Good morning. Happy spring football. I think I spent 2 hours getting this all done on Saturday, to not only do the typing, but to also double-check on making sure I have the correct names of players. It was a lot (over 3,000 words) and I am sure you’ve already read about part of what was said on Friday, but there was a ton of info between the 4 coaches who spoke on Friday afternoon. In retrospect I probably should have broken this up into multiple posts, but I have never been that smart when it comes to figuring out content. As you well know, these are not actual quotes, but me typing as fast as I can while listening to the audio. I am sure there are still errors and misspellings, but I did make a pretty good effort. Enjoy!

Head Coach Joey McGuire

Great to see everyone and excited. [Discusses all of the success that the various Texas Tech programs are having].

The Womble is the best facility in the country, we work in a football resort. I hope I didn’t miss any teams and a lot of fun in spring sports.

Out for spring coming off of surgeries: RB Cam’Ron Valdez (knee), DE Dooda Banks (knee), Devynn Cromwell (shoulder), Behren Morton (shoulder), LB S Bryce Ramirez (shoulder), Chapman Lewis (knee), LB Justin Horne (knee), QB Lloyd Jones (knee), OL Connor Carty (knee), OLB Dylan Spencer (knee), and OG Vinny Scuirry (knee).

They are all in great shape, Behren went for his follow up in California and in a great spot. No setbacks.

Excited about the spring, starting my 31st of spring football. There will be a lot of competition in the secondary, offensive line and defensive line. Excited for the two new coordinators, are maybe ahead when it comes to the install.

We’ve got to make great strides in the offensive line and secondary. Schematically and talent, but if you look at last year, but we were close and it was offensive line play and one of the worst teams in the secondary and the worst team giving up explosive plays in the secondary.

Great energy and the football schools installing our offense and defense, they are great teachers and it is the detail and at a high level. Coach Greene has played in this defense and been with Coach Wood as a player and a coach. Jack Teachey is a senior defensive analyst and is helping out with the front. That is big for us, the teachers and the detail is going to make a big difference.

I listened to Coach Venables press conference, when I was hired at Cedar Hill that to keep your job you have to win games. the expectations are high. CJ Ah You, pressure is a privilege. I do think that any time you can eliminate excuses as to why you are not winning at the highest level, when you can get and recruit anyone, but adding the Womble and it is all about the coaches and players and getting the job done. We expect and need to win. It is a pivotal time to get into the playoffs as a program.

It is really fun, Clay McGuire is doing a phenomenal job of rotating spots. Jacob Ponton is 308 now is at right tackle. We feel like we are 2-deep at offensive line. Hunter Zambrano is at right guard, Davion Carter is playing right guard and center. Will Jados is at right tackle, Howard Sampson is at left tackle and the only guy we don’t move. Nick Fattig is at left or right guard. Dylan Shaw primarily at left guard. Danny Sill is at right tackle. Vinny Scuiry is coming back, he’ll be working full in June or July. The biggest thing is to find our best 5 guys and where they fit. Can’t wait to get next Friday and have helmet and shoulder pads on. They will have their hands full, Lee Hunter and Skyler Gill-Howard is a dynamic ball and reminds me of Ed Oliver. Anthony Holmes is having a great winter, Romello Height is iron sharpens iron situation. First 3 games may play more than just 5 guys. Old guys we brought in, Sheridan Wilson is in the old guy category, and the new guys like Fattig, Danny Sill, Dylan Shaw, Jacob Ponton, Ellis Davis had a great week and seeing some depth and that will work itself out over camp.

Mo Horn has had a really good camp, he played at 178-180 last year and is at 192. Has had a really good winter. One corner could help out at safety, like Amier or Grant, both of those guys are long big guys. Been happy with all of the corners. Mo Horn, Brice Pollack, Amier Boyd, Tarrion Grant and Dontae Balfour have all played college football at a high level. Those guys that played a lot. Cole is the boundary safety is the free safety Malik Esquerra. Brendan Jordan is the high safety, Oliver Miles, and Peyton Morgan. With what Wood does defensively, AJ McCarty and Dingle to the star position, Miquel Dingle has had a great offseason. Marcus Ramon-Edwards is there. We haven’t had this much competition since I’ve been here.

