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- Today on Sports Files it's a
discussion on the state of the
Memphis Tigers Football program.
What does the future hold?
And to break it down, I'll be
joined by former Tigers star,
turned local
television sportscaster,
Marcus "Doc" Holliday, and
it's next on Sports Files.
[theme music]
As we join you today,
the Memphis Tigers Football team
already played Temple earlier
today, and since we
taped earlier in the week,
we don't have that result.
Of course after last week's
heartbreaking loss to Houston,
and the prior week's
home drubbing by Navy,
the Tigers were trying to avoid
a third straight defeat in their
game with the Owls.
At one point this season the
Tigers were ranked 13th in the
first week of the College
Football Playoff Selection
Committee's Top 25.
It was national recognition
the program had never received.
There were even numerous
"National Columnists and
Broadcasters" who felt 13 was
extremely low for a Tigers squad
that was unblemished and
had beaten SEC foe Ole Miss.
Aside from the attention
the team was receiving,
Head Coach Justin Fuente and
star Quarterback Paxton Lynch
were also garnering
well deserved recognition.
Fuente's name surfaced for
seemingly every open job in
college football and the name
Paxton Lynch shot up the boards
after draft guru Mel Kiper
Junior rated the redshirt junior
as a top prospect.
But as soon as the Tigers
started to gain all the
attention, they
dropped back to back games,
and the talk of a New
Year's 6 bowl game was over.
With that said, the Tigers still
have an opportunity to post back
to back ten win seasons.
And that is something
to get excited over.
So with the success of
the past two seasons,
what can Memphis
do moving forward?
Where can this
program be in five years?
And have they done enough in the
eyes of a power five conference
that may be looking to expand?
These are just some of the
topics we'll discuss today as
I'm joined by former Tigers
great Marcus "Doc" Holliday.
It's a progress report on
Memphis Tigers football and it's
next on Sports Files.
[theme music]
Doc, great to have
you on the show.
- Glad to be here, Greg.
Appreciate it, my man.
- Thank you so
much for your time.
So, let me ask you this before
we dive into what's been going
on with Tiger football in 2015.
What was the perception of
Memphis football around the
country when you
played for the Tigers?
- I think people knew..
I take that back because I
remember when we went to play
USC, Southern Cal, in 1991.
They had no idea who we were.
They were like: "Oh, Memphis."
In Laguna Beach they
were like: "Memphis?
"Memphis State?
"I didn't know you
all had a football."
See, but that was
on the West Coast.
Teams down South, they knew that
we played football and we played
good, tough football.
They knew we had
a lot of talent.
So, we have respect down South.
But nationwide, they didn't
really know too much about us.
- Again,
regionally, it was fine.
But from a national
standpoint, who was Memphis?
- Exactly.
That's exactly the
comments we would get.
Like I told you when we went out
to USC and played a team like
that.
But anytime we played
Tennessee, Mississippi State,
Ole Miss, or Arkansas, of course
they knew who we were because,
you know, we had some
success against those teams.
- Here we are in 2015.
A couple of weeks ago the
first rankings come out for the
play-off selection committee
or by the play-off selection
committee.
Memphis is there at number 13.
You can't get better exposure
than be a top 25 team in the
play-off
committee's first top 25.
You're Memphis football.
What does that mean?
To have Memphis' name called out
there on the graphics for people
now who maybe did not know what
Memphis football was all about.
Now they see it in
black and white.
(Doc)
I think it's just
absolutely unbelievable and
incredible what this football
program has come to under Coach,
you know, under Justin Fuente.
He's done an incredible
job and not only that.
The players that he has,
they've done an incredible job.
So, just to see Memphis rank
13 and being in the discussion
nationally, college
football playoffs,
even now where they are, I think
is just an unbelievable season.
I think Fuente is turning this
into a great football program,
not just having great teams.
So, to see them ranked 19th in
the college football play-off
poll, man, it was
absolutely incredible.
Not only being a journalist
here but being a former player,
just nothing but pride.
- After winning
their first date,
they got
shellacked at home by Navy.
They lost the heartbreaker
at Houston where they had a
20-point lead.
So now all of a sudden
it's back to back losses.
I can't ask you to get
into the minds of fans.
But generally, what do you think
the reaction should be when you
look at the
perception of the program,
what they
achieved, 8 and 0 start,
which maybe overachievement.
And then lose two in a row and
come back a little to reality.
How should they look at
Memphis football this season?
- I think they
should still be happy.
They should still be grateful
for where this football program
is because I'm pretty sure just
like no one expected them to
start the season off 8 and 0.
I know I didn't expect them to
start the season off 8 and 0.
