Q & A with #3 Glenn Cook, Linebacker, University of Miami

2007 was a season in which Miami LB Glenn Cook was forced to watch on the sidelines as his team suffered its first losing season in over a decade. A foot injury early in last year's training camp witheld one of the Hurricanes' best assets of the defensive side of the ball. But Cook, a linebacker who has the ability and instincts to play at each of the three LB positions, is eager to get back on the field and lead the 'Canes back on the right path. Cook's mentality of team and program first and "no excuses" are the embodiment of Coach Shannon's philsophy, which can be a tesitment to the graduate student-athlete's leadership and character.

Glenn Cook, who is in his 6th season with the 'Canes, recently sat down with Da Great White Hype to discuss his physical state, the characteristics he brings to the team, and what fans can expect from the Hurricanes this upcoming season.


After Miami experienced its first losing season in a decade last year, how has this top rated incominging class helped to energize the program?

Yeah we've gained a lot of youth. [The freshman] have a lot of energy and talent and it has created more excitement. Everybody wants to get the program back to where it needs to be...and there's a lot of excitement, with the class and with the new stadium.

Last year, the offense ranked 100+ in scoring, passing, and in total offense. Despite the fact that there are only three or four starters left from last years offense, is there reason to believe that the Hurricanes will show an improvement on the other side of the ball?

Seeing things that happened last year and the statistics...there is no way for us to move up. We have a lot of talented young receivers coming in and are getting healthy on the O-line. And I think we know that even though we will have a young quarterback, we will be fine and put up some more points than we did last year.

Micheal Barrow is in his second season as LB coach at UM, where he won two national championships as a player. What is it like playing for Coach Barrow and how beneficial has he been to your development?

He's got a lot of wisdom at the position, as he played at UM and in the NFL. He knows a lot of techiques...small stuff you wouldn't necessarily focus on. He's real big on technique. Little things that's gonna get you through, like taking care of your body, eating right. He's consistent and on top of things. He takes a lot of pride in the school and wants to see us as young kids succeed on and off the field. It's like if you go back to your home school...you want the best for them and the program.




Cook, (pictured making the tackle), impresses with his instincts, leadership, and ability. He also has the most starts of any returning LB, while registering career totals of 109 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 12 QB pressures, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.




The Miami Defense was called "extremely vanilla" by an opposing ACC assistant coach. Are there any changes to the defensive schemes this year? Bill Young is the new coordinator...what has he brought to your side of the ball?

Last year we had some big injuries and things just didn't really go as we expected. Some people might call it vanilla. But it was just one of those seasons. Coach [Bill] Young brings a different style [as compared to last year, which will show] a lot of zone blitzing.

This will be your 6th year as a Miami Hurricane. Does any of the process besides the games like camp, videos, and drills become mundane?

It does get a little repetitious, but you have to challenge yourself. Going out there, showing people you are capable of playing at a high level. I just want to help the program. That's my motivation and same with the team...to get it back to where it needs to be.

You're coming off a year in which you medically redshirted due to a foot injury. How is your foot feeling, and have you been able to go at full strength this offseason?

The foot feels fine. I went through the Spring and got back into the groove and I'm used to being back there running around. I'm feeling pretty good. The injury's not on my mind...since it's been a year [since it first occurred].

What have you been able to teach to the younger players?

Study habits and little things. Thinking about stretching and techniques. Trying to prepare them [while] giving them a boost of confidence. Things like staying on top of the small things like I said which will help them when they get older.

You have the most starts of any UM returning LB, while also being called the "brain" of the defense. What do you feel is your biggest asset to the team, and what comparisons would you say you draw to other linebackers?

Most people would say that I understand football and the concepts and whats going on the field. I can pick up things other people can't and I use that to my advantage...as well as using my confidence and having the defense assured as to whats going on during the game. And it's that leadership people look to. Not necessary that I seek to be one, but I'm looked as a leader. Just taking that role can help out the young team.

Do you feel that this young team will be able to handle a schedule that is top heavy--including trips to Florida and Texas A&M early in the season?

A lot of times when you have a lot of young players, sometimes it's a benefit to play some rough games at first because you don't have an opportunity to think about it...you're just playing. Maybe they aren't so much as worried things that other guys would be, they are just going out there playing football, you know, just having fun. With they type of players we have at UM it shouldn't be an issue. With [the game at] Florida, where they have a hostile environment with the fans as well as a great team--as far as the younger players getting the jitters, I feel that they can keep that under control and go out there and, you know, it will just be a football game.