Tyler Stepp Introductory Press Conference
Tyler Stepp Introductory Press Conference
2-8-16
The following is a written transcript of Carson-Newman cross country coach Tyler Stepp's introductory press conference.
Stepp Opening Statement: It means the world to me to finally make this official and tor really create a future for me here at Carson-Newman. That was really one of the things I'd hoped for when I first got here as a graduate assistant to have a future here. I didn't realize how much I wanted it until I got here and really enjoyed these athletes like I have since I've been here. It's been an incredible so far the support I have received from the administration from my boss coach [David] Needs and from the athletes, especially through this tough time. They have embraced me and it's been a blessing so far.
Q1: How exciting is it to be coaching here in Jefferson County where you grew up?
Stepp: It means so much to be able to give back. Like you said, I am a Jefferson County product. I was born and raised here. Most of my family came through Carson-Newman on their way to getting a bachelor's degree and that was something that I didn't do. So I never really had that experience and that connection with Carson-Newman like the rest of my family had. When I had the opportunity to come here, it meant a lot to me and now given the next step in the process as an Eagle, it's just outstanding.
Q2: Mr. Morgan alluded to you going out and talking to some coaches. What were some of the things that you maybe got from them that you want to bring to this program?
Stepp: The main thing that they told me was that there is no cut and dry way to coach anybody. Not just cross country kids or distance kids or anything else, you just really have to learn the person you are coaching no matter what event it is or what discipline it is. You have to learn the person and what they need. That will give you a good indication on how to train them. For me, it's been like a relationship building thing so far. I told them this just a few minutes ago that if you know what you need in order to succeed, then I am willing to give you that as a coach. There is no reason that we can't make that happen. That is where I am right now.
Q3: How helpful is it that you have been around the distance program these past few years?
Stepp: It's been very helpful. I didn't know that last year when I was just driving the vans for the cross country kids that I would be coaching them one day. I was really getting to know them and watching them. It started almost with me just asking how do you guys do this? It only grew from there. When you are on a bus ride five or six hours down and back during the weekend, you have a lot time to talk about everything. I learned a lot from with before I needed to know it. That was really nice and really helped me transition into this position. It's been fun so far.
Q4: What is your game plan and goals that you have for the cross country program?
Stepp: It's the same goals that we have for our track program that I have had my hand in the past year and a half. I'm not sure what our highest ranking was prior to the past two seasons, but as a track program, including our distance folks, we are about to break into the top-25. We were ranked 31st last week when the polls came out and that's the highest ranking in program history. We are just going to continue to push the pace across the board, and that's what I told them. Don't think this is going to have any other expectations than what our track team has had. We have never let off the pedal. Since our administration staff came to us and gave us the funding to where we can go out and get some of the people that we need to get, it's been great. From top to bottom as a University, it's been a huge effort to push this program to where it is and we want to continue to do the same for cross country.
Q5: What is your game plan for recruiting? Obviously you are a local product but do you want to focus on that or go out and get the best of the best?
Stepp: We want the best fit for the program. We have had local products that have come in here and been tremendous successes. My brother has been one. We have had people who have been really talented in the local area who we haven't even tried to get because we didn't feel as if they were the person that we needed for this program. As far as recruiting goes, our philosophy is to 'go get em.' We feel like we can go out and get anyone we are after at Carson-Newman. We have a lot of confidence in our recruiting. We had a top-five recruiting class nationally last year on the men's side in track and field and cross country is not going to be in different. When an athlete understands genuine interest and understands the fact that they can come in here and get better to be a part of something better, that's intriguing to them. Our work speaks for itself so far. Now we just have to just go and tell them that we want them to be a part of it.
Q6: Talk a little bit about what you are returning next year.
Stepp: We basically have everyone coming back and that is one of the advantages we have right now in cross country. We have a lot of talent coming back. Obviously, I think that anything you have you can make it better. That's each individual athlete and that's for the whole team as well. We will go out and get some kids who can complement the ones we have now. Moving forward, we have people who are with us now that are getting better and we expect these people to come to get better throughout this track season and on into next cross country season. We will come back just as reloaded.
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