Burnham fires back at N.C. State

USF's defense took a shot from N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien last week when he told reporters he saw no reason to consult with the Bulls about stopping the spread offense, as Ohio State and Colorado coaches did in the offseason after USF beat West Virginia for the second year in a row.

"Did you watch them against Oregon?" O'Brien asked, referencing the Ducks' 56-21 trouncing of the Bulls in the Sun Bowl in El Paso. "Go look at that game. That was the spread that they were defending. I'm not saying anything about South Florida's defense, but if they're the gurus, we'd better go somewhere else."

USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, asked about the quote Tuesday afternoon, laughed for a moment and said he agreed with O'Brien's statement, though he questioned the need for it.

"Here's the way I feel about it: He's right. We're not gurus," Burnham said. "On the other hand, we try to handle things professionally and not say anything ... with class, not say anything about anyone else's coaching staff. He can say what he wants to. The other thing, I forget what bowl game they were in. That's all I've got to say."

N.C. State, of course, lost its last two games last season to finish 5-7.

Comments

[G.A.]

Dr. Wire, is this one of those things where if you can't find it in two seconds on Google, it doesn't exist?

If you look around on the Rivals.com and Scout.com sites for N.C. State last week, you'll find the quotes. O'Brien made the original statement after last Thursday's practice while talking to a group of local reporters.

[Dr Wire]

It's odd to me that the first time I heard about Coach O'Brien's comments was as a reference to an article in the Tampa paper. The reported says the statement was made last week, but I can't find where and when the statement was originally made. Journalist practicing trianglation should be docked a day of wages for being lazy.

[Bulliever]

Eric,

I hate it when people try to call me out especially when they have no business doing so...

I was complimenting NC State! Anyway,
Chuck Amato did do well in 2005 and even better the years previous to 2005...

QBs like Philip Rivers DO NOT come around very often, and every head coach will have a losing season once in a while....I can't think of any coach that hasn't...

Hey, Tom O'Brian does not seem to be doing that much better....And don't remember him winning any National Championships....

[G.A.]

OB ... Joe Onorato isn't on the roster. Check back in the spring, perhaps ...

[OB]

How is Freshmen Kicker Joe Onorato making out with the Bulls?

[G.A.]

Kevin, I've got the audio file if you're worried about its authenticity.

[Jordan]

NC States offense wasnt that good in the bowl game, but USF had it just as bad. Our offense gave you great field position, which then led to your 14 points. Good defenses, bad offenses. Both USF's offense and defense are better now. I'd would say that NC States offense is about the same, and their defense has declined (no offense, that defense sent numerous players to the NFL, including three in the first round).

check that, pack scored in the 3rd quarter of the WF game, so 13 quarters of 0 TDs...what an awesome coach

[Kevin]

TOB wouldn't say this type of trash. Not sure where the quotes came from - but he said this week that the Bulls are an "excellent team. Well deserving of their ranking."

Just media stirring it up.

Hey Tom how can you talk about another teams defense when you didn't score a touchdown on offense in 14 consecutive quarters against FCS opponents (WF UMD, SCAR, and CLEM) FIRE TOB....GO PACK BEAT BULLS HIRE NEW COACH!!!

[Rob]

Go Bulls!

[David]

TOB is a terrible coach and should be fired...GO PACK!!!

[Eric]

"We held a very good NC State team to only 14 points, and that is amazing...

Their head coach was Chuck Amato ...ring a bell! But, I guess you'd rather run mouth off before you get your facts!!"

LOLOLOLOL, really now? That "very good" NC State team had a terrible offense and the nations best defense. nothing special about holding us to 14 points. Chuck Amato was run out of town when we went 3-9 shortly after.

[Ken]

The crack about the bowl game is certainly going to be on the NCState bulletin board. It's going to be a test.

[G.A.]

I applaud anonymous guy/gal for still being diligent about typos. Well done.

Correction the year we played NC State. Can't type tonight.

Wally was the DC at South Carolina 94-98. His first season at USF was 2000, I believe. They year we played NS State in the bowl game, Kravitz was coordinator and Wally was co-coordinator. Kravitz was hired away to NC State the following winter/spring under Amato. Spent one season there and got fired.

[flsportsfan83]

Wally was the DC at South Carolina

[Stephen Blackehart]

Wally, we love you but come ON...we don't need to give NCSU any motivation beyond what they already have. This is already a team that's just learning how to play when everyone's gunning for them. It's only our second season being ranked, and we'd like to stay that way. Our D is too banged up and inconsistent to be talking trash...even between staffs.

[Sailingbull]

Hey John, what you talking about? Wally was only our LB coach way back for South Carolina. I believe the D-coordinator was a guy named Kravitz.

[Chuck Amato]

For a team that is #13 in the nation and STRUGGLED with a "bottom 10" team and perennial loser FIU, USF has much more to worry about than what other coaches say.