I guarantee you those players in
that locker room didn't expect
to start the season off 8 and 0.
Now did they think
they can win every game?
Of course they did.
But in order to start off 8
and 0 even though they went on a
little losing streak, fans
should be extremely happy and
grateful for what this
program is and what's going on.
It shouldn't take
away any of the fun,
any of the good times and good
emotions that they have been
able to experience from this
football season just because
they, you know, went
on a losing streak.
- Doc, they won ten
games, as you know,
last year.
They have a chance.
They play Temple earlier today.
We're taping
obviously before they play.
So, we don't know that result.
But they can win ten again.
They got a couple of regular
season games with the temple
game included.
Then they have a bowl game.
Is this what we're
going to start to see?
Maybe not ten wins a
season but this success,
is this what we're going to
start to see as a norm or is
this an anomaly?
This is Fuente and Paxton Lynch.
Everything was perfect and they
have a couple of good years and
then they'll go
back to mediocrity.
- You know, I
certainly hope not.
You know, I don't want to..
I'm like a perpetual optimist.
I've been waiting for this
football program to turn around
for years.
You know, when I played, we
were good but we were never like
this.
We have a lot more
talent than this team has.
But we never had seasons
like the seasons that Fuente is
having with these Tigers.
So, I mean, keeping Fuente and
getting another coach like him
and holding on to him is key
whether we have Paxton Lynch or
not.
He's an incredible quarterback.
But just I think the foundation
that he's laying with those
young men and the attitude
that he has in that locker room,
because those guys work.
They're humble.
I never see them get
excited when they're down.
I never see them get
upset when they're winning.
I never see them
get too excited.
So, to keep that kind of mindset
and to keep a bunch of guys that
believe in you and believe in
whta you're doing and believe in
the system, that's going to be
key and paramount to see if they
can continue these winning ways.
But I sure hope they do.
- As you know, you also need the
support of the administration,
the support of the school.
Tommy West famously left after
he was relieved of his duties
and went out guns a blazing
talking about the program that
they'll never get to where
they want to be if there's not a
commitment.
Now there seems to be.
They have not yet broken ground
but they will soon on the indoor
facility.
They've been raising millions
of dollars for this capital
campaign.
It seems like with Dr. Rudd, it
seems like with Tom Bowen who
was brought in as a football
guy that they know where there's
bread, there's butter.
It was basketball for years
but now it has to be football to
take that next step.
So, you believe that they are
in a good position with the
administration to get the type
of support that Tommy said they
always needed.
- I think most definitely
they are because you hit it.
You hit the nail on the head.
Dr. Rudd loved the
football program.
He's investing in
the football program.
He believes in the
football program.
Tom Bowen, football guy.
He believes in Fuente.
He believes in the
football program.
So, to have those
two guys going out,
getting with the boosters and
being the voice for the football
program because it is.
You know, this is a basketball
town but football does pay the
bills.
It does bring in the deals.
It does bring in the money.
So, to have Bowen and Rudd both
on board trying to do something
with this football program
and build these new facilities,
which you really need in order
to compete with all these other
schools is huge.
It's big and I think they're
going to continue to do that
because Memphis football can
be where we are wanting to be,
which is on the national level
and continue to be nationally
respected.
- I always wondered if
basketball could do,
why not football.
You need a lot more players
for football to fill a roster.
Fifty-five thousand fans
showed up for the Navy game,
55000 fans.
Which kind of tells
people out there,
especially from other
conferences who may be looking
to expand, Big 12,
that it's capable.
It's possible.
Memphis can bring that type of
fandom to their football games
as long as they
have a good product.
But especially if they can get
to another level playing in a
Power Five conference.
Although the Americans
had a terrific year.
It just shows how high the
ceiling can be for Memphis
football.
No doubt about it.
And it was absolutely great like
you said to see 55000 people in
there for the Navy game.
It's not..
You know, Navy is good for
football program but it's not
one of those high level elite
football programs for the 55000
Tigers fans top come out and
support them the way they did.
Win, lose or draw, it was
good to see them in there.
Because you normally only see
crowds like that when Tennessee
and Ole Miss come to town.
- And that's a great point.
When Ole Miss came to
town earlier in the season,
of course the Tigers biggest
victory of the year against Ole
Miss.
And when you
looked at that crowd,
it was, what?
-- 90% Memphis fans.
And you're right.
We normally see maybe even 50-50
when they play the big boys like
Tennessee and Ole Miss.
So, that says an awful lot about
these Memphis fans that they
will support a winner.
- And I was surprised
that happened to see that.
Because I just knew it
would probably be 70%,
speaking of the Ole Miss game.
