Texas defensive backs Clay Jennings was one of three newly hired assistant coaches who participated in an introductory press conference on Monday. Here are the highlights of his media availability:
- One of the first questions Jennings received was about Eric Cuffee’s visit to Arkansas. Cuffee reportedly was recruiting for Texas during his official visit, which irritated Arkansas coaches. Here is what Jennings said when asked if he has spoken to Cuffee since being hired: “Eric and I have been playing phone tag, but I had a great chance to visit with his dad. We had a tremendous conversation. We’re excited about having the opportunity to bring that Waco connection down here and make some beautiful music together.”
- When asked if Cuffee’s visit did not go well, Jennings said, “Kids are going to be kids. I’ll admit, it was cold. It was cold. But, the kid had a great time when he was there, but I think home is where the heart is. I think with him being an hour-and-a-half away from home, he wanted to get up there. He wanted to stay close here. I thought coach Strong and the staff did a great job of recruiting him as well, too.”
- One of the things Jennings said he learned as an assistant under TCU's Gary Patterson is the quickest way to get guys to play early, and fast, is to make their routines consistent.
- Jennings transitioned from playing defensive line in college to coaching defensive backs because he was told learning every position would help him become a defensive coordinator in the future. He said, “The biggest thing we talk about, whatever you’re playing on defense, whether it be defensive line, linebackers, playing in the secondary, you got to be able to communicate. You got to be able to play with leverage, and you can’t get beat by a lineman. If we can tackle, strike with our hands, shed blocks, get the ball on the ground, we’re going to have the opportunity to do some great things. Within the secondary, you start talking about pass coverage, and pass defense. Between the secondary and defensive line, those guys got to be best friends. We’ve got to be able to play with confidence and challenge receivers. If we can give that defensive line that opportunity, that one more half second so they can get a hit on the ball, and maybe that ball flutters out, DBU can get a pick for the Horns. On the flip side, the quicker that pass rush gets in that quarterback’s face, those DBs play with a lot more confidence.”
- As most Longhorn fans know, the most talented defensive backs this season are going to be sophomores and incoming freshmen. Even though those players are young, Jennings is looking forward to working with his group: “You look in that room, and you got some guys who are long. You got some guys that can run. You got some guys that you can see between week one and week 12 how much confidence those kids began to play with. I tell you what, I thought the biggest compliment for those kids is they played for themselves. I got a chance to watch the Baylor game, the last game of the year. You talk about playing for pride. They weren’t playing for a bowl game. That was the bowl game for those kids, and they came and played lights out. If we can just build on week 12, going in 2016, we’re going to be a lot better.”
- Jennings admits there is a sense of urgency to win among the staff this offseason. He said the entire staff knows they have to get things going in the right direction, and quickly.
- However, Jennings said he accepted the job offer without any reservations: “I don’t think the man upstairs would put me in a situation for me to coach out of fear. I think you take a leap of faith, and you believe in the man who is going to be in charge of it. Everything else is going to take care of itself.”
- One advantage Texas has by switching to Sterlin Gilbert’s system is the defense faces a spread offense in practice every day, according to Jennings. He believes it will teach his guys how to play fast and communicate. He believes the more comfortable everyone becomes with the scheme, it will give his defensive players a chance to play better this year.
- Jennings does not believe he will have any issues recruiting for the Longhorns, but added, “I’m not big on letting the shirt do the work for me.” He believes it is important to develop strong relationship with high school coaches, players and parents. As of Monday, Jennings was unsure which area of Texas would be his responsibility.
- Texas receivers coach Charlie Williams is not the only person staying at a hotel. Jennings is temporarily staying in a hotel, too. He takes advantage of the free breakfast buffet with hard-boiled eggs and sausage every morning.
- Jennings said Arkansas coach Bret Bielema supported his decision to take this job at Texas. Bielema understood Jennings had an opportunity to move back to Texas, plus believed it would be a great career move for his former assistant coach. In addition, Jennings said Bielema did not intentionally flash the “horns down” sign during a picture with Texas coach Charlie Strong prior to a bowl game in 2014.
