Five Ohio State football players were suspended for five games each today after accepting improper benefits. Star quarterback Terrelle Pryor was amongst the players suspended.
To get more context on the situation, I asked new IU defensive line and special teams coach Mark Hagen if he thinks players are educated enough on what they can and can't do. Hagen played football at IU and has been with the Purdue football program for the last nine years.
"I gotta believe that all 11 Big Ten programs do a great job of educating players on what they can and can't do," Hagen said. "It's a constant process; it's not one of those things where you talk about it once a year and forget about it. So I gotta believe these guys knew what they were doing was wrong."
Pryor, running back Dan Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive lineman Mike Adams and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas will miss the first five games next season. All five players are still eligible to play in the team's Sugar Bowl game against Arkansas.
Raymond, Hagen ready to win now
Having spent these last couple days catching up with IU's new defensive staff, it is clear these coaches are ready to turn the program around, and turn it around now.
Here are some of the more interesting comments from coaches Corey Raymond (cornerbacks) and Mark Hagen (defensive line, special teams).
Raymond on taking LSU style to IU: "We're going to play lights out, play with a very aggressive style, and challenge people every day. We have to make sure we develop that culture of competing every day."
On suspended defensive back Andre Kates: "I'm looking forward to meeting the kid and get to know him. I need to find out the little things he's been doing and understand him as a person."
Hagen on switching sides of the Bucket rivalry: "Obviously that first year (at Purdue) was unique. People up here went to coach (Joe) Tiller kind of cross eyed and asked him if he knew what he was doing when he hired me. But I jumped at the opportunity and it was the right move for me and my family at that time."
On how long it will take to get back to a bowl game: "We expect it to happen right away. There is no two or three or four-year plan. There are a lot of pieces in place. A few days back when I spent some time with coach (Kevin) Wilson, he made a comment that the two of us easily could not be in this position right now. Had a ball bounced the other way or a couple of things gone in IU's favor this past year, they would have been in a bowl game. We're right there. Our expectation is to win right away in 2011"
