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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 1982)
Battalion/Page 11 August 4, 1982 sports SWC luncheon Football coaches trade jokes, discuss season \ by Frank L. Christlieb ■ Sports Editor | LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — botball coaching might be heir forte, but it’s obvious hat several Southwest Con ference mentors can toss out okes with the same skills one ight see in a pinpoint passer. Much like a strong-armed uarterback who’s always on he mark with his throws, the WC coaches brought forth n assortment of jokes, as well s their assessments of the up- oming season, during their nnual conference kickoff ht Buncheon Friday in Arkansas. I As the coaches and out- tjte loing league commissioner IIP JSiiff Speegle took turns Hf Hpeaking to an audience of r /If no point struck home ^■^“vith greater precision than hat made about the balance nd competitiveness of this /ear’s conference. Speaking individually, in jrder of last year’s finish in he SWC race, the coaches :hrew jabs at their counter parts, but each presentation :ontained serious tones as well. Although Texas Tech finished without a conference dctory in 1981, Red Raider lefensive coordinator Dean Slaton jokingly emphasized hat the coaches and players ire attempting to avoid think ing about that 0-7-1 SWC re- :ord. “It was a strange season — I have to admit that,” Slaton said. “I know all these (coaches) up here are really glad that they all got their little piece of us last year — or big piece or whatever. “Hopefully, the 1982 sea- will be a little different, e know this — any change will be an improvement, and Lou Holtz we’re looking for several changes.” Some of the coaches, however, started their state ments with jokes aimed at the host state of Arkansas and its favorite football figure, Razorback coach Lou Holtz. The Arkansas head coach has led his teams to 45 victories in five seasons at the school. “It is great to be in Arkansas — in July,” TCU coach F.A. Dry began. Pause. “No, really,” Dry continued after the laughing had sub sided. “You’re such great hosts — you’re probably the greatest people in the world, no matter what Lou says.” Dry’s sense of humor per vaded his speech, but the au dience didn’t mind. “I have to admit,” Dry said, speaking in what suddenly be came a serious tone, “we were very fortunate last year, be cause we did play an ineligible player against the University of Arkansas (TCU won the game 28-24). I’ve never con fessed that, but I think it’s Jackie Sherrill time. “During the game, we blitzed and an Arkansas back came right by my nose and no body was covering him. I ran down and grabbed Mark Hat ley, the defensive backfield coach and I said, ‘Who’s cov ering him?’ and he said, ‘God, Coach.’ “I saw some lightning off in the east, and I said two things to Hatley. One is, ‘Don’t sub stitute,’ and ‘Don’t leave him in single coverage again.’” Dry’s confession of the in eligible player didn’t bring a quick NCAA probation, but the cracks of the next speaker — Rice coach Ray Alborn — sent the luncheon crowd into hysterical fits of laughter. However, jokes aside, Alborn said his team should have more experience and talent than in recent years. “I think we’re going to be a much better football team than these sportswriters give us credit for being,” Alborn said emphatically in a not-so- serious voice. “I think you people are in for a rare treat. I don’t know where we’re going to finish, but as I said last year, we’ve bought all our uniforms and we’ve made all our trip arrangements — and we’re looking forward to the season.” Texas A&M’s Jackie Sher rill, who enters the conference along with new SMU coach Bobby Collins, said he’s en thusiastic about the season, but also threw in a poke at the always open-minded Holtz. “Everybody’s been writing about (my) contract and they have been for the last six months,” Sherrill siaid. “This is a true story, but when I started talking to the people from A&M I said: ‘Listen. All I want is half of what Lou Holtz makes. I’m not in terested in making what Lou Holtz makes; I only want to make half of it. “Instead of three cars, I’ll settle for one,” he added, trying his best not to sound choosy. “Instead of having two country club member ships, I’ll settle for one.” Then Sherrill finished by saying: “And I think I have. I don’t even need stock in cable TV.” Certainly the coaches won’t be joking when the 11-game regular season starts Sept. 4. During that opening weekend, Baylor faces North Texas State at home and Texas A&M starts with Bos ton College in Kyle Field. And although these jabs may have gained the coaches some temporary satisfaction, rest assured that their ulti mate satisfaction will only be attained by defeating those men who were the focus of their jokes at the yearly kick off luncheon. SWC (continued from page 10) this year than in quite some time. If one of them manages to work its way through the league schedule without a loss, that team should be a contender for the national championship. “Any team will have trouble going through unbeaten,” said Texas Tech coach Jerry Moore, whose debut season with the Red Raiders ended with a dis appointing 1-9-1 record. “There are plenty of teams that are well- stocked.” Among the most well-stocked should be SMU. Tailbacks Eric Dickerson and Craig James, the keystones of a 1979 recruiting crop that turned the Mustangs’ fortunes around, were seldom on the field at the same time last year. But alternating at the tail back spot, they combined for 2,575 rushing yards. Those two players were somewhat overlooked nationally in 1981 because the Mustangs were on probation, could