I just knew it would
probably be 70% of Tigers fans,
30% Ole Miss.
But like you said, it
was 90 or 95% Tigers,
blue and grey.
Just a little small
portion of Ole Miss fans.
So, Tigers football fans and
Tigers fans have always been
hungry for a winner in football.
And now we're seeing that
because they're starting to come
out on Tiger Lane
before the kick off.
When the team arrives to the
Liberty Bowl and they're getting
to the Liberty Bowl.
So, that's starving for the
football program to do something
and fortunately for them,
the football program is doing
something right.
- The hiring of Justin
Fuente was a home run.
Was not made by Tom Bowen.
I think most people know
there was a committee.
Brad Martin was
on that committee.
A number of the movers
and shakers in the city.
And it came down to
Jim and Justin Fuente.
And they couldn't
go wrong either way.
It worked out perfectly.
When Justin Fuente leaves, I'm
going to ask you about that in a
second.
The next hire, which will be
Tom Bowen's first as a football
coach, is going to be
extremely important.
- Yeah but you
know, like I said,
I'm a perpetual optimist.
So, I only want to talk..
I hope he doesn't leave.
You know, we don't know
if he's going to leave.
We don't know.
And people always say just
because a coach has success at
Memphis football, he's
automatically gonna jump ship.
People say it's not
a destination job.
I know it's not a destination
job for a lot of coaches.
But I don't know what
Fuente is going to do.
I know he's an incredible coach.
I don't know if it's a
destination but I know he's not
high profile.
He's not Hollywood like some
of the other coaches we have in
basketball.
- But you don't have to be
Hollywood to take a job that
offers much more money,
much more support from the
university, a power five job.
But your point is well taken.
I think in this day and age,
where a lot of schools have to
pay to get quality
coaches, including Memphis,
I mean, 1.7 whatever he's making
now is nothing to sneeze at.
But then again,
it's not four or five,
six million dollars.
Can you retain a guy like that?
I still think Memphis
right now in some regards,
most regards is a
stepping stone job.
But I think you're right, Doc.
It doesn't necessarily mean with
all the offers that may come
Justin's, that he
necessarily takes it.
Family commitment, you know, all
that has to come into play now.
- And that's just the way I
like to think about it because I
would love for
Fuente to stay here.
Nothing against others but I
would have loved to play for a
coach like Justin because he
instills the confidence and a
belief in those guys.
And let's be honest about it.
He doesn't have the most talent
out there on that field with
these teams he's facing.
But he's getting the most out
of the young men that he has.
And they're giving him the most.
So, I would love for
him to stay around.
I hope he does stay around here.
So, I try not to entertain him
leaving because I hate for us to
start back over because we
have something good going.
And they'll give him a raise.
- But it'll
eventually happen, Doc.
That's why I'm saying
that the Tom Bowen hire,
the next hire, whenever it is,
after this year or five years
from now, is going to be
extremely important because
you've picked up
all this momentum.
You want to continue.
You don't want to have all of
the sudden a coach that comes
in, the momentums lost and you
regress back to what you used to
have.
Why can't they keep the
momentum going with another guy?
- I mean, they can.
If you came down to two choices
with Fuente the last time,
I'm pretty sure if you get that
same search group going they can
come up with some
other candidates.
Because apparently they
had a good formula going.
They came down to
those two guys.
So, in case he does leave,
hopefully they'll do the same
thing.
We can keep it going.
But you have to invest in the
football program like they're
doing whether you
keep him or not.
And that also means a lot as
far as getting players in here.
- Alright, let me ask you this.
Having played the game, son
who played the game or still
playing, if you were in
Paxton Lynch's shoes,
you are climbing up
the draft boards.
All of the sudden now,
you're a first rounder,
maybe the highest
potential quarterback draftee.
You're a junior.
Red shirt junior.
You could come back
for a senior year.
You have to go, don't you?
(Doc)
No.
I love Paxton Lynch.
And I love my Memphis Tigers.
You go to college,
you play football,
hopefully to get drafted.
And you want to get drafted as
high as you can get drafted.
You go to college
to get a degree,
hopefully get the
best job you can get.
I don't think he can be
any higher than where he is.
He's been here four years.
Like you said, he's
a red shirt junior.
He's incredibly athletic.
He has an incredibly strong arm.
Everybody knows him.
Everybody loves him now.
So, I would tell
Paxton, "Hey look man,
go make your money, start
your professional career."
Appreciate what
you've done for us.
We'll continue to follow
you and to keep up with you.
But man, go out and
live your dream man.
Because you've done a
lot for this university.
