TOWSON, Md. - With the Colonial Athletic Association champion Tigers on the verge of making their NCAA FCS playoff debut, CAA Coach of the Year Rob Ambrose took a few minutes to chat with TowsonTigers.com.

QUESTION: How do you feel about the Tigers' NCAA FCS playoff draw?
COACH AMBROSE: “Whether or not we got seeded isn't important to me. I'm a first-year playoff coach and a neophyte at this level so I am just grateful that we are part of the playoffs. I think it's pretty cool that we get to play Lehigh. I have so much respect for their coach and that program. All I know is that we got a bye and a home game and two weeks to prepare for an opponent. That's what we wanted. To hear people on campus talking about a Division I playoff game at home is awesome.”

QUESTION: How do you feel about being one of five CAA teams in the FCS playoffs? COACH AMBROSE: “That type of recognition speaks to the quality of play in this league. We have great players and great coaches and great programs. I think there was a point this season where we had nine teams ranked in the Top 25. That is amazing.”

QUESTION: Your team went 1-10 last year. Now, your team is CAA champions and hosting an NCAA playoff game. How did this happen?
COACH AMBROSE: “The only way to explain it is like this. It took a ridiculous amount of hard work and dedication by everyone involved - the players, the coaches, the support staff and the administration. At the same time, everyone has had fun doing it. When we started here three years ago, we knew we were playing in a league with some outstanding football programs that were well-established and we knew we had to catch up. We felt we had to do 15 years of work in a very short time.”

QUESTION: What does having a home playoff game mean to your team?
COACH AMBROSE: “As an alum, I am just so proud to be a Towson Tiger when I see and hear all those students be so involved in our games. The pride that is developing across the student landscape is a marvel to watch. Our students change the energy level of a game with their passion and excitement. When one goes off to war, having someone behind you, believing in you, makes a world of difference in your focus. Our players flat out LOVE our students.”

QUESTION: What was it like for your team to meet President Barack Obama last week? COACH ROB AMBROSE: “He seems like such a normal guy and he made it so easy for us. We were out on the basketball floor at halftime and everyone was cheering for us. The president was in the front row and he started clapping. Then, he came out towards us and all of our guys wanted to shake his hand and get their picture taken with him. For someone who deals with that kind of stuff all the time, he handled a bunch of football players really well. It was an experience none of us will ever forget and it was an exciting day for everyone involved.”

QUESTION: Lehigh is the eighth nationally-ranked team you have played this season.What makes Lehigh so good?
COACH ROB AMBROSE: “All season long, I've been saying the same thing when we played one nationally-ranked CAA team after another. I would just day 'same challenge, different uniform.' That's how Lehigh looks to us.”