What we learned from UW coach Petersen’s presser 10/15

Coaching can be a humbling profession

Coach Petersen was asked if he would have tried to run another play to get kicker Peyton Henry closer on his 37-yard field goal miss at the end of regulation. Typically a coach might say, “that’s what we called and we would do it again!”

But not Petersen. Although the team has worked for the last eight weeks on “that very situation, that hash mark,” the coach admitted that he would try to make it an easier kick and give Henry a sense of comfort, if he could do it again. It is hard not to respect a coach who will take responsibility and admit that he is a harsh critic of himself.

The Washington Huskies coach wore a “Stay Positive” shirt to the press conference. To his credit, Petersen has been positive all season. He, in fact, has refused to speak negatively about players or the team.

You would have to think that the Huskies love to play for him and that they will respond appropriately. You could hear the disappointment in his voice and he reiterated how much he loves to coach this team and be around them in general.

He said he spoke with Henry and his conversations are good. He just wants Henry to keep working and confirmed that he believes Henry to be a good kicker.