 
Darrell Wyatt press conference transcript: Jan. 3
Jan. 3, 2011
On the deciding factors that brought him to Texas: Well, obviously, it's a great university and a great opportunity. You talk about one of the top schools in the country [and] the top-flight program and obviously when you're close to home it weighs a lot. My wife is from nearby in San Antonio, so what an unbelievable opportunity this is for us. On if already having Big 12 experience helps: No question about it. Being familiar with this league, knowing the teams, having competed at a high level, certainly having recruited in this state for a long time and having a great relationship with the Texas high school coaches, it was a great move. On what his exact role in recruiting will be: I am just trying to get my feet underneath me to be honest with you. It's been kind of a whirlwind. I'm about to go out and get with [Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends] Coach [Bruce] Chambers and start putting together our recruiting plan. So I don't know exactly what area I'll be recruiting but certainly having past experience in this state, it will be easier for me to find places and get to know coaches. On if the decision was hard to make without knowing who the offensive coordinator will be: Not really. When you get an opportunity to come to a place like The University of Texas and work with a guy like Mack Brown and [the] great staff he is putting together and all the resources we have here, it's really tough to say no. I was on board, my wife was obviously on board, and we're excited to be at The University of Texas. On the type of offense he thinks the Longhorns will run: I know that we want to be able to run the football as well as continue to throw the ball down the field and make big plays. The main thing we want to do is obviously protect the football and score a lot of points. At some point we'll get together as an offensive staff and start deciding what kind of offense we're going to run.
On where he's recruited in Texas: I've had experiences in just about every part of the state. I've recruited the Dallas Metroplex area, [and] at one point I recruited Houston as well as East Texas. Obviously, my wife is from San Antonio and me being from Killeen - central Texas, so I've recruited just about every part of the state. On if there is a certain place he's recruited more than others: There's no special place I've recruited. I'm working with Coach Chambers and we're getting a recruiting plan together, and again, we're going to put together a strong recruiting staff. On what it takes to recruit in Texas: I think it takes a great relationship with people. Recruiting is a people business, and you have to develop relationships with the coaches first then the kids. Making sure there is a trust there and obviously selling them a place like Texas certainly makes it easier. It's still a battle. There are a lot of good things and good places to sell, but again, I like my chances here with all the resources and the great tradition. On what he knows about the current Texas wide receivers corps: I don't want to judge the guys or make any evaluation before I see them. I'm familiar with some of their names, and I know they're talented. I'm looking forward to the challenge of the spring and bringing those guys along. On his relationship with Mack Brown: Well, I think from afar we both respected each other's work. I respected the success he had here, and I think he respected my work. Again, it was a natural fit with me being from Texas and him having an opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to having a chance to work with him. On if the coaching vacancies make it difficult to recruit: Not really, when you have confidence and Coach Brown and the unbelievable resources and tradition of this place. You know he is going to hire a quality staff, and you know the program is going to get back on its feet and get back to competing for championships in the short order, and that's exactly what we're going to do. On his coaching style: I think I bring a level of intensity to the field, but I'm a fair guy and it's out of love and I think that that's going to help the group. I think the group is looking forward to that kind of energy. I think we need some energy, and I think that's what I bring to the table. I bring a lot of energy that's been developed over a lot of years, and I'm looking forward to working with the guys. On talent development vs. talent evaluation in the recruiting process: I think they go hand in hand. Ultimately, you have to go out and sell the program and sell the opportunity at a school like The University of Texas to get a quality education. Then once you get the young man on campus, I think there is a development process on and off the field and certainly getting him to understand that talent has to translate into a certain work ethic that will give him an opportunity to be successful playing college football at the highest level. On some of the former players he has coached that went on to the NFL: Well, you know I could think of a few guys real quick. I think of a guy like Rashaun Woods, who was kind of an unheard-of-receiver, and we formed a bond in a short time and before you know it he was one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Certainly a guy like a Mark Clayton, a guy like a Malcolm Kelly - I think I developed a great relationship with those guys and Mike Thomas from Arizona is doing well with the [Jacksonville] Jaguars. You go out, get to know these guys, develop a relationship and a trust factor where you can coach them in a hard but fair way and that they understand that if they're willing to work hard and listen and trust, then they've got a chance to be special players and max their talent out. On if there is a common denominator in the players he has coached/recruited: I think the one common denominator is that they were all driven guys. We want to find guys that are driven, [and] guys that have a burning desire to be great players. That's the one common denominator with those guys. On how this job compares to his other jobs: Obviously, it's a special job for me because of its location - because being in Texas and because of the great history and tradition. You walk down the hallways here and the tradition oozes out at you. It's a special place, and I'm just glad to be here. I'm looking forward to getting to work, getting on the road recruiting and in a short time starting spring practice.
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