Kevin Sumlin
Mark Hagen
Donnie Baggs
Texas A&M Football
“That was a learning process. He was a little tentative, not because of want-to, but I think he’s still in that thinking stage. We want to give him as much as we can through spring, so on his own and through the summer, he can continue to improve and get some more reps in the 7-on-7’s and stuff that the players organize in the summer.”
“Donnie Baggs is a guy that has done a really, really good job this year. I’ll tell you what’s hard — I have respect for this because I had to do it; not very well, but I did it — when you, as a young player, you come out on the field in a situation and there’s another guy that gets you lined up, all you've got to do is know what you’re supposed to do and you just play football. We’ve surrounded Donnie with a bunch of guys who have never been here before. You got Tommy out there. You got Brett Wade. There’s times out there where you have people that just got here in January.
“Now, Donnie has to know what he does, but he’s got to get everybody lined up too. We’ve got a whole new front out there for him. We’ve got three out of our front seven who aren’t practicing, so he’s getting the whole front seven lined up, and then he’s having to play. To start the spring, he was a little sluggish, but he was getting everybody lined up. You have to be comfortable with that. I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is a big deal when you have to think for everybody else and you, instead of just think about what you’re doing.
“He’s handled that part good, the getting lined up, and then, ‘Oh yeah! I've got to do my job now.’ Now, that just comes with it. He’s gotten better with that. I think you saw him make a bunch of plays Friday night because of it.”
“It’s a difficult position to play. You’ve got to be able to do a lot of things and make decisions on the run, particularly in the type of offense that we’re playing. We’re going to see this fall with no huddle where, sometimes, there is not going to be a call. You can’t get a call into him quick enough and he’s got to be able to think like a coach and then play football. We’ve got coaches that think like coaches, but we don’t play. It’s been a good experience for all of those guys and a good growth exercise for Donnie.”
“It’s been kind of a tradition for the last two, three, four years. We brought him in live. I think Justin Moore did a good job of coming up with the whole truck idea on the sideline. It kind of grew. At first, we were just going to have a live DJ. Then, we got the truck involved. Then, somehow there were lights inside. Then, we got some tarps and we got all kinds of stuff going on.
“I didn’t know what it was going to look like by the time that happened, but I think our staff did a good job. Justin Moore is always looking for things that can help us in recruiting and being creative. I certainly think the response to that was, by our players and prospects and students, I think everybody enjoyed it. I don’t think that’s going to be the last time, based on the response.”
“That’s what we’re trying to accomplish and getting a bunch of these guys the type of experience we can evaluate from that setting, and that was what we wanted out of Friday Night Lights, and I think we got that.”
“I think, just like you said, it’s a way to showcase not only our football team, but our university at a time where there’s not a whole lot going on, as far as football goes. Anytime you can create excitement with your own fan base, create excitement in recruiting, and get yourself that type of exposure, really, for nothing, it’s a big deal for us.”
“Like you said, we’ve got a lot of young guys, some new faces. Tommy Sanders has come in and been up and down. We’ve thrown a lot at him. We’ve asked him to fill two positions, and he’s got a lot of talent. The two high school kids, not high school anymore, but Brett Wade and Reggie Chevis, have learned a lot. They’ve still got a long ways to go, but they’re getting better.
“We’ve added Nate Askew, he adds an element for us, a speed and athletic element, that we don’t have a lot of. I think Shaun Ward has improved. Some familiar faces, a lot of new faces. It starts with Donnie, I think he has done a real good job. We just have to finish strong in these next two practices.”
“Like you said, there’s very few programs that you would leave home for ... but this is one of them. This is a no brainer, football is obviously number one in the state of Texas, so getting away from a state where maybe the roundball is number one, it’s nice to be at a place where football is number one. It’s (A&M) a great academic institution, easy to recruit to, and a great fanbase. So, a lot of checks in the plus column.”
