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Q & A with Tech's New Head Football Coach Tom Kearly
"I think our biggest challenge and priority is living up to the expectations. We're 15-5 over the last two years with a Great Lakes Conference Championship and national playoff berth under our belts. Those things have gone a long way to raise the level of expectation from the program. Our priority now is to continue that success." What noticeable changes will there be for the Tom Kearly Huskies? "I don't foresee any major changes. We'll tweak a few things. Obviously, I'll do things the way I think are best, where in the past I didn't have the final say as the assistant coach. As far as the main aspects of the program, the offense, defense, and our off-season strength and conditioning will remain the same because our coordinators are the same as the last couple of years in Tim (Driscoll—defense), Chase (Emnott—strength and conditioning), and myself (offense). Really, the core of what happens day to day will stay the same." What was your experience growing up as the son of a football coach, and what things did you learn from your father, Ted? Editor's note: Ted Kearly coached the Huskies for four seasons from 1969-72 before taking over as Tech's athletic director for the next seventeen years. "I had a chance to see Tech football firsthand and live it. I used to run around the locker room when I was a kid, and my heroes at the time were guys like Duane Williams, Larry Ras, Paul Sharkey, and Jerry LaJeunesse. My dad taught me a lot of things, but the two most important things I learned were integrity and loyalty." Why did you decide to leave your position as associate head coach at Division I Central Michigan to come to Tech? "There was a change in staff at Central after the 1999 season. During that same time, [former Michigan Tech] Coach [Bernie] Anderson came down and talked to my wife Patti and me about coming back to Tech. With the ages of our children and the fact that we'd been there for nineteen years, we decided the timing was right for a change. And it was a great family move for us." What are the goals for the 2006 Huskies? "Our main goal is to get back to the national playoffs. We got a taste of that in 2004 when we were ranked in the region and nation. It's something our players have set their goals for, and they believe that's where they should be." What does the future hold for Michigan Tech football? "We've taken some big steps since 2003 by winning a championship and getting the alumni and community more involved. We want to continue to build on the success we've had. I feel good about the support we receive from our administration, alumni, and fans. We want to continue to make the program better for the recruiting classes of 2010, 2015, and 2020." Are there any major facilities upgrades in the works? "We have good locker-room and weight-room facilities. Our number-one facility issue is a stadium. Over the last few years, Sherman Field has become a great environment with the VIP pavilion and the tailgating. On a fall day with the colors, it's one of the best places to play in college football. The negative right now is the seating. One of our short-term goals is to improve that and make Sherman Field one of the best facilities in the conference." What will it take for Michigan Tech football to return to the national tournament? "I think we have the capability to beat just about anybody on our schedule, but anybody else also has the capability to beat us. We have to play at a very high level and get some breaks. If you're going to be in a coin-flip game every week, and you need to win eight of them to get into the playoffs, you're going to need the little things to go right. We have to work hard and make those little things go right." How do you see the GLIAC race shaping up in 2006? "Grand Valley State, then everybody else. Grand Valley has almost everybody returning from its 2005 national championship team. Saginaw Valley has had a good run over the last few years. Northwood, Ferris State, and Ashland all have pretty good traditions as well. I think Michigan Tech has a chance to be in that upper handful. The league as a whole was very young last year, and many teams have nine starters returning to each side of the ball. I think it will be a very strong, balanced league." What do you look for in recruiting, and how important is it for you to recruit in the Upper Peninsula? "At Michigan Tech, the two-word phrase 'student-athlete' plays out just like it's said—'student' comes first. So, we have to recruit young people who can succeed with the high academic demands. Then, I think you have to get the best players wherever they are. The things the UP kids give you are an unquestioned loyalty and a good fan base. So, recruiting the UP is certainly important, but our top priority is getting quality student-athletes who are going to represent Michigan Tech well." How has your first year as head coach gone? "Things have gone mostly as expected, and there haven't been any real surprises. I'm dealing with a lot more of the academic, maintenance, alumni, and fundraising issues than I did in the past, but it's still a honeymoon for me. The tough part will come when we have to deal with a loss. And hopefully there aren't very many of those." The Kearly File
Husky Season Highlights
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© 2006, Michigan Tech Magazine |
Michigan Tech Magazine | Spring 2006 | http://www.mtu.edu/alumni |
What are your top priorities for Tech football as the new head coach?
Senior Chris Conner finished his career as Michigan Tech's all-time leader in shorthanded goals (15), needing just one more to tie the WCHA record in that category. The winger ranks 19th among all Tech players in career goals (69), and he is 35th all-time in overall point scoring (69-60--129).
Coach John Barnes of the women's basketball team earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year laurels after leading the Huskies to their second straight and 12th overall NCAA Tournament appearance. Tech also qualified for a record 16th consecutive GLIAC Tournament.
Radayl Richardson, a junior guard for the men's basketball team, has been named one of the 11 best players in the Great Lakes Region by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Richardson led the Huskies in scoring at 15.9 points per game and also earned a spot on the All-GLIAC North Division First Team.