Recapping ACC Kickoff 2019

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The ACC Kickoff returned to Charlotte this week and Clemson was the talk of the town, as they should be.

The defending National Champions highlighted the two-day media event with new UNC head coach Mack Brown gathering the rest of the attention.

The Tigers have won the last four ACC title games.

On Day One, the Atlantic Division coaches and players held press conferences with the Coastal Division taking over Day Two.

The Atlantic Division will undoubtedly be led by Clemson again and the Coastal Division will once again be anyone's to win.

The @ACCFootball Atlantic Coaches -- -- pic.twitter.com/zzzbcpkEGr

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

Every team aside from the Virginia Cavaliers have won the Coastal over the last six years.

Day ✌--of #ACCKickOffWe’re live from 10-6 only on 610AM/102.5FM OR the @Radiodotcom app pic.twitter.com/55wjzj9DBS

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

WFNZ was there for all the action and welcomed many coaches and players on air.

Take a look at some of the most notable quotes, moments and interviews.

Atlantic Division:
Clemson Tigers:

Head coach Dabo Swinney, offensive guard John Simpson and safety Tanner Muse represented Clemson with Swinney joining The Clubhouse with Kyle Bailey.

"We've had eight 10-plus winning seasons in a row and have been very consistent. The reason for that is we start over. You heard these guys talk about it. Truly, we don't carry everything over. It's a new team, there are new challenges. You got to redevelop the leadership, reinstall the core values." -Swinney

Despite a revamped defensive line, Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney is ready for the challenge.From @ClubhouseKB pic.twitter.com/VPBLmWENbG

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

"I think it comes -- I mean, it comes just from the success. Tasting the success, being able to continue to strive to get to the top of the mount, top of the totem pole." -Tanner Muse on what continues to drive them.

Simpson continued to fuel the Clemson-Alabama rivalry with a response to Alabama head coach Nick Saban and linebacker Dylan Moses saying they weren't prepared for the Tigers and they're still the better team.

"I personally feel like Notre Dame was the best team that we played. Notre Dame was really good. I think Notre Dame was better than Alabama was."

Unprofessional https://t.co/OMZmC7avrO

— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) July 18, 2019

Simpson also made more headlines as he decided to take matters into his own hands with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, not in attendance.

NC State Wolfpack:

Head coach Dave Doeren, offensive tackle Justin Witt and defensive end James Smith-Williams represented the Wolfpack.

Doeren joined The Clubhouse to discuss the team's replacement at quarterback with Ryan Finley no longer around. Junior transfer Bailey Hockman from Florida State and redshirt freshman Dennis Leary are the two competing for the starting quarterback spot.

Interview: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/dave-doeren-previews-...

.@PackFootball head coach @StateCoachD joining the @ClubhouseKB with @KyleBaileyWFNZ pic.twitter.com/8Mmh68xK66

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

"It would be great to be able to give you a timeline. I think when it shows itself to us, we'll know. There's a lot of data that we accumulate on a day-to-day basis when we start practice from completion rate to touchdown interceptions to who can stay on the field, create the most first downs, to our red zone opportunities, what happens down there, do they score, kick a field goal, turn it over, two-minute drills." -Doeren on naming a starting QB.

Doeren also spoke about now having alcohol at home games.

"Selfishly, absolutely, I would love to see everybody staying in there because it helps us win. At the end of the day I think everybody would agree that's our job here, is to win as many games as we can and do it right the right way, so our fans can enjoy it and in my opinion be a part of it because that's a strength for us."

"I think coach Doeren has a standard, and that standard is raised every day. He set the bar high. He's shown us also what it's like to be a man, handle your business. I think that's reflected on the field, as well."

Wake Forest Demon Deacons:

Head coach Dave Clawson, running back Cade Carney and linebacker Justin Strnad represented Wake Forest.

Clawson joined The Clubhouse to discuss the team's quarterback situation and the expectations with many returners. Sophomore Sam Hartman and redshirt junior Jamie Newman are competing for the starting job. Both were starters at one point last season.

Interview: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/dave-clawson-previews...

.@WakeFB head coach @CoachClawson joining @KyleBaileyWFNZ at #ACCKickoff now on @ClubhouseKB pic.twitter.com/wOgLPDCQO1

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

"I have great confidence in both of them. Historically, we have not gotten through a season there healthy at the quarterback position. So as much as I'm worried about who the starter is, I'm also concerned with who's going to be our third, who is our fourth. We have to make sure we're continuing to develop the position." -Clawson.

Carney joined Wilson & Parcell to close out the midday hour.

