What we learned from Carnell Williams' Teleconference: Week 12 vs Western Kentucky

AUBURN — Just like every Wednesday afternoon, interim head coach Carnell Williams called in for the SEC head coaches’ teleconference.

This week, Auburn is in preparation for their last home game against Western Kentucky at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 19th. This will be Williams’ third game as head coach.

RELATED: Senior will be recognized during Saturday’s game

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Here is what Carnell Williams had to say

• Highlights of his opening statement: “First of all, I’m proud of our players and coaching staff last week… What a big weekend we’re about to have this Saturday. It’s senior day, so we’re looking forward to honoring them… We are playing a really good Western Kentucky team, so we are going to have to be better. We’re excited for the challenge and looking forward to the opportunity.”
• Jeffrey M’Ba is day-to-day, but there is a chance he will be able to play: “Right now, he is day-to-day, definitely haven’t ruled him out. We’re hopeful that he can play. It’s going to come down, honestly, to a game time decision.”
• Auburn defense’s gameplay this week when preparing for a heavy passing game: “They get the ball out so fast, the pass rush is definitely going to be important, but I think what’s most important is, we’ve got to rally to the football, we’ve got to fly around, we’ve got to be lights out… We have to play sound football on the defensive end… I think defense is up to the challenge and they’re looking forward to it… We cannot give up big defensive plays.”
• Williams was asked how his wife and mother have been able to support him through this time: “Wow, well first of all, my mother, my whole life as a kid, she’s been my ‘why’: Why I do what I do, why I live my life the way I live. My whole life has been to better her life… That has been my whole passion, my whole dream, is to take care of her.” Then Williams moved to talk about his wife: “…My wife now, she has, the second half of my life, become my ‘why.’ We are family. We’ve got two beautiful young boys. I couldn’t do it without her… I could not brag enough about her… Those two women in my life mean the world to me. They keep me humble and keep me in a straight line…”
• When asked about the Iron Bowl coming up, he said, “right now, it’s all about Western Kentucky.”… “I have always kind of lived in the now… My now will take care of my next, so, to be honest with you, I’m so tunnel visioned right now with what I’ve got to do on day-to-day basis where I cannot even think about that game…”
• Williams’ was asked what the most surprising thing has been since being the interim head coach. “The most surprising thing as a head coach is, anybody who knows me, I love this game of football. I’m talking about, the best part of the game of football is being a player… Honestly, this is the first time as a head coach where I actually feel like I’m playing the game. It’s such a weird feeling. I get the same feeling as I felt a decade ago when I was playing the game of football… I go into a place where I was playing the game of football and I really think that’s super cool to be honest with you.”
• With this being his first time as a head coach, Carnell Williams was asked if he’d like to be a head coach at a power five school, even if it’s not Auburn. “… I’ve never had any dreams or aspirations to be a head coach at all, but I am enjoying this thing and honestly, I’m not even worried about what’s next. I am literally having fun with these guys, pouring into their lives. Me personally, what happens next, whatever happens, happens, but I know that I continue to serve these guys, continue to pour into their lives. I know that the good Lord is going to make a way and continue to do a favor on me.”