“Just learning one position is tough in and of itself, that’s where I think Donnie has come in. Donnie’s done a good job of helping Tommy learn both the Sam and the Mike linebacker positions. That will be invaluable for us as we go into the fall because Donnie knows the Mike and the Will. Then you throw Jenkins into the mix and we’re going to be very multiple in the faces we can have out there. I think you’ll continue to see Nate Askew develop and we got to keep bringing those young guys along.”
“The challenges are new every day. Sometimes, you think you’re gaining on it and then little issues might pop up. They’re all working hard, which is the first thing I come out and look for, effort. We’ll continue to tighten up, continue to get better as a group. But like you said, anytime there are new faces, there’s an inordinate amount of challenges, new ones everyday and that’s where I lean on the older guys. The Donnie Baggs, the Steven Jenkins, those guys help a lot. Those guys are like extra coaches on the field, and then obviously you throw in Mark Snyder. Mark’s a walk around coordinator but he gets very involved with the linebackers during individual (practice).
“We can take a specific position, maybe the Sam linebacker, and they can spend five or ten minutes with Mark working on specific technique. I’m pulling and grabbing from everybody. Whether it’s the young coaches, the older players, Coach Snyder, the other guys on the staff, I’ve used all of those resources.”
“I think when he gets some more reps and the game starts to slow down for him, he’ll be just fine. It’s important to him. Going into your senior year you want to make that your best year. I know maybe it hasn’t worked out for him at the Wide Receiver position. I want to help maximize his senior year, and I think he’s going to help us a lot.”
“But the people here have made it an easy transition. It seems like a great place and I know my daughters are fired up about the spring game this weekend, but also the home opener down the road.”
“I think it will make me a lot better, because I like the pressure. I like being put in that situation where it’s like, ‘Hey, you gotta be the guy’. So that’s what I plan to do, just step up and be that guy.”
Spring Day 11: Sumlin, Hagen, Baggs talk linebackers
Kevin Sumlin
On how impressed he has been with Floyd Raven’s transition…
“Floyd is a talented guy and want-to has never been an issue for him. He’s got good size, good range, but he can be overly aggressive. He hasn’t played a lot of football in his life. I don’t think he started playing organized until he was in high school, maybe late into high school. It’s been a learning process for him. I think he’s more comfortable at safety. Spring has been, if you look at a lot of different players, for him it’s been a big spring making that transition and I think he’s come along just fine.”On Nate Askew’s transition to linebacker…
“Nate, he’s working at it. There’s a big difference between wide receiver and linebacker. He’s athletic, he’s 230 and he’s getting it. I think Friday night, for him, was a little more difficult, because he had always been, for a couple weeks, the boundary and either rushing or dropping in that short space. We did a little bit more with him Friday night and there’s a big difference between being in the boundary and when you have all of this field out here. There’s two or three receivers, instead of one guy and maybe a back.“That was a learning process. He was a little tentative, not because of want-to, but I think he’s still in that thinking stage. We want to give him as much as we can through spring, so on his own and through the summer, he can continue to improve and get some more reps in the 7-on-7’s and stuff that the players organize in the summer.”
On what kind of skills Donnie Baggs has…
“Now, Donnie has to know what he does, but he’s got to get everybody lined up too. We’ve got a whole new front out there for him. We’ve got three out of our front seven who aren’t practicing, so he’s getting the whole front seven lined up, and then he’s having to play. To start the spring, he was a little sluggish, but he was getting everybody lined up. You have to be comfortable with that. I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is a big deal when you have to think for everybody else and you, instead of just think about what you’re doing.
“He’s handled that part good, the getting lined up, and then, ‘Oh yeah! I've got to do my job now.’ Now, that just comes with it. He’s gotten better with that. I think you saw him make a bunch of plays Friday night because of it.”