"The good thing about the two quarterbacks is I've been telling everyone this year, they both have a mean handoff. They do a great job of putting that ball in my gut. So it makes it easy for me." -Carney.

Wake Forest running back @CadeCarney10 joins @JoshParcell on @Wilson_Parcell LIVE right now from #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/esFcKh0aSA

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

Coastal Division:

Duke Blue Devils:

Head coach David Cutcliffe, quarterback Quentin Harris and linebacker Koby Quansah represented the Blue Devils.

Cutcliffe joined Kyle on The Clubhouse to talk about replacing Daniel Jones at quarterback with Harris and facing Alabama in Week One.

"You could take the Coastal Division and pick it one through seven, then flip it over, and somebody else could take the seven down through what you chose as the one, have just as good a chance of being right as the person that picked first."- Cutcliffe.

The ACC Coastal can have any team 1-7 win the division, but @DukeFOOTBALL head coach David Cutcliffe believes the league as a whole is better than it's ever been. #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/niHb1jqoFa

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

Harris also joined WFNZ to discuss taking over at quarterback: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/quentin-harris-talks-...

"I'm definitely very confident in my abilities to pass. I think our offensive game will continue to kind of thrive on a nice balanced approach" -Harris

.@DukeFOOTBALL quarterback Quentin Harris joining @KyleBaileyWFNZ now on @ClubhouseKB from #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/wBVbqITW0W

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

UNC Tar Heels:

Head coach Mack Brown, offensive tackle Charlie Heck and safety Myles Dorn represented UNC.

Brown joined The Clubhouse and discussed his thoughts on the rapid increase of the Transfer Portal and bringing back title expectations to Carolina.

Interview: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/clubhouse-kyle-bailey...

UNC football head coach Mack Brown is not a fan of the rapid growing Transfer Portal. #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/Q2aOiAYJtZ

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

"We want to come back and get it back like it was. But even better, we'd love nothing more than to win a national championship here." -Brown.

Brown added that UNC expects to run the ball a lot and not use the "Air Raid."

He went on to say that the Tar Heels biggest question this summer was to figure out who will be the team's starting quarterback.

Sam Howell, Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder are competing for the job.

"He brought an excitement to the team that I ha'n't seen before, not just only on the team but in the community. People are talking about Carolina football. That's been really special to be a part of right now." -Heck.

Interview with Charlie Heck: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/charlie-heck-previews...

.@TarHeelFootball offensive lineman Charlie Heck joining @KyleBaileyWFNZ on the @ClubhouseKB now from #ACCKickoff pic.twitter.com/jBtDrzd2Qk

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

Virginia Tech Hokies:

Head coach Justin Fuente, tight end Dalton Keene and defensive back Reggie Floyd represented the Hokies.

Fuente joined The Clubhouse to discuss how Virginia Tech hopes to bounce back and who the starting quarterback will be.

Interview: https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse-kyle-bailey/clubhouse-kyle-bailey...

Joining us now is @HokiesFB head coach Justin Fuente on the @ClubhouseKB with @KyleBaileyWFNZEvery Virginia Tech game will be broadcasted live on WFNZ pic.twitter.com/41CDIyLpus

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

"Part of that deal is I have guys on our roster, one of whom you alluded to (Oregon transfer Braxton Burmeister), that plays quarterback that I don't know yet if he's going to be eligible or not. I promised those guys opportunities to compete for the job. I don't think it would be wise of me to close the job before I know who's eligible to compete for it."

"This year the chemistry, the bond that we have, all the mental issues where people were second guesting their techniques, things like that, all have changed. Now it's just a great relationship between everybody that's on the defense." -Floyd.

Just two Hokies at #ACCKickoff -- -- Kyle and Reggie Floyd pic.twitter.com/TLon6b9lNa

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 18, 2019

Commissioners Forum:

ACC commissioner John Swofford hosted his annual forum with the new ACC Network set to launch on August 22 being the main topic.

A documentary called "The Class That Saved Coach K" and Clemson's perfect 2018 season will highlight the network's productions being released.

Former App State and current Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield will have his first season at Louisville be documented as well.

"The ACC Network will give our schools a national platform to showcase our campuses, our coaches, our student-athletes. This will result in 24/7 ACC

programming, increased exposure for our athletic programs, our student-athletes, our entire universities, and their communities."

ACC Commissioner John Swofford says if you don't have it and want the ACC Network then call your TV carrier and demand that you want it while being passionate telling them.He also says that the ACC expects to be in Charlotte for "A very long time." pic.twitter.com/VReuvAvv8j

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) July 17, 2019

Other notable interviews: