Jimmy Lake took some time out today to talk to the media via teleconference about what’s been going on with the program, and what to expect going forward.

Lake started out by saying he hopes everyone is “healthy and safe”, and called these time “unprecedented”.

The timing of this didn’t have a huge effect on the team’s calendar up until now; the team had finals back on March 15th (remotely) and then went home for spring break. 

Lake told his players to stay put — although spring practice was set to commence tomorrow.

As far as the four players who were enrolling this spring from the 2020 class, Lake said “they still have enrolled”, and will be doing their studies online “once the crisis subsides.”

Lake also said Tim Socha has been conduct workouts online and players are also conducting their studies online.

“We have no idea what will happen”, Lake said when asked about what will go on between now and the end of May, but did say that he is continuing to keep camps on the calendar.

“Spring practice is not over yet”, he added, “If this does get back to normal we plan on 15 spring practices.”

Lake says he’s still “Hopeful and optimistic”.

During winter workouts, Lake said that Levi Onwuzurike and Elijah Molden had stepped into vocal leadership roles, and added that entire offense is very excited about what John Donovan is installing, calling it a “pro-style system”, and “more easy for a younger player to come in and play right away.”

And speaking on that topic, the question came up about quarterbacks. Lake said that (obviously) the veterans (Jacob Sirmon, Dylan Morris) are a step ahead, but that he feels Ethan Garbers will come in and be ready to compete as well.

As for recruiting, Lake said that this has actually worked out better in terms of recruits having to now rely on online research about what Washington Football is all about.

He went down a list of all the successes the Huskies have had with two Pac-12 championships in the last four years, NFL draft success, invites to the NFL combines, and just the idea now that recruits can get the facts and not just rely on hype.

Lake said he and the coaches have enjoyed texting and face-timing recruits and their families and just old-fashioned phone convos.

Lake offered his condolences to the Jim Lambright family, and said that his interactions with the former Husky coach over the years have been positive, “We always shook hands”, Lake said, “He’s say ‘thanks Jimmy — go Dawgs'”.

Aside from trying to get everything done online with his coaches and team, Lake has been able to spend a lot more time with his family. 

He said they’ve watched the majority of Harry Potter movies, taken more walks, but that he’d “wiped out my kids and wife” playing the Seattle version of Monopoly.

Did we mention that Lake is very competitive? He won’t even let his wife and kids win at board games…