On whether some of the linebackers are surprised that he can empathize with them from having played the position before…
“I probably talk more to our coaches than they care too, just because there’s a couple of positions on the field that I pick on. You’ve either coached those positions or you’ve played those positions and you’re looking for certain things. There’s a certain responsibility you kind of feel for the standard of play. Then also, like you said, you have some compassion for the little things that go on and the growth pattern of those guys.“It’s a difficult position to play. You’ve got to be able to do a lot of things and make decisions on the run, particularly in the type of offense that we’re playing. We’re going to see this fall with no huddle where, sometimes, there is not going to be a call. You can’t get a call into him quick enough and he’s got to be able to think like a coach and then play football. We’ve got coaches that think like coaches, but we don’t play. It’s been a good experience for all of those guys and a good growth exercise for Donnie.”
On where he got the idea to have a live DJ at Friday Night Lights…
“We’ve kicked it around for a couple of years, actually. We kicked it around at Houston. We were actually looking at a place on the scoreboard where a guy could actually get up there and shoot some lights on him up there. We thought about it and we’ve got a relationship with, I guess I can professionally say, with DJ Double R. He actually makes a lot of music for us for Friday when we go in the stadium and he kind of changes it up for us during the year.“It’s been kind of a tradition for the last two, three, four years. We brought him in live. I think Justin Moore did a good job of coming up with the whole truck idea on the sideline. It kind of grew. At first, we were just going to have a live DJ. Then, we got the truck involved. Then, somehow there were lights inside. Then, we got some tarps and we got all kinds of stuff going on.
“I didn’t know what it was going to look like by the time that happened, but I think our staff did a good job. Justin Moore is always looking for things that can help us in recruiting and being creative. I certainly think the response to that was, by our players and prospects and students, I think everybody enjoyed it. I don’t think that’s going to be the last time, based on the response.”
On whether he saw what he wanted to see on Friday night…
“Oh yeah. We had 100-something plays, a lot of red zone work, a lot of different things, a lot of different combinations, a lot of energy. We got plenty done. We’ve had those types of situations. Both of those scrimmages that we’ve had have been over 100 plays, so you’re looking at, between the 1’s and 2’s, you’re getting fifty or sixty plays per group. You’re getting close to a game.“That’s what we’re trying to accomplish and getting a bunch of these guys the type of experience we can evaluate from that setting, and that was what we wanted out of Friday Night Lights, and I think we got that.”
On the positives and negatives of the spring game being on national television…
“Well, the positive is I don’t think it’s ever happened here, has it? I think as your program moves on and you try to establish yourself nationally, I think it’s a big deal that we’ll have that kind of coverage from ESPN nationally, and to have the guys from ESPN here to do it live is a compliment to these guys, to the players.“I think, just like you said, it’s a way to showcase not only our football team, but our university at a time where there’s not a whole lot going on, as far as football goes. Anytime you can create excitement with your own fan base, create excitement in recruiting, and get yourself that type of exposure, really, for nothing, it’s a big deal for us.”
Mark Hagen
On what he’s seen from the linebacker corps…
“Well I think you start with Donnie Baggs. Obviously, Steven Jenkins is our leader but he’s been out with an injury. I think from day one, Donnie has done a great job of stepping up. He knows all of the positions and we’ve got a lot of new guys, I think he’s allowed us to function, to line up, and to help direct those young guys. I think Donnie’s taken a step in the last week not only has he lined us up, but he’s become more productive for us. He’s doing a really good job.“Like you said, we’ve got a lot of young guys, some new faces. Tommy Sanders has come in and been up and down. We’ve thrown a lot at him. We’ve asked him to fill two positions, and he’s got a lot of talent. The two high school kids, not high school anymore, but Brett Wade and Reggie Chevis, have learned a lot. They’ve still got a long ways to go, but they’re getting better.
“We’ve added Nate Askew, he adds an element for us, a speed and athletic element, that we don’t have a lot of. I think Shaun Ward has improved. Some familiar faces, a lot of new faces. It starts with Donnie, I think he has done a real good job. We just have to finish strong in these next two practices.”
