Spring Football Opens Tuesday
March 20, 2000 | Football
March 20, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Spring football practice gets underway at Texas Tech Tuesday, marking the official on-field beginning of the Mike Leach era. Leach replaces long-time Red Raider coach Spike Dykes, who retired following the 1999 season.
"Finally, we get to go between the lines and play some football," Leach said. "In a sense it seems like just yesterday that we got here, but in another it seems like an eternity while we've been recruiting, getting settled and putting together our staff."
The Red Raiders will practice through the annual Red-Black Game on April 15. Workouts are scheduled, weather permitting, on each Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through the spring game. Weekday practices are set to get underway at 4 p.m. and are open to the public. Workouts will vary between the grass practice fields and Jones Stadium.
"We have 15 days, and I wish we had twice that long, because we have a lot to get accomplished," Leach said. "We are putting in a new offense, defense and special teams plan. With that in mind, one of the top priorities Tuesday might be just teaching the drills."
Tailback and Heisman candidate Ricky Williams, who missed virtually the entire 1999 season due to reconstructive surgery to his left knee, is expected to participate in about 80% of spring drills. Williams gained 1,582 rushing yards in 1998 and is expected to be full speed for the 2000 season.
Highlighting a defense looking at new faces at all three linebacker and both cornerback spots, is free safety and All-America candidate Kevin Curtis, who led Tech and the Big 12 Conference with 153 tackles last season.
The Red Raiders open the 2000 season at home Sept. 2 against Utah State and will play five of the first six games at Jones Stadium. Tech begins conference play Sept. 30 at Texas A&M.