Q&A: Leach talks Houston, helmet-to-helmet

Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was in rare form today in the Big 12 Media Coaches Teleconference, commenting on his team’s upcoming game against Houston and Sergio Kindle’s apparent helmet-to-helmet hit on quarterback Taylor Potts.

On Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts’ performance against Texas:
ML: “I thought he played extremely well. He played well te whole game, I thought. We had some problems in the first half but I don’t think he was part of those problems. We didn’t settle down in the first half, but he threw the ball very effectively, I thought.”

On Texas’ ability to get pressure on Potts:
ML: “They definitely got pressure but, despite that, he still threw for over 420 yards.”

On the differences between Texas Tech’s and Houston’s offense:
ML: “They’re into motion more than we are. They motion players around some. I would say that would be one of the biggest things.”

On whether facing a team using a similiar offense makes it easier to prepare for them:
ML: “Anything that is easier for you is easier for them also.”

On Houston offensive coordinator, and former Texas Tech assistant, Dana Holgorsen:
ML: “He was always kind of a sharp and insightful guy, good student of the game. Very good X and O coach. There really hasn’t been a time where I haven’t felt like he’s a good coach. Worked with him for a long time. He really does a good job.”

On Houston quarterback Case Keenum:
ML: “Good player. Quick feet. Accurate. Really good at running their offense.”

On whether or not Texas Tech recruited Keenum coming out of high school:
ML: “Yeah, to an extent, but we already had a guy committed. I can’t remember who it was. At any rate, I know we had a guy committed.”

On whether they coach their players any differently because of the helmet-to-helmet rule:
ML: “You don’t coach any differently. You coach your guys not to do it. It will be real interesting to see how it’s handled. yeah, I think everybody saw it.”

On Houston Director of Quality Control, and former Texas Tech quarterback, Kliff Kingsbury:
ML: “He was really a good player here at Tech. I think he was certainly the quarterback that lifted off the passing here at Texas Tech. When we first started, a lot of folks thought I was nuts to throw the ball and thought that Kliff was some guy out there that was just average and throwing it too much. Of course, he went on to rewrite the record books, not just at Tech but nationally. He was really instrumental to where we are today.”

On Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle’s apparent helmet-to-helmet hit to Taylor Potts:
ML: “I thought he was extremely tough. Despite being the victim of really obvious helmet-to-helmet contact, he didn’t really allow him to phase him, he continued to play well.”

On what stands out the most on film about Keenum:
ML: “I think he does a really good job of leading the offensive unit. I think those guys really draw from his energy and tempo out there. I think he really does a good job. the one thing that he does that all good quarterbacks do is the unit kind of feeds off of them and he makes the other players around him better. i think he’s a good example of that.”