Feb. 7, 2007
MEMPHIS, TENN. -
Opening Remarks
This is always an exciting day. It's kind of funny when you look at it because of the number of mid-years we have. If you just look at today, I thought today went really well. I think to get the effect of this class you have to look at all of the guys that are here. It is a class of what I think we needed. We needed experience in places and we got that with some junior college players. I know that one of the questions will probably be - are you a little bit top heavy with junior college guys? We probably went a little more than we have in the past because of the experience factor. I just thought we needed some older guys to fill in some places.
On Signing 11 Linemen
This class is exciting for me. A lot of times your class doesn't create great excitement if you don't have a lot of skill guys. This was a class that was basically linemen; 11 offensive and defensive linemen. Some of them can be interchanged and play both sides of the ball. Our division is a very physical division. We've been somewhat of an athletic offensive line and somewhat of an undersized defensive line. No longer. In order to win our division, you've got to be physical. If you look at the teams on our side, you've got to be able to play physical. So we've got a lot bigger as you can see with the linemen in this class.
On the Skills of the New Linemen
I feel great about these linemen. There are four junior college players among the linemen. We didn't give anything up to get bigger. I don't think there has been a point in time where I've been here where we're as good, as fast, as big and as deep as we are right now at o-line/d-line. I think we're deeper and better than we've ever been at that position.
On the Skill Players Signed
Like we always do we tried to go for speed with the skill guys. I think we got that. There are certainly some guys who if you put the ball in their hands, they can make a difference.
What Recruits Thought of Memphis During the Process
We went throughout the southeast again. The reception was really good. I think it was based on the three seasons that were really good and not necessarily based on the one that was not. I don't think that was a factor for us in getting these guys signed. Hats off to our staff. We were undermanned as everybody knows. I thought they did a great job. We just had to roll up our sleeves and get out there and get it done. There wasn't any reason to make excuses, and I thought that's what happened. We got it done.
On the Type of Players the Staff Looks For
We got people that fit what we wanted. I don't care if they have one star or five stars. I don't look at that. I don't care. I want guys who fit us as far as accountability; the type of people that we want. I like this class.
On What Recruits Look for in a Team
Outside of the academic part, I think playing is number one. I think guys want to go where they know they can play. Sometimes when you don't have a great year, I think maybe they see there is an opportunity for them to play a little bit quicker. I think it kind of worked to our advantage.
On the Help from Tiger Players in the Recruiting Process
Our players do a great job helping us because I think our players believe in the program. When guys come in, our players tell them exactly how it is. That's who players go to. They kind of listen to coaches, but they get tired of listening. After so many weeks, what are you going to tell them different? It's the same old junk you're telling them all the time. They get tired of hearing you. On their visits, they go ask the players their questions. I think our players do a really good job because I think they're happy. They like playing in this program.
On the Job the Staff did Recruiting
I couldn't have done my part a year ago the way I felt. We just had to do a little more this year and go to a few more places with less people. We were able to get it done. The old standbys (Clay Helton, Rick Mallory and Kenny Ingram) did a great job, and the two new guys (Garret Chachere and Derek Jones) did a good job of trying to jump in and help the team.
On the Hype of Signing Day
Way too much is made of today. I've always felt that way. I'm glad today is here. It certainly will affect the future of this program. How good it is, I don't know. Nobody does. I know we got people we wanted. We've been pretty good at evaluating in the past. We'll see down the road how good they are. I can't wait to get to work now with our team. I like the direction we're going in right now.
On Hiring a Defensive Coordinator
It's time for me to get moving now. I will take the next four days and get all my lists sorted out. Then I'll go out and travel or bring people in. I'll try to get this thing done as soon as I can. I'm getting anxious now. I'm kind of glad I didn't do anything earlier and let the smoke clear a little. Now I can go and hunt people I think can help this program. I know where my slots are now. I don't have a date, but I'm ready to move. It's starting to weigh on me now. Toward the end of recruiting I started to think about it and get a little bit anxious. Recruiting was at the utmost importance at the time. But now I can worry about coaches.
