Former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach will be joining the CBS College Sports Network broadcast booth as an analyst for the 2010-2011 season. SportsNewser spoke to Leach about his new job at a CBS Sports kickoff event.
SportsNewser: What are you hoping to bring to CBS College Sports Network this season?
Mike Leach: I guess the biggest reason they brought me on was for another point of view. It is kind of like as you go through life you cant experience everything unless you utilize a variety of peoples eyes. I think I am here to help do that. I am lucky because I have got a great team around me, [play-by-play man] Roger Twibell has a lot of experience, so I have the opportunity to work with them. I am trying to learn a lot and develop my skills to do it. This is a whole different thing.
How do you think you will handle the transition from coaching to TV?
Well, I got a lot of help, but I mean people go to school and study this, major in it. The people here have years of experience on me. I don’t really need to reinvent the wheel, I just need to follow all of these people, share their wisdom and what they are doing.
What are you doing to prep for the season?
You are looking at it, I am here listening and learning. I have a bunch of notes that I have taken. I am just trying to read, follow and be myself.
Does the passion of college sports fans make a network like CBS College Sports Network a good place to be for you?
I think it is good, I mean that is specifically what I have been doing over the last 20 plus years. I think it fits me pretty well.
Have there been any experiences you had at Texas Tech that you think you may be able to take with you to the network?
I think my awareness of football, the stadiums, the people and the outcomes, and then beyond that I have done a lot of press conferences and interviews and things like that. I am sure I will draw from those experiences. That said, I need to work hard and learn, develop and invest in the future.
Are there any match-ups or games you are looking forward to in particular this season?
All of them, it is just like when I coached football, the most important game is the next game.