On what drew him to A&M…
“This is one of the top programs in the country. I think it starts with my relationship with Coach Sumlin. He and I go back a number of years to our time at Purdue. I knew just that one year that we spent together that he had a very bright future. I think there’s few programs out there you would leave your alma mater. That’s where I’d been the last two years at Indiana, trying to rebuild my alma mater. I think it’s (A&M) heading in the right direction.“Like you said, there’s very few programs that you would leave home for ... but this is one of them. This is a no brainer, football is obviously number one in the state of Texas, so getting away from a state where maybe the roundball is number one, it’s nice to be at a place where football is number one. It’s (A&M) a great academic institution, easy to recruit to, and a great fanbase. So, a lot of checks in the plus column.”
On what Tommy Sanders does well and what he needs to work on…
“He’s very fast, very athletic, can make plays in space even maybe when things aren’t clicking as fast mentally, he can still make up for it. As wide open as our offense is, you can really get exposed out in the open field but he’s a guy that overcomes that just because of his speed and athleticism. We’ve thrown a lot at him, he’s learned two positions and this package is very, very complex.“Just learning one position is tough in and of itself, that’s where I think Donnie has come in. Donnie’s done a good job of helping Tommy learn both the Sam and the Mike linebacker positions. That will be invaluable for us as we go into the fall because Donnie knows the Mike and the Will. Then you throw Jenkins into the mix and we’re going to be very multiple in the faces we can have out there. I think you’ll continue to see Nate Askew develop and we got to keep bringing those young guys along.”
On the challenges of having so many young players while also being new to A&M…
“I think learning the package myself, I was able to do that during the last couple of weeks of recruiting while the staff was out and about, and putting the finishing touches on an outstanding recruiting class. I was able to get with our grad assistants, student coaches, and learn the system. Then we had some time leading up to spring practice where we had individual meetings with our linebackers so installing the package even before spring ball started helped me learn it.“The challenges are new every day. Sometimes, you think you’re gaining on it and then little issues might pop up. They’re all working hard, which is the first thing I come out and look for, effort. We’ll continue to tighten up, continue to get better as a group. But like you said, anytime there are new faces, there’s an inordinate amount of challenges, new ones everyday and that’s where I lean on the older guys. The Donnie Baggs, the Steven Jenkins, those guys help a lot. Those guys are like extra coaches on the field, and then obviously you throw in Mark Snyder. Mark’s a walk around coordinator but he gets very involved with the linebackers during individual (practice).
“We can take a specific position, maybe the Sam linebacker, and they can spend five or ten minutes with Mark working on specific technique. I’m pulling and grabbing from everybody. Whether it’s the young coaches, the older players, Coach Snyder, the other guys on the staff, I’ve used all of those resources.”
On having Steven Jenkins back…
“It’s awesome, awesome. I know he’s chomping at the bit in terms of hitting somebody. I told him, Hey, you’ll have plenty of time to do that in the fall. But, he’s an outstanding player and I keep telling him you need to play your best football here in the fall, and he’s played some great football here, but you look at the two guys we lost, Porter and Stewart, and there’s a big hole to fill. He’ll do his job in terms of leadership and just going out and playing the game in order to help fill that void.”On Sumlin working with the linebackers…
“Well I think you’re always going to go back to your roots, the position that you played. Again, he played in an outstanding conference in the Big Ten, so he sees the linebackers need bring certain things to the table. The same thing goes for Coach Snyder and myself. I like all that, I like the fact that he wants to get involved, and Coach Snyder wants to get involved. Again, I don’t have a big ego that way, I think the more the merrier.”On what he’s seen from Nate Askew…
“Again, he’s similar to Tommy — speed, athleticism. He’s been an offensive guy where Tommy’s been a linebacker. Just playing on the defensive side of the ball is new for Nate. We’ve thrown a lot at Nate. We initially sold him on the fact, hey come on over to defense, you either cover number two into the boundary or we’ll blitz you, and we’ve added a lot more to that. He’s been a little bit frustrated in the recent scrimmages because his head’s spinning a little bit.“I think when he gets some more reps and the game starts to slow down for him, he’ll be just fine. It’s important to him. Going into your senior year you want to make that your best year. I know maybe it hasn’t worked out for him at the Wide Receiver position. I want to help maximize his senior year, and I think he’s going to help us a lot.”