not be on television and were not able to represent the SWC in the Cot ton Bowl Jan. 1. But the sanc tioned part of the probation is over and Dickerson and James should get their share of public ity this year. And fast-developing quarter back Lance Mcllhenny will be back to direct the option attack. Seven members of the SMU de fense will return as well and that unit allowed fewer points than any other team in the league last year. The biggest change will be at the top. Ron Meyer, the flam boyant coach who made good on his promises at SMU, left to take the head coaching job with the New England Patriots and in his place will be the quiet, gentle manly Bobby Collins — who came to the Mustangs from Southern Mississippi. “This league scares me,” Col lins said. “From what I can tell, anybody in this conference can beat anybody else. “Ron Meyer and his staff built up a very good SMU prog ram. We intend to keep that program at the top every year. There is pressure, regardless of the type of program that has been built. Personally I would rather have the pressure that There seem to be more strong teams in the SWC this year than in quite some time. If one of them manages to work its way through the league schedule without a loss, that team should be a contender for the national cham pionship. goes with a good team than pressure to win with a team that doesn’t have any good players.” But when it comes to changes, the ones at SMU seem like mild tremors compared to the earthquakes that have taken place at Texas A&M University. Jackie Sherrill was lured away from Pittsburgh to Aggieland with a large salary that caused comment nationwide, and be cause of the furor, his team will come under close scrutiny. Texas A&M went 7-5 last sea son with a 33-16 victory over Oklahoma State in the Inde pendence Bowl and 17 of that team’s 22 starters are back. Among them is quarterback Gary Kubiak. “In my mind,” Sherrill said, “Gary is one of the best in the nation. One of my most pressing concerns when I first arrived was finding the kind of quarter back who could run our pro-set offense. I soon found out how fortunate we are at Texas A&M.” Then there’s Arkansas (8-4 last year with a four-point loss to North Carolina in the Gator Bowl). Here is another team with lots of starters back, includ ing its quarterback — Tom Jones. “It’s difficult for me not to be optimistic as we approach the 1982 football season,” Razor- backs’ coach Lou Holtz said. “We have several all-star candi dates and one of the best senior classes I’ve ever been around.” At Houston the always offen sive-minded Cougars have their quarterback (Lionel Wilson) back as well. Houston always seems to be the mystery team in the SWC, but this year there’s not much mystery. The Cougars ought to be able to move the ball. Ken’s Automotive 421 S. Main — Bryan 822-2823 “A Complete Automotive Service Center" • Tune-Ups • Brakes • Clutches • McPherson Struts • Front End Parts Replacement • Air Conditioning Service All American Cars Datsun-Honda Toyota (Master Card & VISA Accepted) round Aggie Athletics rpnse throui it Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Jackie Sherrill 0* f'N conclude his speaking en- A lagements with more than 30 0 ^ggie Clubs this summer by k meeting with the groups in Fort IVorth, Dallas and Houston this Week. Last week, Sherrill spoke I at the Southwest Conference kickoff luncheon in Little Rock, LjMtk., to the National Conven- ir mon of the Football Writers ssociation, as well to an NCAA knd ABC kickoff luncheon at ing’s Island, Ohio. Later in the week, Sherrill vi sited with Aggie Club members Austin, Lafayette, La., New Orleans and Tulsa, Okla. Aggie freshman football players will arrive on campus Aug. 9 to begin preparations for the upcoming season. Twenty- eight freshmen are expected at the Texas A&M camp, along with several walk-ons. The Aggie varsity will report Aug. 13. ? Texas A&M’s first annual Photo Day will be held Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. in Kyle Field. All Aggie fans are invited to bring their cameras for a special session that will be spent with the team and ‘coaches following the photo ses sion with media members. Sher- rough ) |4' ! 19“ 15“ her 3 rill will also be on hand for pic tures and autographing ses sions. He will sign honorary assistant coaches’ cards for chil dren at the event. William H. “Dog” Dawson, a former Texas A&M assistant athletic director and assistant football coach, died at his home in Richmond Monday. Dawson lettered on the Aggies’ 1939 na tional championship team as an end, concluding his playing career in 1940. At 6-5, 225 pounds, Dawson was one of the Aggie basketball team’s leading scorers. Dawson joined the Texas A&M football staff in 1946 and left the University in 1951 to pursue a career in the insurance business in Richmond. Season and individual foot ball tickets went on sale at G. Rollie White Coliseum’s Win dow 7 Monday. Sales will con tinue for the seven home foot ball games this season. The cost for a season ticket is $77 while individual tickets are $ 11 apiece. For further information, wirte the Texas A&M Ticket Office, G. Rollie White Coliseum, Col lege Station, 77843-1228. Please include $1 for handling and a note specifying the number of tickets desired. The Fifth Annual Texas A&M Open Tennis Tourna ment will be held here Aug. 5-8 at the varsity courts. Included among the men’s top seeds for the tourney are Rick Crowden of Lafayette, La., and Max King of Houston. Top seeds in the women’s championship division are Barbara Smith of Angleton and Ellen Considine of Houston. C’mi i* tea The Best Pizza In Town! Honest. 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