Leach Praises First Day Work
August 05, 2000 | Football
Aug. 5, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - First-day jitters and miscues generally stayed away as the Texas Tech football team gathered in full force for the first time Saturday afternoon at the practice fields Southeast of Jones SBC Stadium.
Coach Mike Leach couldn't say enough good things about his first edition of Red Raiders following a 2? -hour workout on an overcast afternoon. An estimated 200 curious Texas Tech fans lined the two practice fields to get a sneak peek of what to expect when Tech and New Mexico meet Aug. 26 in the Hispanic College Fund Classic at Jones SBC Stadium.
"It was a really good first day, a good starting point," Leach said. "It was great to see our players excited about getting cranked up, and it was just as nice to see so many Red Raider fans here to check us out.
"We still have some polishing work on assignments to do, but the effort level is really good," Leach said. "To tell you the truth, I thought we would be a little more disjointed than we were."
Leach was also pleased with the conditioning of his first Tech team, noting that individual summer conditioning programs have paid dividends.
"We are in a lot better shape than we were in the spring," he said. "You can tell the guys who stayed here this summer. Their work has really paid off."
Texas Tech will continue workouts Sunday, and will hold single practices Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. After scheduled off day Thursday, two-a-days resume Friday. All Texas Tech practices are open to the public.