On his favorite or most interesting discovery in the B/CS area…
“The outpouring just from the people. The hospitality, everyone is giving me a warm welcome. My family joined me about a month ago, my girls are getting all settled in to their schools. We love it. Anytime you move it’s hard. It’s easiest for me, I just pack my bags and pack up and go. My wife Denise, she’s got the hard job, raising those four girls and having to uproot them out of school.“But the people here have made it an easy transition. It seems like a great place and I know my daughters are fired up about the spring game this weekend, but also the home opener down the road.”
On whether he’s excited for 2013 at the linebacker position…
“Absolutely. There’s obviously a challenge replacing Porter and Stewart, but that’s why you coach. If those guys were going to return year after year, after year, it would be somewhat easier. It’s a challenge yes, but I’ve enjoyed working with those new faces. Tommy Sanders, Brett Wade, Reggie Chevis, I think those guys have come out every day and gotten better. We’re going to add Jordan Mastrogiovanni, Darian Claiborne to the mix, and it’ll be exciting to get those guys going into the fall.”Donnie Baggs
On transition to middle linebacker…
“It’s been a pretty quick transition. I played middle linebacker in my freshman year when I first got here. It’s been pretty good; it’s been pretty decent. Still trying to work on some things. Trying to tune up my game and get better day as it goes on.”On bringing along the younger linebackers…
“It’s been kind of tough bringing along the young guys; Brett Wade, Reggie Chevis, getting Tommie Sanders lined up, getting everybody to go along with it. I put it on me. I put all the weight on me to go out there, get everybody lined up, do work and get everybody together.”On benefits of being the leader of that group…
On new linebackers coach Mark Hagen…
“Coach Hagen’s a cool guy, I really like him. Real intense. You have to give him your all every day, come back and work really hard every day for him, so I really like him as a coach.”On whether Sumlin mentions his time as a Purdue linebacker…
“No. We talk a lot, but I don’t really talk to him about playing linebacker and all that stuff. I really didn’t even know he played linebacker at Purdue until a couple weeks ago.”On his surprise in finding out about Sumlin as a linebacker…
“Yea, it did surprise me a lot.”On how he found out…
“Yea, actually I did. I saw it and was just like ‘Linebacker from Purdue? Where did that come from?’ So yea it was pretty shocking.On Nate Askew…
“Nate’s transitioned very well. It’s almost like he should have been playing linebacker his entire career. I think he is going to be a great asset to the team. He’s going to do very well in that spot. We just have to keep bringing him along, he’s going to do very well.”On Askew’s height being a factor…
“It helps a lot, because he’s got the length. He’s got the long arms, he’s got the long legs, he’s got the explosiveness. So it’s easy for him to come off the edge really fast and get those blockers off of him as he gets to the quarterback.”On excitement in finishing spring practice…
“Yes sir, very excited. It’s been a long spring. We have been out there trying to get better everyday, working hard. So yes we’re excited about this week and we’re excited about the spring game on Saturday.”On spring game being on ESPN…
“To me the spring game is just like practice. It’s just another opportunity to go out there, showcase our skills, play football. But it being on ESPN is a pretty cool deal.”On how good the linebacking corps will be in fall…
“I think we have a lot of work to go. We have to keep working. Like I said earlier, I think it starts with me. I have to fine tune my game, make sure I’m ready so I can leave the other guys out there. But I think we’re going to be a pretty good group. With Jenkins coming back and myself and the young guys, I think we’re going to be really good as a group.”On atmosphere at FNL…
“I think it was great. It was pretty cool just to have a DJ out there to shake things up a bit. Having the fans out there. It was good to see the fans, haven’t seen the fans in a while. Just being out there and having a good time and playing football is what we do.”On whether it will help in recruiting…
“Yea it gets everybody excited. It’s great atmosphere. It’s just fun. It was fun for the players, I bet it was fun for the recruits and I bet it helped a lot from a recruiting standpoint.”Never miss the latest news from TexAgs!
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