Transcript of Chris Thomsen's Meeting with Local Media
By: Texas Tech Athletics
Updated: December 10, 2012
Opening Statement
Everybody welcome today, Im looking forward to the opportunity to lead our team into the bowl game. I know our kids are excited about the opportunity to play another game and to get the opportunity to compete. Were excited, weve got a group of coaches and players, a great group of senior leaders that we are excited about and they are looking forward to finishing the season the right way.
On his message to the team today
Actually Ive not had a chance to talk to the team, we have our first team meeting on Wednesday,
those guys are finishing finals up and we didnt want to disrupt that process up for them. So Ill visit with
them on Wednesday and take it from there.
On if he will call plays in the bowl game
No I will not call plays. Our offensive staff, Neal Brown obviously wont be with us, but our offensive staff pretty much remains intact and we will make a few adjustments there, and Ill ask Sonny Cumbie to call the plays in the bowl game.
On whom Texas Tech will have available as defensive coaches for the bowl game
As of right now all of our defensive staff is committed to coaching in the bowl game.
On what he will do to block out distractions and have Tech focused on the bowl game
I think once the guys have finished finals and getting them back in here and getting them back in the practice routine, weve got an outstanding group of seniors theyve been focused all year, and Ive only been hear one year but Ive been very impressed with those guys. But in terms with practice just keep the routine the same with those guys and lean on those guys to come out and provide great leadership and to play inspired, and we are excited about that group, thats the thing Im most excited about with this opportunity is to coach that group of seniors, coach this group of players and join with this group of coaches and win this bowl game.
On how he got the word he was chosen as interim head coach
Kirby Hocutt called me late this morning and asked if I would do it and I said I would be glad to it just because of this group of coaches and group of players, and Im really excited about partnering with those guys for a common cause and get a win at the bowl game.
Everybody welcome today, Im looking forward to the opportunity to lead our team into the bowl game. I know our kids are excited about the opportunity to play another game and to get the opportunity to compete. Were excited, weve got a group of coaches and players, a great group of senior leaders that we are excited about and they are looking forward to finishing the season the right way.
On his message to the team today
Actually Ive not had a chance to talk to the team, we have our first team meeting on Wednesday,
those guys are finishing finals up and we didnt want to disrupt that process up for them. So Ill visit with
them on Wednesday and take it from there.
On if he will call plays in the bowl game
No I will not call plays. Our offensive staff, Neal Brown obviously wont be with us, but our offensive staff pretty much remains intact and we will make a few adjustments there, and Ill ask Sonny Cumbie to call the plays in the bowl game.
On whom Texas Tech will have available as defensive coaches for the bowl game
As of right now all of our defensive staff is committed to coaching in the bowl game.
On what he will do to block out distractions and have Tech focused on the bowl game
I think once the guys have finished finals and getting them back in here and getting them back in the practice routine, weve got an outstanding group of seniors theyve been focused all year, and Ive only been hear one year but Ive been very impressed with those guys. But in terms with practice just keep the routine the same with those guys and lean on those guys to come out and provide great leadership and to play inspired, and we are excited about that group, thats the thing Im most excited about with this opportunity is to coach that group of seniors, coach this group of players and join with this group of coaches and win this bowl game.
On how he got the word he was chosen as interim head coach
Kirby Hocutt called me late this morning and asked if I would do it and I said I would be glad to it just because of this group of coaches and group of players, and Im really excited about partnering with those guys for a common cause and get a win at the bowl game.
