Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q&A with senior DT Malik Haynes
10/17/2019 | 1:00:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Malik Haynes has been a force at defensive tackle for the Southern Illinois football program since his arrival to campus in 2016. The Chicago native has played some of his best football as a Saluki this season and is motivated to help SIU towards a playoff push in the coming weeks.
Did you grow up rooting for the Bears since you grew up in Chicago?
No, absolutely not. I'm actually a Packers fan because I used to like Brett Favre a lot. I grew up watching him every time he played. When he left the Packers, I decided to still follow and root for the Packers. I didn't realize how good Aaron Rodgers was going to be, but I'm glad it worked out.
Do your friends give you a hard time rooting for the Packers instead of the Bears?
All the time. Everybody is always criticizing me for being a Packers fan living in Chicago. But we're 5-1, so the Bears fans can't talk much trash right now.
Who was your favorite defensive lineman on the Packers growing up?
Reggie White. That hump move he had was legendary. He's the reason why I've tried incorporating that move into my game.
Bring me through the emotions you were having when your daughter was born last year.
She was born on August 30, 2018. We were on the bus ride to Murray State from the hotel because we had our first game of the season that night. I was just listening to music and all of a sudden, I got a call from my child's mother letting me know that she just had the baby. I couldn't even focus on the game because I was so excited that my daughter was born. But I managed to get it together before kickoff and performed good. I think it ended up helping me focus once I got in the game. Having my newborn gave me someone to play for.
How has life changed since the birth of your daughter?
It changed me for the better. It made me think more about my actions. I learned that everything doesn't need a reaction, but patience instead. You learn that some situations need a lot of patience and care. Having a child helped me master those aspects and gave me a reason to work for everything.
Can if be difficult juggling fatherhood, football and school?
Honestly, it hasn't been that bad. I feel like I'm handling it all very well. I am sitting at a 3.0 GPA this semester, so my grades are up to par. Having a child has motivated me to work hard. I want to make her proud. You're no longer just doing it for yourself. You have to give everything you have 100% of the time. Time management is important to making that happen because I have class, practice, treatment, meetings and homework most days. On top of that, I make sure to find time to FaceTime my daughter everyday since she's living up in Chicago.
You have been playing some of your best football as a Saluki these past few weeks. What has pushed your play to the next level?
I've just been battling and following the new schemes that our defensive coordinator (Jason Petrino) has created. I believe it's made us more successful as a defense. Because of that, I have been able to get going.
What have you improved most on since last season?
My conditioning, pad level and moves. I have a lot more moves than I had in the past. A lot of that credit goes to the coaches who have helped me out with that aspect of my game.
How has working with coaches Chuka Ndulue and Jared Petrino been?
Those two have really advanced my game play. They are helping me become a complete player through teaching fundamentals and putting me through different drills that transfer over from practice to the game.
Is being a 5'11 defensive tackle beneficial?
Some people may think of it as a con, but I think my height was God-given. He gave me a low center of gravity so that I could have an upper hand on all of my opponents. Being the shoulder plug is why I am as good as I am.
Your position often does a lot of the "dirty work" with little recognition. Have you embraced that role?
I see playing defensive line as the background in a movie. It's the background and production team that gets the movie rolling. Without it, there's no movie for someone to watch months later. We have players that are the face of the team like actors and we have others like me that are in the supporting role. The defensive line are the guys that try and make everything clique and go the right way. It helps me realize how important my role is.
What can you do to help SIU towards a playoff push in your last season with the program?
We just have to win from here on out. The defense needs to continue to bring that high intensity every down. I know the offense is going to get hot. As soon as they do, you're going to be watching the playoff team we know we can be.
What are your plans after graduating?
My plan is to pursue a career in the NFL. If I can get one foot in the door, then I'm going to be around for a long time.
Did you grow up rooting for the Bears since you grew up in Chicago?
No, absolutely not. I'm actually a Packers fan because I used to like Brett Favre a lot. I grew up watching him every time he played. When he left the Packers, I decided to still follow and root for the Packers. I didn't realize how good Aaron Rodgers was going to be, but I'm glad it worked out.
Do your friends give you a hard time rooting for the Packers instead of the Bears?
All the time. Everybody is always criticizing me for being a Packers fan living in Chicago. But we're 5-1, so the Bears fans can't talk much trash right now.
Who was your favorite defensive lineman on the Packers growing up?
Reggie White. That hump move he had was legendary. He's the reason why I've tried incorporating that move into my game.
Bring me through the emotions you were having when your daughter was born last year.
She was born on August 30, 2018. We were on the bus ride to Murray State from the hotel because we had our first game of the season that night. I was just listening to music and all of a sudden, I got a call from my child's mother letting me know that she just had the baby. I couldn't even focus on the game because I was so excited that my daughter was born. But I managed to get it together before kickoff and performed good. I think it ended up helping me focus once I got in the game. Having my newborn gave me someone to play for.
How has life changed since the birth of your daughter?
It changed me for the better. It made me think more about my actions. I learned that everything doesn't need a reaction, but patience instead. You learn that some situations need a lot of patience and care. Having a child helped me master those aspects and gave me a reason to work for everything.
Can if be difficult juggling fatherhood, football and school?
Honestly, it hasn't been that bad. I feel like I'm handling it all very well. I am sitting at a 3.0 GPA this semester, so my grades are up to par. Having a child has motivated me to work hard. I want to make her proud. You're no longer just doing it for yourself. You have to give everything you have 100% of the time. Time management is important to making that happen because I have class, practice, treatment, meetings and homework most days. On top of that, I make sure to find time to FaceTime my daughter everyday since she's living up in Chicago.
You have been playing some of your best football as a Saluki these past few weeks. What has pushed your play to the next level?
I've just been battling and following the new schemes that our defensive coordinator (Jason Petrino) has created. I believe it's made us more successful as a defense. Because of that, I have been able to get going.
What have you improved most on since last season?
My conditioning, pad level and moves. I have a lot more moves than I had in the past. A lot of that credit goes to the coaches who have helped me out with that aspect of my game.
How has working with coaches Chuka Ndulue and Jared Petrino been?
Those two have really advanced my game play. They are helping me become a complete player through teaching fundamentals and putting me through different drills that transfer over from practice to the game.
Is being a 5'11 defensive tackle beneficial?
Some people may think of it as a con, but I think my height was God-given. He gave me a low center of gravity so that I could have an upper hand on all of my opponents. Being the shoulder plug is why I am as good as I am.
Your position often does a lot of the "dirty work" with little recognition. Have you embraced that role?
I see playing defensive line as the background in a movie. It's the background and production team that gets the movie rolling. Without it, there's no movie for someone to watch months later. We have players that are the face of the team like actors and we have others like me that are in the supporting role. The defensive line are the guys that try and make everything clique and go the right way. It helps me realize how important my role is.
What can you do to help SIU towards a playoff push in your last season with the program?
We just have to win from here on out. The defense needs to continue to bring that high intensity every down. I know the offense is going to get hot. As soon as they do, you're going to be watching the playoff team we know we can be.
What are your plans after graduating?
My plan is to pursue a career in the NFL. If I can get one foot in the door, then I'm going to be around for a long time.
Players Mentioned
DT
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