- One of the first questions Jennings received was about Eric Cuffee’s visit to Arkansas. Cuffee reportedly was recruiting for Texas during his official visit, which irritated Arkansas coaches. Here is what Jennings said when asked if he has spoken to Cuffee since being hired: “Eric and I have been playing phone tag, but I had a great chance to visit with his dad. We had a tremendous conversation. We’re excited about having the opportunity to bring that Waco connection down here and make some beautiful music together.”
- When asked if Cuffee’s visit did not go well, Jennings said, “Kids are going to be kids. I’ll admit, it was cold. It was cold. But, the kid had a great time when he was there, but I think home is where the heart is. I think with him being an hour-and-a-half away from home, he wanted to get up there. He wanted to stay close here. I thought coach Strong and the staff did a great job of recruiting him as well, too.”
- One of the things Jennings said he learned as an assistant under TCU's Gary Patterson is the quickest way to get guys to play early, and fast, is to make their routines consistent.
- Jennings transitioned from playing defensive line in college to coaching defensive backs because he was told learning every position would help him become a defensive coordinator in the future. He said, “The biggest thing we talk about, whatever you’re playing on defense, whether it be defensive line, linebackers, playing in the secondary, you got to be able to communicate. You got to be able to play with leverage, and you can’t get beat by a lineman. If we can tackle, strike with our hands, shed blocks, get the ball on the ground, we’re going to have the opportunity to do some great things. Within the secondary, you start talking about pass coverage, and pass defense. Between the secondary and defensive line, those guys got to be best friends. We’ve got to be able to play with confidence and challenge receivers. If we can give that defensive line that opportunity, that one more half second so they can get a hit on the ball, and maybe that ball flutters out, DBU can get a pick for the Horns. On the flip side, the quicker that pass rush gets in that quarterback’s face, those DBs play with a lot more confidence.”
- As most Longhorn fans know, the most talented defensive backs this season are going to be sophomores and incoming freshmen. Even though those players are young, Jennings is looking forward to working with his group: “You look in that room, and you got some guys who are long. You got some guys that can run. You got some guys that you can see between week one and week 12 how much confidence those kids began to play with. I tell you what, I thought the biggest compliment for those kids is they played for themselves. I got a chance to watch the Baylor game, the last game of the year. You talk about playing for pride. They weren’t playing for a bowl game. That was the bowl game for those kids, and they came and played lights out. If we can just build on week 12, going in 2016, we’re going to be a lot better.”
- Jennings admits there is a sense of urgency to win among the staff this offseason. He said the entire staff knows they have to get things going in the right direction, and quickly.
- However, Jennings said he accepted the job offer without any reservations: “I don’t think the man upstairs would put me in a situation for me to coach out of fear. I think you take a leap of faith, and you believe in the man who is going to be in charge of it. Everything else is going to take care of itself.”
- One advantage Texas has by switching to Sterlin Gilbert’s system is the defense faces a spread offense in practice every day, according to Jennings. He believes it will teach his guys how to play fast and communicate. He believes the more comfortable everyone becomes with the scheme, it will give his defensive players a chance to play better this year.
- Jennings does not believe he will have any issues recruiting for the Longhorns, but added, “I’m not big on letting the shirt do the work for me.” He believes it is important to develop strong relationship with high school coaches, players and parents. As of Monday, Jennings was unsure which area of Texas would be his responsibility.
- Texas receivers coach Charlie Williams is not the only person staying at a hotel. Jennings is temporarily staying in a hotel, too. He takes advantage of the free breakfast buffet with hard-boiled eggs and sausage every morning.
- Jennings said Arkansas coach Bret Bielema supported his decision to take this job at Texas. Bielema understood Jennings had an opportunity to move back to Texas, plus believed it would be a great career move for his former assistant coach. In addition, Jennings said Bielema did not intentionally flash the “horns down” sign during a picture with Texas coach Charlie Strong prior to a bowl game in 2014.
