Third base coach Will Fox is growing comfortable in new on-field role

Since Michael Earley took the reins in Aggieland, Will Fox moved into an on-field role and will coach third base for the Ags this spring. As Texas A&M prepares to open the season vs. Elon on Friday, Fox spoke about his new role, working with the Aggie infielders and more.

Key notes from Will Fox interview

• It's something new for me. Playing baseball growing up and through the collegiate level sets the tone for my feel of the game. Now, in the third base box, it's the same thing as a coach. In my first ball game as the third base coach, I had nerves going in, but it helped tremendously because then the next time, I just got up there.
   
• We don't have the fastest roster in the country, but we have a lot of guys that can run the ball out of the yard. The game flow tells you what you want to do. I hope I have more run-by high-fives and some easier sends.
   
• The infielders just get to work every day. It was pretty high-intensity with Kaeden Kent, but that's just how he is. They just needed to slow down and take it in sometimes, and they've taken it in. With the routine play with timing and pace, there's no hurry. So seeing each of them come into that is pretty cool.
   
• There's always something new. For us, there's no cookie-cutter way that I say, "You're gonna do this.” It's kind of like hitting. There's no one way to do it. There's not one way to do it. There's not one stance. Gavin Grahovac moves completely differently than Kent. There's a lot of freedom when you play infield.
   
• Wyatt Henseler has been really, really good. His transition to second happened fast. The hardest part is just the different angle of the bat. Once he got down the angles of the bat, he took off. He turned a really good double play in that hype video they put out.
   
• Blake Binderup and Matt Bergevin have both done an unbelievable job at first base. That makes it really hard as a coach. You got two guys battling it out, and they’re nose and nose. They compete every day, but they also help each other. They are friends and teammates, but it has been fun to watch.
   
• Sawyer Farr is electric. He will be here for a long time and has a chance to play baseball for a long time. The same can be said about Terrence Kiel II. This kid plays outfield all the time, but he's working at second base every day. He has gotten so much better from the first day he stepped out there. They both have really slow heartbeats. In the fall game, you can see even transfers that get older speed up a little. But Farr and Kiel are just calm.
   
• Jamal George can impact the defense everywhere. He will play second. He will play third, outfield, shortstop. He will catch. He can really do it all. He could probably pitch. He's awesome. Everybody loves him. He's loud and energetic.
   
• When Troy Claunch got here as a player, you could see he was going to be a coach. He was older already. The way he caught and the way he ran the pitching staff, this guy is going to be electric one day.
   
• Michael Earley, from day one, has been really good. He has had the tone and the attention of all the players, coaches and staff members. He has probably gotten better in some areas I can't break down, but he has been unbelievable since day one for me.
   
• This train’s not rolling without Jack Mahala, Jace Hutchins and Jeremy McMillan. Mahala does the day-to-day, behind-the-scenes scouting reports offensively and pitching-wise. He has big league clubs trying to get him daily. Hutchins is electric in the bullpens and pitching ideas. McMillan is probably the most important hire since Earley got the job. Guys love him. He's with them more than we are. He has set the tone and created the culture in the weight room that "it's go time."