Will Hammond will get the 1’s, and Mitch Griffis will get the 2’s. Mack Leftwich is a great evaluator. Mitch has been awesome for the room, understands the room, is mobile and has been good for Will and Behren. Holden Phillips, a mid-year freshman, is the #3 guy. Jaden Morris has been helping a lot, he played QB at Lamar and he’s played running back and receiving and if we need an extra arm, he can be that. Lindsey Scott is our assistant quarterback coach, won the Walter Payton Award, he threw 60 touchdowns in this offense, he is constantly talking to the other guys and going through the calls and signals.

We’ve been up front with everyone on the roster. We have to be at 105 before the 1st game if everything goes through. We have a mixture of guys that have to make the 105 or they have the opportunity to get into the portal. We have generational Red Raiders, like DE Tanner Allen, but he will graduate from Texas Tech and he has to make the 105. you can replace someone if you have a season ending injury in camp. Once we declare the 105 we cannot replace. We’ve been sitting down with guys and you have to understand where you are at. We’re going to help those find a place to play.

It is always good to get a different perspective and constantly asking what they need from me. We’ve always been a big situational team, probably have not been through as many situations as we do and think they are excited about that. They run a good room and the coaches are on the same page. They both have some juice to them and are different. They have a confidence and swagger.

I would love to have guys like Xavier White back, Taylor Young, Brian Nance, Cole Maxwell, Jackson Kimble, Garrett McGuire, and Xavier White, he’s not that far removed from playing. He’s a hard worker and he loves Texas Tech and I love that energy. Juice coached him and he’s been really good for that room, mixture of young and old guys, especially for those young guys.

I think the biggest thing, and we expect those guys ready to go in may, June or July, I feel like they can get on the board and they can get in on install, but until it is a live situation and have to get reps when they get back. This morning we had our last football school, the depth that we have with guys that have played a lot of college football. It is good to see the roster we do have. Everyone is making each other better because you are going against some really talented people, Howard Sampson is having to deal with Romello Height and vice-versa, Romello’s movement and length is impressive. The new guys are very appreciative of being here. Sampson sent me a text, had to take 25 pound plates and has to go down and back and he’s 6-8/350 doing this and it’s kicking his tail and he’s celebrating, but I sent him a text to tell him how I appreciate his energy and he sent a text back about how the best players are challenging each other to be better.

Sheil’s process has done a great job of re-learning and very A to B to C and not going to the next call until we get one thing completed. Next week we are going to 3rd down and it is good to see that reassurance and Phil Snow was big on that. With Mack offensively he is going to run the football and his dad is an o-line coach and he’s got the air-raid, part of Art Briles wide splits and choice routs and also some run-and-shoot concepts and never been part of an offense that mixes all 3 of those things.

I started out on the phone telling the recruits that they are going to be in the best facility in the country and these guys have seen other places. They said that this is the best facility in the country and the flow of the building ,the access to fueling, the spa area, the weight room. We have great people in our building and we have people that want to make them the best versions of themselves. We’ll open back up with some high school recruits March 29th and April 12th and have some official visits in April so guys can get out here and see it and bring a bunch of guys out for the spring game, going to draft teams and won’t televise it and everyone come to Lubbock Texas on April 19th.

I love going to the training room and our guys really believe in recovery and taking care of their bodies and guys getting in the cryo-chamber or getting, have not gone to the barber shop yet, have one every Wednesday and Thursday and that training room area has great energy.

At receiver, Reggie Virgil is on the outside left and he can fly and one of the fastest guys on the team, that was Coy’s position. Coy Eakin is playing slot. Caleb Douglas is on the right side where he played last year. Johncarolos Miller and Terrance Carter are inter-changeable. TC will play the slot also. Behind Reggie is Tyson Turner, Leyton Stone and in the slot is Kelby Vaslin and LJ Johnson and behind CD is TJ West and Michael Dever. Price Morgan is playing in the slot, Haydon Wiggingtn is playing the slot. Jason Llewellyn is the 3rd tight and with Trey Jackson. First group is big, everyone is 6’2″ or better.

