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Texas Tech Wednesday Morning Notes - Get The Heat Edition

By Seth C

Double-T Nation News:

I'm still running a little late in terms of posting content on DTN. I'm going to have an open game day thread tonight for the game against Missouri (tip-off at 7:00 p.m.), but don't expect the normal preview. I've just run out of time. I should be back on a regular schedule by Saturday.

Texas Tech Football:

Hat-tip to djollie111, Ruffin McNeill has been officially named as defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. I'm trying to figure out why this announcement was made at 9:30 in the evening rather than making an announcement first thing in the morning with McNeill there to make a comment or two.

Anyway, here's what Coach Leach had to say about McNeill:

"He did just a tremendous job all season, and then we improved in every defensive category the eight weeks he was in charge,'' Leach said. "He's a great example and counselor to the players as well as putting things together on the run. I think he's the best defensive coordinator in the country, so we're very proud to have him in that capacity.''

Snip

Leach said he had planned to elevate McNeill since the end of the season.

"With having one of the youngest teams in college football and the strides we took together that he spearheaded, I don't think anybody else out there can duplicate that,'' Leach said. "Once we drew that conclusion, it was pretty much a no-brainer.''

Interesting. I'd love to see the direct quote, if there is one, where Leach said that he planned to promote McNeill since the end of the season. If this was the case and if the only criteria was what was listed above (I'm sure it's not, but it's all we have to go on), then why wait over 20 days to name a coordinator? If they knew, wouldn't it make a greater impact on recruits if they're talking to the defensive coordinator rather than the interim? I know that this isn't an original thought, but we now have confirmation that Leach intended to promote McNeill since the end of the season. I don't understand why there was such a wait if it was a "no-brainer".

The last quote, I thought was a pretty bold statement, and perhaps it's true, but it's a bold statement.

LAJ's Don Williams notes that Daniel Calvin, a defensive tackle from Bakersfield (CA) College, and 4 other Lubbock players will take their official visit today. Williams notes that Texas Tech has 3 scholarships available and Calvin is the only player expected to be offered a scholarship, while the other 4 player could be offered preferred walk-on.

Texas Tech Basketball:

LAJ's Jeff Walker previews tonight's game with Missouri and also writes that the Red Raiders are gearing up for the 40 minutes of hell from the Tigers. At the end of the article, head coach designate Knight had this to say about Zeno's recent play:

"I think he's done really darn good in his last two games," Knight said. "He's had some games like that early on, but it's been sporadic. You've got to have your best player be the guy you can rely on. We should never have to worry going into a game about Zeno ... but it hasn't worked that way."

FWST's Dwain Price features Martin Zeno's recent play and head coach designate explains why he's been so publicly critical of Zeno:

"You have to be critical of your best players," Pat Knight said. "Believe me, we wouldn't do it if the kid couldn't take it or wasn't a tough kid.

"That's part of being in our program. If you're the best player and the captain... you're going to get all the glory when things are going good, and you're going to get the heat when things aren't going good."

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