- Doc, with the exposure that
Memphis has received this year
and over the last couple of
years putting together the
season they have, the
Paxton Lynch exposure,
the Fuente exposure and now
some national recognition,
what do you think that will
do on the recruiting trail?
- Oh, it's huge.
It means a lot.
Not only that, the
atmosphere at Tigers games.
You've been there with the DJ.
I mean, even
opposing teams come in.
And they're pumped because
they're not necessarily.
I heard dozens of
Ole Miss players,
when they came to the Liberty
Bowl with the DJ playing and the
atmosphere that's so exciting
and it's looking the way it's
looking.
And it's feeling
the way it's feeling.
Recruits love that.
And now playing on national
television every week whether
it's ESPN or ESPN 2 or
ESPNU or so many channels.
So, you can be seen by family
and friends and you can be seen
by NFL scouts who are just
clicking and watching on
television.
Because a lot of times they do
that and they hear about you and
they see you.
And they come watch you
and that means a lot.
That means a great deal to
recruits and players coming to a
university and to a program.
- We all expect a landscape of
college football to change once
again, maybe in a
couple of years.
Maybe five, ten years down
the road that there'll be more
expansion possibly
with the Big 12.
Where will Memphis be
five years from now?
- Hopefully a part of one of
those power five conferences.
I mean, we deserve it.
They deserve it.
I know everybody, the Big
12 is looking to expand.
I think that's what
everybody has their sights set.
We can give up on the SEC.
They're not messing with
us for a number of reasons.
But I think we will be
a part of the Big 12.
Because with the way this
football program is playing now
and the things they're doing and
the look they have an support
they have, you're
putting 55---, 50000 fans.
And just think if you had
those other teams from a Big 12
conference coming
into the Liberty Bowl,
Baylor and Oklahoma
and Texas, think about.
You'd probably
sell out every week.
So, five years from now,
see us if not in the Big 12,
a part of a power
five conference.
I'm not sure which one because I
think this university and this
program is going in the right
direction and going exactly
where it's supposed to go.
- I like that thinking, Doc.
- Perpetual optimist, my friend.
- Twenty seconds, what
should the perception..
I'll go full circle from how
we started this interview.
What should the perception
moving forward be about Memphis?
- Happiness.
Be grateful.
Optimistic.
Continue to support these Tigers
because what they're doing is
incredible.
Amazing run so far.
And they're still
going on a run.
They still in a position to do
some amazing things this season.
- Alright.
We like to end all our
interviews with something we
call Five for the Road.
Quick answers to
simple questions.
We're going to learn a
little bit more about Marcus Doc
Holliday.
Alright, we start off with your
favorite professional sports
team of all time.
- Man, Oakland Raiders.
But it has to be the St. Louis
Rams since I played for them.
But the Raiders.
- But you grew up a Raiders fan.
And then when you
became a member of the Rams.
- Love the black
and silver, man.
Love it.
- Favorite professional
athlete of all time,
any sport.
- Hershel Walker, Bo Jackson.
It's a tie.
Hershel Walker, Bo Jackson.
- Can't
differentiate between the two.
- Two powerful running backs.
- Who do you think
was the better player?
- Oh my gosh.
(Greg)
I asked you the
favorite but who was the better?
- College or pro?
Just overall.
Hershel.
It's close.
- Favorite music or musician or
group or what type of music do
you like to listen to?
- Temptations, man.
(Greg)
You're going Motown.
- Love the Temptations
and the Temptations Movie,
my kids grew up.
We had cable.
They would watch that
movie over and over again.
Temptations, best group.
Jackson 5, Temptations.
- You're '60s,
early '70s Motown.
Good stuff.
Favorite movie of all time?
- Friday.
- No question.
How about a sports movie?
What would it be?
- I don't like sports movies.
- No, get out of here.
- I don't like sports movies.
- You don't like
one sports movie?
- They always exaggerate.
They always exaggerate.
I don't like sports movies, man.
You know, I just
don't like sports movies.
- Too mushy at the end.
- Exaggerate what
happens on the field,
they exaggerate.
I know it's a movie.
They have to script.
So, I try not to watch them.
I try not to watch them.
- You mean the Blue Chips,
they didn't really get cars and
things like that.
- But Love and Basketball.
My wife, she loves
Love and Basketball.
I'll say Love and Basketball.
- Okay, final 30 seconds.
I'll hit you up with
favorite television show.
When you're kicking back, you're
not doing your work over at
Channel 24 and 30, you're
just watching the tube.
- How the Universe Works.
(Greg)
Is that with.. the doctor?
- Yeah.
It's How the Universe Works and
it's Through the Worm Hole with
Morgan Freeman.
It's really cool, the wormhole.
