Baldwin Meets With Media

For the first time since officially taking over the head coaching position at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, departing offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin met with the media after practice on Saturday, December 21.

“We’ve got professionals here. You know what I mean by that. I know they’re young, but they’re mature and they understand,” Baldwin said of what it’s been like at practice after the announcement of his impending departure. “And quite frankly, there’s a sad feeling because it’s such a great locker room and a great group of guys. But I’m just so thankful to spend these last few weeks going into the bowl game.”

Baldwin spoke about how the timing worked out well for him to spend time in San Luis Obispo as Cal did not hold practices during finals. He also spoke about how the staff at Cal Poly — even those that might not necessarily stay — were able to hold the recruiting class in place for national signing day last week. Baldwin said he plans to keep some of the current staff at Cal Poly in place, but unfortunately, will have to let some go. From Cal’s current staff, Baldwin has announced he’s taking running backs coach Nick Edwards to serve as offensive coordinator at San Luis Obispo.

“I think he’s good in so many ways. I mean, I always have,” Baldwin said of Edwards. “That goes all the way back to him as a player.”

Baldwin also spoke briefly about Illinois prep.

“They’re very sound. There is an NFL style to it,” Baldwin said of the Illini’s defense. Compared to the Pac-12, Baldwin said there is a lot more split safety play instead of post safety. Illinois also uses a more even front compared to teams in the Pac-12 that play a lot more of an odd front. 

“They’re very good at what they do,” Baldwin said, adding the defense reminds him a bit of Stanford, not schematically, but how they execute. “They don’t necessarily get super complicated. But they’re very sound because of that in exactly what they do.”