Texas Tech: How military experience influences SC coach Rusty Whitt

Texas Tech strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt has been a critical component in the overhaul of the football program, but its his nuanced approach that could pay off exponentially over time.

When Texas Tech hired Rusty Whitt following Tech’s 2015 season, it was a move many predicted would be too late. Whitt spent the previous five seasons with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, and while a Power 5 position is any coaches’ dream job, he was comfortable in Louisiana. So why would he leave knowing Kliff Kingsbury was approaching the hot seat, and what was he hoping to accomplish in an unforgiving timespan that demanded urgency?

Anticipating a militaristic approach, Texas Tech fans were less than pleased last season when the team appeared to be the same undisciplined, unconditioned team they were used to. But then, towards the end of the season, when many predicted Kingsbury would be fired, Texas Tech started to show signs it was experiencing a metamorphosis. While the Baylor win to close out the season wasn’t the juggernaut both fanbases were accustomed to, the team and coaches showed the beginnings of the team we’ve seen so far this season.

When Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt threw his support to Kingsbury and the staff, the decision was not an easy one. On one hand, he had a restless fanbase that wanted to win, and on the other hand, he knew that if given more time, Tech could continue building the monster that was already under construction. What most could agree on, was that the new strength and conditioning staff was headed into its second season, and they were interested in what Coach Whitt was planning on doing in the offseason to change the course.

Coach Whitt has been vocal from the start that it wasn’t his intention to create military men, despite the belief that a militaristic approach would instill a level of discipline that’s been lacking. It actually takes a deeper level of understanding just how his military background affects his coaching style, to understand why he’s been so successful as a strength and conditioning coach.

More from Texas Tech Football

Luckily for Texas Tech fans, Coach Whitt penned an article for Strength Elite titled, “Your players are not Navy SEALS,” which offers a complex, and in-depth explanation about military training, coaching, and how the two intermix.

The start of bootcamp and college athletics are very similar. Participants are usually under conditioned, and not used to upper-level training required to compete for a spot on the team. Through hard work and perseverance, participants develop in their respective areas, learn survival tactics, and prove their value.

"“Located in a remote area called Camp Mackall, SF Selection is a gruelling, physical and mental gut check that usually causes 60 percent of participants to either quit or withdraw due to injury.” Coach Whitt wrote in his article. “SOPC existed to enhance a soldier’s chances and better prepare us for the rigours we would face in less than a month. We had no idea what was about to hit us.”"

“Upon our arrival to Camp Mackall, we unloaded our bags and again we waited in a formation. Near our formation, obvious to everyone was a large, hand painted sign that read as follows: Special Operations Truths: Humans are more important than hardware; Quality is better than quantity; Special Operations forces cannot be mass produced; and Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur.”

Coach Whitt continues, “These SOF truths come to mind while watching many high school and college programs attempt to mimic Special Operations Forces training tactics. Any coach must factor in safety and efficacy elements when attempting to develop a challenging training and indoctrination scenario.”

What many don’t know, is that according to Coach Whitt, “It costs over $1 million dollars to train a single Army Special Forces soldier.” As we’ve discussed before, Texas Tech assistant coaches are paid dead last in the Big 12, so without a government budget, has anyone ever taken a moment to factor just how much it costs a university to train just one student-athlete?

Far too many factors go into deciphering a number, but based off scholarships, roster spots, and salaries alone, each Texas Tech Football player costs more than $57,000 a year to train, so finding the correct training algorithm is perhaps, the most important element in establishing a responsive, and winning culture. If you were to factor in facilities, equipment, travel, nutrition, etc, over a four-year span, it’s highly likely each athlete could end up costing around $300,000-$400,000 to train, and develop.

Coach Whitt implements the objectives he read on the sign above into his strength and conditioning program at Texas Tech, which is why it’s important fans understand why results weren’t immediate in the 2016 season.

“Strength and conditioning professionals may find themselves in a situation where a coaching staff wants to ‘set the tone’ early in a semester training cycle, after a disappointing season, or early in a new coach’s tenure. Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur. Your athlete’s welfare is in your hands. (Humans are more important than hardware).” Whitt continues, by stressing that, “Quality is better than Quantity.”

Coach Whitt breaks down players’ offseason conditioning homework into thirds, where he says only about 33 percent of the team will take workouts seriously, leaving 33 percent of the team at-risk for injuries. Considering time restrictions coaches have with athletes per NCAA rules, in conjunction with monitoring players for medical issues that are known, or unknown, coaches must approach training with realistic expectations.

It’s easy for fans to become impatient when results aren’t immediate, but conditioning athletes for muscular endurance is challenging. This includes absolute strength, speed strength, explosive strength, absolute strength, and absolute speed. The drills Texas Tech Football coaches put players through aren’t intended to create the next SEAL Team, but athletes whose collective goals are to win every play, every day.

Next: Texas Tech Football picked to face SEC in early Bowl prediction

To learn more about Coach Rusty Whitt’s experience in the military, and how it impacts his training style, please click here for the full article.

Home/Texas Tech Football

Texas Tech Football: How military experience influences SC coach Rusty Whitt

By VF Castro | Sep 27, 2017

Texas Tech strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt has been a critical component in the overhaul of the football program, but its his nuanced approach that could pay off exponentially over time.