Wally don't read what other coaches say....lets get your D FIXED before we are exposed by better teams...FIU is TERRIBLE!

[DMS6391]

Looking forward to this game...and its kinda fun to hear coaches (rather than players/fans) go back and forth a little. And Matt...thanks for the compliment to our fans! I was at the game, but didn't run into many USF fans where I was sitting, so I couldn't give you my opinion of you guys. See ya Saturday...GO PACK!

[Bulliever]

John,

...Read the comment above yours....It was Pat Julmiste who did nothing. We held a very good NC State team to only 14 points, and that is amazing...

Their head coach was Chuck Amato ...ring a bell! But, I guess you'd rather run mouth off before you get your facts!!

[DMS6391]

Hr forgot what bowl game we (NCSU) played in just like I forgot what bowl game WE BEAT YOU IN!

[John]

Hey Wally, what happened at South Carolina? I remember how bad the defense was when you were there. Also Wally, what happened in NC States last bowl game....I remember a 14-0 SHUTOUT of the Bulls!!

[Kevin]

I think that Wally is the best coach on the team, and as much as I think of CJL, Wally hops him as well. However, I hate when anyone says things like, "We're classier than that, and wouldn't say things like... FILL IN THE BLANK." I would rather do all the talking ON the field. Plus...as one who's been to all 3 bowl games, I remember those losses (one to NC State) perhaps just as well as our coaches, since we had to pay to go see those stompings. Though the D was great against the wolfpack, as it was Julmiste who did nothing. Wally can hold his head high, as he's been phenomenal...but shhhh.

[smooth]

I think this is the bulletin board material that our team needed

[NickLurby]

Wally's the best.
I can't think of any other coach I'd want to run our defense.
He has it all.

[Dale]

This is a little different. Typically it's the players going back and forth, this time it's the coaches, a former offensive coordinator and the USF defensive coordinator. It will be intriguing when the USF defense is going against the NC State offense.

[Chris]

I'll take respect from Ohio State and Colorado over NC State any day! Whatever, I hope we beat them down.

4:04 pm- how is that not classy. He basically said he does not claim to be a guru and admits that his defense looked bad against Oregon. I get a feeling many of you out there are not happy with the defense or at least are quick to point out the negative. I think the guy has done a pretty good job. Sure there are weaknesses but every side of the ball on every team usually has them. I think O'Brien, a seasoned head coach, took a personal cheap shot at Burnham. It wasn't as if USF's defense has been proclaiming to be gurus.

[guru]

I agree with Bull Daly,

Oregon beat us with Stewart. They played us very much like Rutgers. Just like Ray Rice did, They used Stewart to pound are guys into submission. Then they jumped on our offense in the second half and the Bulls fell apart offensively.

Defensively we were not prepared for their quarterback as well. That was his first start, so we definitely didn't expect that sort of performance.

They did not use the spread offense, Stewart set up the pass! Basic football and they had the talent to execute the game plan and we made mistakes. Their is your explanation Tom O'Brien!

Should be a good game Saturday!

[Bull Daly]

I believe Oregon didnt use the spread offense that much since Dennis Dixon was hurt. It was pretty much Stewart running all over USF like Rutgers Ray Rice has done in the past two years. Hard to believe the game was pretty close until the 3rd quarter in where USF gave up 28pts

[jarred]

atta boy coach!!

How about 28 of those 56 points being caused by the USF offense. I know the D didn't play very well, but having Oregon start inside the USF 35 yard line 5 times b/c of turnovers and kick returns definitely didn't help. INcluding that Grothe threw a pick six. Maybe someone should tell Obrien to watch the tape again. What an idiot.

[Matt]

I was there too, Amanda, and it definitely was a home game for NC State - I have to say that they had the nicest bunch of fans I've ever met...as we left the debacle that day, they'd stop us and tell us how good the Bulls were and were going to be, and while we were having dinner with friends that live in Charlotte that evening, several others approached us and were very friendly. Of course, on the way out of the restaurant, I stubbed my toe and some guy in an FIU hat started swearing at me...

Well played, Wally, well played...

Not a very good response. Thats stuff coaches can use as motivation. Not too classy there Wally...

[Kevin]

well. Didn't NC State beat USF the last time we played. I think the score was 14-0. How soon does he forget.

[RR]

YEEEEEUH, BOYEEE!!

[Amanda]

Both teams have gone a long way since our inaugural bowl game against them in Charlotte which, from all the red I saw in the stadium, was practically a home game for them.

[TJ]

Wally Burnham 1 Tom O'Brien 0
although that might fire up the entire wolfpack team with that comment so we'll see.

[Mike Lakeland]

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH SNAP!

Wally Burnham > entire NC State coaching staff

LOLOLOLOL

[Mike]

Nice response Wally!