New coaching hires typically carry with them a great deal of optimism for a fanbase that is likely coming out of a losing stretch. Coaches often will try to infuse some optimism with their comments. Sometimes it works and the fanbase is invigorated. Then you have moments like Liam Cohen's viral “Duval” misstep.
In the grand scheme of things, no coach earns any wins during an introductory press conference. A bad press conference or an unimpressive first impression does not condemn a coach in the space of wins and losses. However, this is the first opportunity fans, players and administrators get to have the warm and fuzzies before the long march towards the regular season.
In the last week two new coaches were introduced to their new teams. One is a first-time head coach with very little tangible coaching experience, but an impressive playing resume. The other is a hot new commodity coming off previous head coaching success at a lower levels.
These first impressions could be lasting, or they could have virtually no real impact moving forward. Some coaches kick the door in, say all the right things and are dismissed before the end of that contract. Some don’t impress at all early and go on to be a staple of consistency and provide a winning experience despite a poor first impression.
Marshall Faulk at Southern
Faulk just finished his first season as a college football coach of any kind. Faulk spent 2025 improving the running game at Colorado as the team’s running backs coach. In his lone season with the Buffaloes, they saw the rushing production double. While still not a threatening rushing attack, Faulk improved the unit from an FBS worst 65 yards per game in 2024 to almost 148 yards per game in 2025.
Faulk’s presence was felt almost immediately. On a coaching staff that includes Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp, Faulk came across as a no nonsense coach. His matter-of-fact delivery and straight forward approach was consistent. From team meetings to coaching on the sidelines, Faulk is not animated or loud, but the message is direct and the results followed.
Faulk’s introductory press conference with Southern was both different from his coaching style and persona as a player. This was a much more reserved and perhaps hesitant version of Faulk. His comments were honest and very matter of fact which is on brand. However, his comments played like someone who is tempering expectations.
“What's there to question?” Faulk said when asked about his lack of experience. “You know and I know this is my first head coaching job. I don't think there's a question. You can't give answers to anything like that. You know, it's like anything else. Just wait and see. Like, time will tell. You’ll get to decide whether what they’re saying or what I’m doing works.”
Faulk is a straightforward coach as evident in his time at Colorado. He was direct as a player as well as his time covering the NFL for NFL Network. His message and delivery to Southern could just be who he is. Someone not interested in doing a song and dance for reporters, opting instead to let the results do the talking.
Bob Chesney at UCLA
If Faulk is the result of not participating in the gamesmanship of a press conference, Chesney leaned into the gamesmanship aspect with his whole chest. Chesney joins UCLA on the heels of a James Madison college football playoff berth. As opposed to Faulk who brings one year of coaching and a hall of fame playing career, Chesney is a lifer.
Chesney has been in coaching for over 25 years and takes over at UCLA after several stints at lower football levels. Chesney has enjoyed time at Johns Hopkins, Assumption, Holy Cross and James Madison before getting his Power 4 opportunity in southern California.
Another difference between these two head coaches is the tone and talking points given by both men. Unlike Faulk’s reserve approach trying not to bite off more than he can chew, Chesney went after it. As reported by the Associated Press, Chesney’s commentary played like a man who is performing for a crowd he knows is present.
“We don’t need to be the other school in this town, we need to be ‘the’ school in this town,” Chesney said with emphasis at his introductory news conference on Tuesday. “We have to be the premier program in the state. Zero doubt about it,” Chesney said. “We have to make sure we have deep ties to the West Coast. I need to make sure with high school coaches that we’re as accessible as possible and have open, free clinics. Open practices. … we have to do a good job of opening those doors.”
Coaches or even players can “win the press conference”, but that is a temporary accolade with a shelf life that ends the moment regular season games are played. Chesney’s comments might reflect that of a seasoned coach with ambitions of restoring greatness to a program that has experienced it many times before. Faulk’s comments were more reserved and lacked any sort of outlined ambition. However, that could’ve have been by design for Faulk who has been around the game for the better part of 30+ years.
Both coaches will now prepare to dive into recruiting, including the transfer portal window that will open next month. Once they have addressed any portal movement and have their first wave of recruits signed, they'll have only a couple months before Spring Ball.
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