What hit the cutting room floor in our chat with Will Herring

In today’s version of the Opelika-Auburn News, fishwrap edition, we took a look at the camp former Auburn Tiger/current Seattle Seahawk Will Herring and a bunch of prominent Opelika High grads are holding this Saturday.

This is the fifth year for the Back to the Dawghouse Football Camp and it’s appeared to gain steam every year.

We chatted with Herring on our cellular telephone for a while yesterday. Not all of what he had to say made the newspaper story. Here are some juicy extras.

What’s it like coming back to Opelika?
It’s always great coming home and being around family and being around friends. I was born in Opelika, grew up here. It’s always a great time to come back and catch up. It’s just home. I’m really enjoying my time in Seattle, the organization is great. But I feel like this is home and will always be home. This is where it will be when we’re not tied up with football.

Where’s the first place you go when you get here?
The first place is Chik-fil-A because they don’t have any west of the Mississippi. They sure don’t have any in Seattle. We hit up Chik-fil-A and Jim Bobs and any Southern style foods. Besides that, spending time with family.

You love Gene Chizik, right?
I love Chizik. He’s an unbelievable coach when I was there. I’ve talked to him quite a few times since he’s gotten the job and he inspires anybody that’s played for him that knows what kind of guy and what kind of coach he is. I’m excited about the season and the things to come.

What was your reaction when he got hired?
I was pumped. That’s about the easiest way to sum it up. I was extremely pumped and excited. Unbelievable guy and an unbelievable coach. Couldn’t have found a better guy.

Is he different behind the scenes?
Anybody that hasn’t played for the guy doesn’t know what goes on at the practice field, what happens in the locker room and before the game as far as preparing against the offense in being a D-coordinator. Little things like that. You wouldn’t know it unless you’ve been there in the locker room with the guy. Having been there and seeing him up close and personal, I’ve never played for a better coach.