Leading the flock : Interview with bench boss Guillaume Rousseau
We caught up with coach Rousseau this week, as the Owls are on break before their away game against the Buffalo Bulls next week. It is Rousseau's second season as head coach, after serving for two seasons as Offensive Coordinator at the University of Kentucky, under Mark Stoops.
Janet Austen : Hello coach Rousseau, and thank you for this interview.
Guillaume Rousseau : Hey, it's a pleasure, thanks.
JA : Let's just start with Kentucky. You spent two seasons there, working under coach Stoops, how was it like ?
GR : Not as hot as Boca Raton, that's for sure ! Seriously, it was great, Mark (Stoops) and all the coaching staff were very nice to me, and I learned a lot by watching them. I actually talk to many people over at Kentucky on a regular basis, we became good friends. Of course I had the privilege of working with some really talented young players, and against really tough opposition, so it was a pretty good experience.
JA : Only two seasons then, and you've made the jump to a head coaching position here at Florida Atlantic. What made you decide to leave Kentucky after such a short time ?
GR : As great as it was in Lexington, I believe that I was ready to step up to the plate, and FAU gave me that opportunity. I really think that the timing was simply just right.
JA : The Owls were coming from a 7-6 season the year before, losing their bowl game, how was it for you to come in and take the lead ?
GR : I think it went well, obviously I had to learn to work with the team in place, and the players had to familiarize themselves with some of my quirks, but I'd say it was a nice season. We actually finished 6-6 but weren't invited to a bowl game last year, that's something we'll want to do differently this year.
JA : And it has started well so far, with a win against Bethune-Cookman to open the year, and a big victory against Wisconsin last week.
GR : Yes, that's right. The guys played very well against the Wildcats, but played even better against the Badgers, didn't lose their cool when we were down on the scoreboard, and they were rewarded with a big victory, I'd dare say one of the most important in the latest years. Wisconsin is a great program, lots of history, and for us to go out and play the way we played, that was simply very nice to watch, and very rewarding.
JA : The team is off this week, before traveling to Buffalo next week, how do you anticipate the game against the Bulls ?
GR : We may have a bye this week, but we don't consider it an off week. We'll still have training sessions, and we expect the same from the players as if we were playing a game, so it's not really a break for us. As for next week's game, we'll simply do our best, stick with the game plan and draw on our last game's emotions to play the best game we can.
JA : Thanks for your time, and good luck for the rest of the season.
GR : It was a pleasure.