The field end is Braylon Rigsby, Charles Esters, Eddy Smith, and Charles Anderson. We moved Amier Washington inside because we’re in an odd front and moved to the boundary tackle. At the Dog position, which is outside linebacker we have Romello, Isaac Smith, Joseph Adedire, Isaiah Crawford, Cheta Ofili, a very athletic position. Terrell Tillman and Ansel Nedore is at the field end. Ansel is at 277 right now, I am really proud at what Lance Barlow and Hannah Peterson have done to get some great gains and maintain the gains. Ellis Davis is about to be over 300 pounds and he’s gotten so big. Eddy Smith is 6’5″ and 280 right now. Leyton Stone has gained 10 pounds since January 10th. Ansel has had a good winter.

July 1st is what we are expecting revenue sharing payments to start.

Running Backs Coach Garrett McGuire

Just coach every guy every day. At some point when we get to August and September, but just keep coaching them and eventually they will pop.

Whatever it takes to score points, we have a lot of special players on offense and puts the best 11 guys on the field and are talented all over the place and do whatever it takes to win on Saturdays.

There is no way that anyone is more excited than me, this place means a lot to me and I’m excited to be here.

I thought it was time and I thought I learned and grew and learned different systems and mentors, but when I got the call it was a dream come true.

My biggest mentor is Coach Rhule and then Ben MacAdoo and Ben Campon, Joe Brady and Marcus Satterfield. [Ed. Note: I did not double-check the names of these coaches.]

This is the best place I’ve ever been around and what it can provide for recovery, weight room, access, walk-through room is insane and is a game changer for the program and how to best utilize that. This place is second to none.

Just be there for Cam’Ron every day. We’re doing indie drills, but I am excited to see what we can do when he can get out there with us.

Obviously we have a huge expectation and Tahj Brooks was so talented and set a high standard and no drop-off. All 4 of those guys is the versatility, none are the same and bring their own thing. They work their tail off. J’Koby Williams is 185 now and squatted 505, Cam Dickey is 210 to 214, hit 505 like that. Adam Hill is 230 hit 495. Quinten Joyner set a PR in bench and squat and then ran 21.96 on GPS. Guys are pretty special and I’m excited. Competition raises the level of play. Someone is going to rise to occasion and excited to see that unfold.

To be a back you have to be a true 3-down back, so all of them is teaching defensive structure, eliminate defensive guys pre-snap and get them out involved in pass-pro and get all of them to rise to Tahj’s level.

Joyner is a true 3-down back and he’s very competitive and he is looking to go 60 every time. He has good ball skils and growing in pass-pro and coming into an entirely different offense and new scheme. Has real speed and change of direction.

Because of his versatility and his toughness, J’Koby Williams, he is the brand every day. He is a tough little dude, and he’s not little.

Cornerbacks Coach Darcel McBath

Been great and getting to know my guys and personalities and that camaraderie and looking forward to spring ball.

Goals are to continue to improve and can take big strides in our room, I think we have the right players and mentality and work ethic. Being contributors to the team.

Not jealous at all about the new facility [jokes]. When we played here we didn’t feel like we were missing anything. But when you walk in here, you realize it does get better, and am happy to see where our university is on it’s trajectory. Some of our guys who have been other places are saying the same thing and where we are headed as a university.

Someone stands out differently every day. The number of guys we have creates competition, our meetings are intensive because guys are locked in because the competition level has changed. The guys who stand out every day, Brice Pollack, Mo Horn, Ashton Hampton, Amier Boyd, but every day they take turns.

I just try to simplify it for them maximizing who you can be today so tomorrow you can build on it. Hard work and dedication, you have time to get where you want to go if you start stacking days. A lot of those guys will be able to accomplish those goals.

I think it is the same speed, but don’t know if it is. I can get out in the mix an show them how they want it, but as a coach you have to verbalize what you want. I’m almost 39 years old and can still do those things.

Mo Horn the thing he has to continue is emotional maturity, he has the physical gifts and tools, he can play press and zone and an above-the-neck player and he has to have that emotional maturity to have take players along with you and be a leader.

