I attended the Dallas noon event along wit about 40-50 others for the road show. Here are the highlights that I remember. Shout out to rene_lesur, who was also in attendence. Add any additional comments as you attend the event in your town.
- Two more transfer portals coming, will be announced at start of spring quarter.
- Cool story – he was first approached about the Tech opening on Friday night (11/26) when he was in Temple for the Baylor game the next day. He took the call in his hotel room. After the call Mark Tommerdahl texted him asking for 10 minutes of his time. Sonny what thinking how did Mark know as he just got the call himself. Mark came to Sonny’s hotel room and told him that he had heard that Sonny was in the mix for our Tech job and told him that the time he and his family spent in Ruston were the best times of his coaching career.
- Sonny met with Guice, Wood, Brooks Hull and Steve Davison in Dallas and after about 3-4 hours of detail discussions, Sonny asked for a timeout and when he returned from the restroom, the Tech group offered him the job. Sonny wanted the gig but needed to talk with wife that night. Due to commitments, Sonny wasn’t able to discuss with wife until about 9:30pm. Wood was freaking out waiting for Sonny to call him.
- Like other head coach hires, he took the job without going to Ruston. He was sold on Tech and Ruston by multiple people.
- He reached out to Bradshaw and left a message and before Bradshaw called him back, Kit Brooks called Sonny and congratulated him. When Bradshaw called Sonny, Bradshaw was pulling his chain that Sonny talked to some musician before a quarterback.
- Will sign 17-18 high school recruits a year.
- HCSC wanted Scott Power as the defensive coordinator because of reviewing all his 2020 tape before SFA played Texas Tech last year. Scott has been a winner everywhere he has coached.
- TCU coach Patterson liked to hire new coaches that he felt the TCU position was the best coaching job the coach has had. It seems Sonny has employed that thought in many of his hires.
- Patterson also liked to step back and observe when coaches, players and recruits were interacting. We need to watch Sonny to see if he employs that approach.
- Sonny is a warm genuine person. Nothing fake or flashy about him. It's from his gut and heart.
- Brooks Hull was there as Guice could not attend. They were heading to Houston for a gathering tonight.
- Wood also spoke and talked about the need for operating money. Told a couple of us after the event that our football TV screen died before the end of the football season and it was only saved by using the board from the TAC video board. I think he said that the screen is 13 years old and past its time.
- Ricky Shirley who was in attendance. Dressed like he came off the ranch (where is was heading after the lunch). While Rick doen't post here clearly is still in contact with the AD.
- Side bar note, not from official source. Student fee vote this spring.
- Sonny’s mom and dad were there. Good folks and live in Gunter TX, about 50 miles north of Dallas. They told me the coach and his wife are building a home at Squire Creek.
