Jason Peebler Interview on Mark Whipple

We have landed our first exclusive mini-interview with a former Whipple player! A recent commenter on this site, Jason Peebler was kind enough to indulge me in my questioning, when really all I wanted was assurance the Canes are going to push some teams’ shit in next year. Peebler was an All-American WR with UMass, setting all kinds of team receiving records, and played under Whipple from 2001-2003. Lets do this!

How did Whipple help change the team’s offensive dynamic?

I was recruited out of high school by Coach Whipple, and one of the main reasons choosing UMass was because of his spread attack. He puts a lot of pressure on opposing team’s pass defenses by spreading defenses thin and throwing the ball on first down.

Whipple is going to line up and look for the mismatch on defense and abuse it. With the speed of the skilled positions at the U, he should have no problem putting up nationally recognizable numbers.

You mentioned in a comment on a previous post that Coach Whipple’s offensive schemes are “nightmares for opposing defenses.” Can you elaborate on this?

I think the best attributes that Whipple brings to any team is his ability to put together a good game plan and motivating his players to play at their highest abilities. I know his offensive mind has grown even more after spending a few years around the NFL. He helped me by his commitment to motivate his players in all aspects of the game, on and off the field.

What kind of coach is Whipple? Players’ coach? Disciplinarian?

The most interesting part of this signing is what approach Whipple will take in the locker room and on the field. Being a head coach you have a lot more pull and how the ship was run. He is a very disciplinary coach and always would hold us accountable for our actions. I am glad to see him back in the college ranks because he can make such a strong impact on 18-22 year old males trying to find their way in life.

For all my loyal UMass readers, what are you up to right now? I see you were signed as a free agent with Philadelphia after college. Was it hard giving up the game?

As far as life after football, it’s definitely something that I miss, day in, day out. I have a son on the way in two months, and am just working and doing the family thing. My little brother Jake Laudenslayer just signed to play QB at Marshall University, so I look forward to watching his games and being supportive as he battles for the starting job.

Ok, last question. Here is the situation: 4^th and 3, on the opponent’s 40 yard line, up by 2 points. 2:00 minutes to go, opponent has one time out left, what would you guys do?

On 4th and 3 on the opponents 40, up by two, we definitely would line up in 4 wide and run slants on the front side with a smash concept on the back side. Outside receiver runs a 5 yard hitch and inside receiver runs a corner. Hopefully they were in man and we hit it over the top.

Wow. That play sounds so awesome I almost can’t comprehend its awesomeness. Jason added that one of Coach Whipple’s best assets was the ability to recruit Florida. Convincing players to come from Florida to Massachusetts? Natch. Getting them to stay in the State of Miami will be nothing.

I want to thank Jason for his time in answering my questions. He really gave us Cane fans that were in the dark with Coach Whipple’s tendencies and schemes something to latch onto. Lets all start creating unhealthy expectations for the Spring Game!