I love Through the Worm Hole.
- Doc, always a pleasure.
Keep up the great work.
That's Doc Holliday.
We'll take a break.
Overtime is next.
[theme music]
-The Mississippi Riverkings
are off to a sizzling
start to the season winning
six of their first eight games
heading into last night's
contest against Knoxville at the
Landers Center.
That's good enough for
first place in the Southern
Professional Hockey League.
Recently the Riverkings honored
Head Coach Derek Landmesser for
his time as a player
with the Riverkings.
Landmesser's #55 became the
third number retired in Kings
history after numbers worn by
Don Parsons and the late Scott
Brower.
Landmesser is the franchises'
all-time leader in games,
points and assists.
He's also second in penalty
minutes and third in goals.
And here are some
highlights from the ceremony.
- For ten seasons, you knew
him as one of the most standout
defensemen.
Along the way he racked up
individual accolades including
seven CHL All-Star appearances.
In the 2009-'10 season, Mess
was named to the CHL All-Decade
team.
On top of that, a UHL
championship in 2002 and in 2003
CHL Presidents Cup Championship
right here in this building.
It's not a bad playing career.
In addition to all this here,
there are a few other people
from around the world who have
something they'd like to say to
you.
- Good evening, Derek.
Just wanted to say
congratulations on having your
jersey retired.
Not only does this show all of
the things you did on the ice
but more importantly everything
that you've done off the ice to
represent the Riverkings,
yourself and your family and the
community of Southaven.
On behalf of board of governors
and everybody with the SPHL,
enjoy this night
and congratulations.
- Brian Tucker here.
What a special night for
Dereck and his family.
I had the privilege of playing
with Mess for four years in
Memphis.
You know what you're
getting from him every night.
A hundred percent.
He was the guy on the
ice in any situation.
If you wanted to score a
goal or defend against a goal,
this couldn't
happen to a better guy.
Congratulations, Mess.
Have a great night.
- Yeah, congratulations, Mess.
It's a huge honor.
You were one of my favorite
teammates my first year of pro.
We won a championship together
so I wish you all the best.
It sounds like
you're doing great.
So, good job.
(male announcer)
Derek Landmesser's
ten year playing
career with the Riverkings
ended after the 2010-'11 season.
He finished as the franchises
all-time leader with 627 games
played, 563 points
and 462 assists.
He is one of four Riverkings to
score 100 goals finishing with
101 goals in his
Riverkings career.
He was the CHL's Most
Outstanding Defensemen in 2000-
2001, was a member of the All
CHL team three times and won a
Presidents Cup in 2003.
All that success on the ice was
matched with contributions off
the ice in the
Mid-South community.
[applause]
- I got a phone call
15 years ago.
It was the summer of 2000.
And by then Head Coach.
He was just signed on as the
first year head coach here.
And he called to recruit
me that summer and said,
"Hey, Mess, I'd like
you to join our team.
"We're rebuilding our
team down in Mississippi.
Are you interested
in coming down?"
He's like, "We're
starting from scratch."
The team won nine
games the year before.
So, that was kind of a
stumbling block for me.
And I talked to my girlfriend
at the time who is now my wife.
And I said to her, you
know, what do you think about,
you know, going down to
Mississippi to play hockey.
And she kind of looked at me
a little weird and she said,
you know," They got
hockey down in Mississippi?"
So, you know, we talked it over
and obviously I had a lot of
trust.
He's a phenomenal coach.
He had a great track
record everywhere he went.
He had won.
So, we made the trek for
our first year down here.
And like I said, you know,
over the next ten years,
I played with some
unbelievable players.
Guys that made me
better every night.
You know, those bonds and
friendships I made with those
guys.
Some of those guys
I haven't seen in,
you know, ten plus years.
So, you make those friendships
and I'll cherish those forever.
[inspirational music]
[applause]
- Great night.
Congratulations to Derek.
Here's some news about
our upcoming schedule.
You'll want to take note.
With special programming
connected to our pledge drive on
the way, we will not air Sports
Files on Saturday's over the
next three weeks.
The other normally scheduled
airings will still take place
including Sunday's at 9:00 AM.
Again that will affect the next
three Saturday airings
of Sports Files.
And that will do it for now.
Have a great week,
Happy Thanksgiving,
and we'll see you next time.
[theme music]
(female announcer)
Production funding for Sports
Files is made
possible in part by...
(male narrator)
Infiniti of Memphis has
moved to Germantown
road just half mile north of
Wolfchase Galleria and is proud
to support WKNO for its quality
broadcasting and service to our
community.
Quality and service -- No wonder
Infiniti of Memphis feels at
home on WKNO.