<\/span>Cegles also pointed out, “When your name is Wynn, it makes it easier to pull the trigger.”<\/p>\nThe 49ers’ new coach showed off her confidence by telling the crowd, “I’m prepared and I’m ready for those eighteen inches.”<\/p>\n
I spoke with her after the press conference, where she emphasized that she plans on doing plenty of backyard recruiting in the prep-rich Long Beach area. <\/span>Wynn grew up locally, and says she spent many childhood nights on the floor in the Gold Mine, watching past greats compete. <\/span>“It’s crazy to think now that I’m going to be the leader of this program,” she said.<\/p>\nShe also brings her husband Derek, who is likely to be hired shortly as an assistant coach to help develop the team’s defense. <\/span>According to Wynn, all the returning players (including nine seniors, which will give her a massive first recruiting class) will have to start over with a blank slate, from Karina Figueroa on down. <\/span>“Right now we have no starters,” she said. <\/span>“Everyone will have to earn it in practice.”<\/p>\nThen, after the press conference wound down, Wynn had just a few hours of down time before making her first official off-campus appearance, as Cegles introduced her to the Century Club during their meeting at Legends. <\/span>Again she showed a confidence and enthusiasm that won over her crowd. <\/span>“We want you in the stands and we want your friends in the stands,” she said. <\/span>Clearly tiring of talking instead of coaching, she added, “On Monday I want to get into the gym and get my clothes on and get to work.”<\/p>\nShe also reemphasized the local recruiting angle: when asked what her philosophy would be, she said, “Not to let anyone get out of Southern California that shouldn’t.” <\/span>She also gratified the crowd by saying the LB family atmosphere was better than USC’s, and added that she wants to build “a program people can be proud of if they want to stay home—if they don’t want to play for UCLA or USC they’ll have an alternative.”<\/p>\nThat alternative, under Jody Wynn, could be a very formidable one. <\/span>Only time and the win-loss column will tell, of course, but this looks to be a great hire, a great move for the university’s future and, as Wynn put it, a great fit for all parties.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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