[Hank 91]

Thanks, Hank!

Part of me hates that Stanford football draws so little attention, but these stories are pure gold and likely wouldn't be shared if there was a scrum of media hounding Shaw.

I think this is certainly true. Atmosphere is everything. When we're sitting at lunch, I always get a little anxious whenever I see an actual reporter sidling up, because the questions then will always be the same questions everyone asks -- tell me about the position battle, etc. Those are interesting, and we definitely talk about things like that, but I so much prefer to talk about other stuff -- program culture, deeper philosophies, etc. I can't imagine coaches have those conversations at SEC or Big Ten media day. Geographic proximity is also important. There's also a Bay Area media day, which also includes San Jose State, I think, and maybe some other teams. Because of that, most of the media that regularly covers Stanford doesn't make the trip down. I've never seen anyone from the Merc or the Chronicle, because why would they come? But the USC and UCLA coaches are always mobbed. No relaxing lunches for them. So the atmosphere and location make all this possible.

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These stories wouldn't be shared if Hank wasn't so good. Thanks again, Hank! See you at the tailgate before SC?

I'll definitely be at the game, but I'm not sure yet about the tailgate. Plans are still coming together. I'll be sure to let you know if I end up going.

[Hank 91]

Thanks, Hank!

Part of me hates that Stanford football draws so little attention, but these stories are pure gold and likely wouldn't be shared if there was a scrum of media hounding Shaw.

I think this is certainly true. Atmosphere is everything. When we're sitting at lunch, I always get a little anxious whenever I see an actual reporter sidling up, because the questions then will always be the same questions everyone asks -- tell me about the position battle, etc. Those are interesting, and we definitely talk about things like that, but I so much prefer to talk about other stuff -- program culture, deeper philosophies, etc. I can't imagine coaches have those conversations at SEC or Big Ten media day. Geographic proximity is also important. There's also a Bay Area media day, which also includes San Jose State, I think, and maybe some other teams. Because of that, most of the media that regularly covers Stanford doesn't make the trip down. I've never seen anyone from the Merc or the Chronicle, because why would they come? But the USC and UCLA coaches are always mobbed. No relaxing lunches for them. So the atmosphere and location make all this possible.

---

These stories wouldn't be shared if Hank wasn't so good. Thanks again, Hank! See you at the tailgate before SC?

I'll definitely be at the game, but I'm not sure yet about the tailgate. Plans are still coming together. I'll be sure to let you know if I end up going.