.”

“I don't see guys who look like me, I see guys who are lean and in shape.”

Said he hasn't watched tape of Indiana last year. Will probably do so when it's time to look at Big Ten opponents.

JOE PATERNO, PENN STATE

“Hope we'll be a little better than we were last year, but we'll found out.”

About taking questions: “Speak up when you do.”

“I feel a lot better (physically). I had two tough years physically. … I'm walking a lot more and watching what I eat.”

“I feel good.”

“I was trying to get another Eastern team in the Big Ten because it would be a little bit more convenient for us, but when we got Nebraska that was a real coup.”

“The tougher the other guy is, the better you get.”

“Is this the last year of my contract? … When I got the job, I was 16 years assistant coach at Penn State.” Was offered head coaching job at $10,000. They were joking. They offered $20,000.

“This day and age … too many people not involved in day to day operations of the college athletic program have too much say in the program.” Trustees … media.

No discussion of his team, specific players.

Just brought up Socrates, who in 400 B.C. said the kids of today are terrible. “That's 2,500 years ago. OK?”

“Anyway, I'm shooting my mouth off too much here.”

Now he's asked about QB Rob Bolden. He talks about quarterbacks in general, says he thinks they'll be better there.

About his secret for longevity: “I think the environment in our place might be a little bit different. … We've had enough success that maybe you can fool people that you're a better coach than you really are. … I just get up and do the job.”

On avoiding NCAA violations: “Oh, I don't know. … Maybe we're lucky.”

When asked about the NCAA strengthening the taunting rules, “That's the first time I've heard that's a possibility in our game.”