Chat with Tommy Tuberville
Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, new Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville stops by ESPNDallas.com to answer questions concerning the Red Raiders.
Tuberville, the only football coach in Auburn history to beat in-state rival Alabama six consecutive times, resigned in 2008 after completing his 10th season with the Tigers.
After more than a year away from the game, he accepted the head coaching position in Lubbock -- tasked with quelling the turmoil left behind by his predecessor, Mike Leach.
Send your questions now and join Tuberville at ESPNDallas.com on Wednesday at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET!
Buzzmaster (2:01 PM)
We've got Coach!
Minrul (Fort Worth)
Coach,We all know that the QB position will be one of the biggest competitions of the offseason. At what point in the offseason do see yourself being able to name the starter for the first game? Looking forward to a great season.Thanks
Tommy Tuberville (2:02 PM)
I'd like to know something by at least 3/4 of the way through spring practice. Maybe not name the starter, but let one of the guys know that he's leading and other guys that he's second and create a little competition.
Brent (Houston)
what position do you see as a priority for the 2011 recruiting class?
Tommy Tuberville (2:03 PM)
You always look for defensive lineman, no matter what position you're short in. We have to look at RB. We do have some young WRs, but as many WRs as we play in the game, we'll be looking at WRs. We'll only have 15-18 scholarships next year.
Brian (Lubbock)
Tommy... I'm sure you've been getting this alot, but what kind of Offense will we be looking at? Will you keep the spread, or will you stick to the ground game like you did with Cadillac and Ronnie Brown?
Tommy Tuberville (2:04 PM)
We will be a spread offense. We will be predominantly a throwing team. But we also have good RBs. I don't want to abandon the running game, but we will throw the ball to set up the run. Normally you do the opposite.
Scott (Odessa,Texas)
Hey Coach Tuberville. How does your family like West Texas and is there any way we can get a new Raider Vision for the stadium? Ours is so outdated
Tommy Tuberville (2:05 PM)
They like it very well. The weather's been a little inconsistent, but it's been that way all over the country. We're looking forward to the spring time as well as the fall.
M. Walters (Dallas, TX)
Will you want to schedule harder OOC opponents for Tech in the future?
Tommy Tuberville (2:06 PM)
As we speak, we're trying to schedule at least one BCS conference team in our OOC games. That would probably be a neutral site or a home and home. We'd like to do a multi year contract with some team across the country.
Kyle (Westbrook)
How do you plan to pull top recruits from the likes of UT and A
Tommy Tuberville (2:07 PM)
There are a lot of players to go around, especially in the state of Texas. We've been successful recruting offensive players here because we throw it around. We've had success this past year getting speed on defense and we'll continue to do that.
JC (Denver)
You had a great winning record over top 10 teams while at Auburn. What was the secret to winning those tough games?
Tommy Tuberville (2:07 PM)
Trying to stay consistent on both offense and defense. Running the same thing each year so your players know what you're doing. And having a consistent coaching staff year to year.
Travis (Grapevine, TX)
How do you think the 3-4 defensive scheme will allow you to better attack the spread offenses of the Big 12?
Tommy Tuberville (2:08 PM)
It gives you one more player on the field that's a little faster that's not a true defensive lineman. He's a pass rusher and a pass defender.
John David Mull (Clayton, MO)
Do you think you will stick to the previous regime's system of having few plays in the playbook to cut down on mistakes, or do you plan to add to it?
Tommy Tuberville (2:09 PM)
I like simplicity. I think the more the players repeat plays in practice, they execute better in games. I like short gameplans. They're explosive and get the job done.
Bill (Manteca)
Coach, do you feel pressure when you hear peoples' expectations for the next season?
Tommy Tuberville (2:10 PM)
No. You go out and try to do the best that you can do. It's an understanding all over the country that you win. I guess that's the reason we're in coaching, we look forward to the pressure and scrutiny we're under day in, day out.
Rich (Dallas)
What differences have you noticed between the Big 12 and the SEC?
Tommy Tuberville (2:11 PM)
Over the years, I've noticed that the Big 12 has become more of an offensive conference. They've gotten very good at throwing the ball. But from top to bottom, not as good defensively, but the SEC hasn't been as good offensively. Differences, but both conferences have been able to get the job done.
John (Lewisville)
Coach, how much value do you put on the star rating system for recruiting?
Tommy Tuberville (2:12 PM)
We evaluate our own players. We look at how people evaluate other players, but our success has come from us going out and evaluating players. Some players fit some systems and not others. We look for character and attitude.
Tanner (Lubbock)
Coach, tech has been notorious for penalties, how can you improve on saving some of those yards
Tommy Tuberville (2:13 PM)
That starts in practice. In mental discipline in your offseason programs. For an opportunity to win championships and big games, those will have to be where you can overcome those mistakes. It's very hard for anybody at any level to overcome major penalties. We'll work on correcting those.
Ant (Plano)
With Whitlock as the only returning D-line starter who do you hope can step in and make an make an immediate impact on the d-line?
Tommy Tuberville (2:14 PM)
We went the junior college route with some of the positions on the DL. Some of those players will give us the chance of having more maturity, if not experience. We'll work at several junior college players on the defensive line to play along with Whitlock.
Brent (Houston)
I have heard there are renovations being done to the football complex and the practice fields will be re-done with field-turf, what else do you plan to do to help TT recruit the best talent possible?
Tommy Tuberville (2:15 PM)
Our AD at the present time, along with myself, are evaluating the facilities. We're looking at some kind of turf instead of grass. We're overhauling our weight room, in terms of updating the weights we need. Our stadium also is being rennovated with new suites on the east side.
Jason (Texas)
Has the coaching staff already started to "gel." How are those relationships between the coaches working out?
Tommy Tuberville (2:16 PM)
It's going great. We've had a lot of time to spend with each other in terms of recruiting, on airplanes, on the road, in cars. In the last month, we've spent 12-14 hours a day putting together playbooks. When you put together a staff, it needs to be like a second family and it's going really well.
Jack (Fort Worth)
Coach what is your point of view on a football player wanting to play another sport?
Tommy Tuberville (2:17 PM)
I'm all for it. I think it's great, especially for football players to run track. It not only helps the track team, but it helps the individual compete in the offseason.
Steve (Lubbock)
How are the players responding to the new coaching staff?
Tommy Tuberville (2:17 PM)
The players have been great. They're excited about some new things that we've added to the offseason. The players just like to play and win games. It's been great so far going through the offseason.
Jack (Fort Worth)
Do you have any opinion on the uniforms worn by Tech or do you plan on any changes?
Tommy Tuberville (2:18 PM)
I really like our uniforms. I think the uniforms we have from UnderArmor are some of the best in the country. The combinations that we have are a good identity for Texas Tech. We look to continue with that relationship with UnderArmor.
Tommy Tuberville (2:19 PM)
We're getting ready to start spring practice in a few weeks. We'd love for our fans to come out. We'll scrimmage most Saturdays. Our spring game is April 17 at 1. We urge our Red Raider fans to come to that and the baseball game right after.
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