Interview with Dan Simelis
"I brought him down to Charlottesville in April. Probably out of all of the recruiting guys, Coach Powell is definitely a force there. They both like to fish, so they got that thing in common. They always have a good conversation when they talk. He spoke to Coach Shudel briefly - the line coach. That's important. He really liked Charlottesville when we were there. He had a great feel for the school and the campus and some of the kids that he talked to. He thought the facilities at Virginia were great. The stadium looks good."
- Montour HS Coach Don Morgan
Which schools are of high interest to you?
Virgina, Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt and Virginia Tech.
Have you made visits to all of them?
Yes. Wait, I haven't visited Virginia Tech yet. When I'm out at Virginia again, I'm going to visit Virginia Tech also. [The visit] will be sometime near the end of the month, or early July, I'm not sure.
Talk about your visit to Virginia, what was it like?
I liked it a lot. Real good weather when we weren't getting good weather up here. It was real nice down there. I like Charlottesville, it's not that bad a drive from my house - a little over five hours. It's a real nice town in general, and I like the school a lot. I like their facilities, all of their coaches - I had a real good visit.
Do you think you could become an immediate impact player in college, or do you feel you should be red-shirted?
I'm not going to say that I'm ready, because how would I know? I'm going to try to prepare myself any way I can, but there's no way I can really know right now. It's up to the coaches. If they put it up to me, then it's always nice to red-shirt. That way it helps you both ways. You can develop better physically, and it's easier to get your classes scheduled and handle everything easier.
How important is it to play close to home?
I want to stay within six hours just so my parents can see me play. That's pretty much the main concern. They want to be able to come and see my games.
Will education be an important part of your decision?
Very important, yes. That's one of the main reasons that Virginia is in my top 5, real high on my top 5 I should say. They have great academics and they have a very good football team.
What sort of curriculum do you think you'll enter?
I'm not sure right now. I was thinking some sort of business or maybe education and go into coaching, but I still really have no idea. My mom asked me last night, 'what do you want to do,' and I'm like, how do I know, I'm a junior in high school. I probably won't know until I'm a junior in college.
How will your family help you with your decision?
They'll have some influence, but they're going to go watch me play wherever I go. It's my decision, they told me that. As long as I can keep it close enough for them to be able to make a game without a problem - I said six hours, they said alright.
What do you enjoy most about playing football?
So many things. I just love being on a team. I like helping the team and playing for the school.
How tough has the recruiting process been for you thus far?
More crazy than tough. It starts to get a little tedious - over and over. During May it was constant, didn't have time to breathe. It was that bad. I was hanging up the phone and there was another coach beeping on the other line. One time I was at home for three hours straight talking to coaches.
How soon to you plan on making your college decision?
I'm not real sure. There's a chance that I might commit early. I definitely want to be able to see Virginia Tech and Virginia again, and possibly Michigan again. I just went to Ohio State last week. I'm going to have to narrow it down again. I still might wait until the season's over, I'm just not real sure right now.
When you're not playing football, what are your hobbies?
Hunting and fishing. I've been lifting a lot lately. I'd say that hunting and fishing would be my top two. I fish a lot.
What is your best asset on the field?
I'm quick off the ball and I go until the whistle. I make sure I go until the whistle blows.
What areas do you feel you'd like to improve?
Everyone would like to get as strong as they can. I'd like to get a lot stronger. Straight-ahead speed is only so important, but I'd like to be a little quicker in general.
How are you doing in school?
Pretty well. I've got a 3.5 now.
If a football career after college was not an option, what would you like to do?
I'm not sure. I'd consider coaching.
What's the most important thing in your life?
Family.
What would you like the college football world to know about you?
Here I come [laughs]. [More serious] I'm intense and I work hard.
Michael Ingalls, The Sabre, June 22, 2000
Dan Simelis is a standout offensive lineman from Montour High School in McKees Rocks, PA. He is currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally in just about every recruiting publication available. We had the opportunity to first speak with his head coach, Coach Don Morgan.
Dan Simelis"I like to compare him to a Tony Manderich-type kid. He's a big, long, tough kid. He's 297, but you'd never guess it. Big thick-legged kid - strong. He comes off the ball hard. He's very good. He's a great kid, probably one of the better leaders we've had here in the last ten years. He fits the mold of a Virginia kid. He's a 3.5 student.