Texas State's Jake Spavital excited to make head coaching debut at Kyle Field

Editor’s note: We understand coach’s phone quality was not the best as he called in from the practice field. Please enjoy the transcript as well.

Key notes from Jake Spavital interview

• It’s been a pretty interesting journey since I got the job a few months ago. You’re trying to figure out the lay of the land and how this university operates. Then, you’re trying to understand where we are as a team. In spring ball and fall camp, you’re trying to figure out the culture and everything else. It’s been a pretty good ride. Now, we’re trying to watch opponent’s defenses and get ready for the game. We spent the summer at Texas State trying to figure out who we are as a team and how we can best put our team in a position for success now and in the future. I’m excited for my first season as head coach.
   
• My first impression about my team was that we have a very experienced group of kids and I was excited about that. They’ve played a lot of football. These players have been through quite a few different coaches and coordinators, and we understand these guys have been through a lot. We know some of these older guys want to do some big things during their senior years, but we’re also preaching to the young kids about the culture we want to create. What we want to do this season is to establish a foundation and culture the right way. We want to see results transfer onto the field.
   
• I’m feeling good about the experience on defense and special teams. We have 12 tacklers returning and have eight senior linebackers. I got here and only had eight offensive lineman on scholarship but eight senior linebackers. That’s unusual. We’ve been trying to build around the experience and protect the future.
   
• I like what I see in our coaching staff. My brother, Zac Spavital, is in his first season at defensive coordinator, and he’s doing a great job at implementing his defense. It was just timing. We were looking around at possible candidates, and then we found out Bob Stitt was available. I’ve always admired his work. Bob Stitt at offensive coordinator will play a big part for us, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board. I’ve always admired him, dating back to his time as head coach at Colorado School of Mines. Hopefully, he can bring what he was doing there over to us, here at Texas State.
   
• It was a close quarterback battle through fall camp. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Vitt won the starting title because of his strong leadership ability. He has a ton of respect in the locker room and is a tough guy who’s not afraid to take big hits. He’s a guy who can use his feet to run as well. He has never been in an air raid system before, but I love his competitive drive, and that’s why we went with Tyler Vitt.
   
• I’m fired up to return to Kyle Field as a head coach; it’s going to be a surreal moment. It is such a special place to play college football, and I have great memories in that stadium. We’ve talked to our kids about how they’re probably going to play in college football’s best stadium on Thursday. We can’t even prepare them for how loud Kyle Field is going to be, but we know it will be loud. Communication will be at a premium. It’s going to be an excellent opportunity for our university to get that exposure playing on such a big stage.
   
• Jimbo Fisher does a great job in my mind. He’s one of the best. He’s definitely implemented that toughness and discipline in his program, that’s why he’s at a program like Texas A&M. Fisher has the respect of all his players.
   
• The players at Texas A&M are fantastic. I remember recruiting guys like Kellen Mond and Jhamon Ausbon when they were in high school. It’s fun seeing them grow up, now that those kids are juniors and seniors. It’s been exciting to watch their career paths at Texas A&M.