"I purposely wanted a lower-rated team... reaching for that ACC championship!"
This week, we catch up with Stanford's Ninjanano98, who brings his Pacific Northwest sensibilities and realistic approach to the Cardinal's ACC campaign.
Q: What drew you to Stanford and the ACC?
A: I'm from Oregon, and I have always been an Oregon State fan. I wasn't quite ready to play as them yet, but I wanted to pick somewhere close to home. Stanford had been pretty middle-tier, and they switched to the ACC this year. It felt right.
Q: Tell us about your coaching philosophy.
A: Pretty lax, honestly. I play to enjoy it and have always tried to maintain a realistic approach. This league fits perfectly with my play style.
Q: What's your strategy this season with that 84 OVR rating?
A: (smiling) Well, I purposely wanted a lower-rated team, but not too low, so 84 is perfect for what I was looking for. With only a 3.5-win goal, I plan to keep doing what I've been doing and try to reach for that ACC championship!
Q: Which rivalry game means the most to you?
A: The only rivalry I truly care about is the "Civil War"—the Platypus Trophy game. That's just because it's where I was born and raised. I always grew up watching the Ducks and Beavs go at it. I'm sad to see it change, but I'm glad they could keep it on the schedule.
Q: What is the most memorable NDL moment so far?
A: (laughing) I'm still pretty new - only my third season - but beating Reign last season stands out. I went into that game fully expecting to get demolished by his Notre Dame team, and somehow came out up by 28 points. Being new, I knew he was one of the higher-graded coaches, so I was shocked at the outcome. We are expecting a full comeback from him in our match this season!
Q: What brought you back for another season?
A: I've enjoyed my first two seasons here, and it just fits my playstyle perfectly—I plan on being here as long as I can.
Q: How do you prepare for big games?
A: I usually play a few dynasty games with different teams or some challenges in Ultimate Team. Keep it simple.
Editor's Note: After leading Stanford to an 8-5 record last season, Ninjanano98 returns with his laid-back approach and championship aspirations. His 19-17 career record shows that a relaxed attitude can sometimes produce profound results.
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