My favorite Leach story I can’t share with you all, I have so many, I think the biggest impact was how hard he was on us, and how much he loved us. We have coach McGuire talks to guys every day, with Leach it was maybe 4 or 5 times, but they were impactful and they resonate now and since I’ve graduated and that’s why we were so close.

Mindset was the #1 thing to be successful and change the thought processes and the expectations and never folding. always work to that standard. The physical stuff and practice stuff will come, but the mental side and the mentality is #1.

I’ve been fortunate, I’ve never had a bad coach, so I take something from al of them. The one i take the most from is Carlos Mainord from here, I wasn’t a straight-A student and do things the right way all of the time and changed positions, but the way he approached and coached helped me be who i am today. Ed Donatell is a fantastic coach and Dave Brown. There is so many. I keep a booklet of things I’ve taken from coaches.

Fortunate to be here last year. Ashton Hampton is going to be a good player. Boss (Isaiah) Collins is going to be good as he develops. Brice Pollack and Balfour and those 2 and Amier Boyd, they’ve been playing fantastic. They are leaders and want it. They are probably sitting in my office to watch film from this morning. that’s what you have to have. It’s been a good spring thus far.

Brice for me had all of the skills had to play early and play as a true freshman and good to see his maturity. Scratching the surface where he’s going to be in the fall.

It is so fun and gratifying to be here. When I got into this profession, this was my dream job because I love it. Every Saturday I’m watching the ticker or watching the game, I’m an alumni and a fan. To be here and put your hands on it, I am blessed and excited.

Safeties Coach Rob Greene

Try to build off of 4 fundamentals: have to talk, have to run, have to hit, and play with leverage. I think whatever Wood calls is great, but if we can’t do those 4 things then we’re not going to be as good as we could be.

I think it is a day-by-day process. For probably half of our school it has been talking and we can’t get beat before the ball is snapped. We have to make it simple so those guys can play fast. If we have guys being quiet then they are not confident, but we need to emphasize the knowledge and then the confidence will come.

We had 1 transfer. We have a good mixture of veteran leadership, guys like Cole Wisniewski, AJ McCarty, Lewis Chapman, they have seen things happen and have a good group of young kids that can be good. Right now it is a fun group. Do not have to coach effort and body language, just have to coach football.

Very easy, almost didn’t let McGuire get the full question out to let him know I’m coming. This is the nicest building I’ve ever been in, have a great attitude and great gratitude. The walk-through room can get a lot done of alignment and assignment without having to take a rep, but it is right beside the meeting rom and can go through some things and a competitive advantage for us.

For the most part it is alignment and seeing things and initial reaction. And our secondary is played in space and training our eyes and feet to be tied together and getting better pre-snap and that space helps us do that.

When I was at Tulane we would go to LSU and they had something similar, but didn’t actually go in and see it.

Defense is an attitude, either you have it or your don’t. Have to practice physical, in football school there’s no hitting or tackling, but we do coach on how they need to take on a block, the guys that want to get off a block can make a tackle. We want to make sure we’re out-hitting who we are playing.

We have an awesome defensive staff, my third school with Wood. Seeing how that has evolved and he’s simplified things and streamlined things together. Coach McBath’s experience here and in the NFL, if there is a time I can send players to coach McBath about what it takes to get to the next level.

Cole Wisniewski is a grown man and is married and mature, he comes to work every day, he comes with the right mentality and he’s played for some great coaches and am excited what he can do at this level. He elevates people around him. how he studies and how smart he is.

We have 3 spots out of our room, free, strong and star. Star is more of nickel, Sam hybrid, linebacker, nickel cover, or apex safety. Free is the boundary and try to be as multiple, can drop in the box or post or half. Strong will do the same to the field. They put more space to the field, but every call someone is going to play man on a different route or technique. Try to identify and place them at spots, but the best 5 play.

At free safety it is Cole Wisniewski, Malik Esquerra, Luke Dillingham, Mikal Harrison-Pilot.

At strong safety BJ Jordan, Chapman Lewis, Oliver Miles, Peyton Morgan, Sammy Morris.

Star is AJ McCarty, Miquel Dingle, BJ still works some there, Marcus Ramon-Edwards, and Chief Collins.