by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie doesn’t have his pilots license.
Doesn’t matter.
The third-year Bulldog Boss said Wednesday morning following day one of fall practice that he is “getting the plane off the runway this week.”
While answering questions from the media gaggle following practice at the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex, Cumbie spoke of getting started with all eyes set on the August 31 home opener against Nicholls State.
“Our view in fall camp is we ramp ourselves up this week,” said Cumbie. “Next week is really going to take off. We are getting the plane off the runway this week, and then we are going to amp it up in terms of situations next week.
“I think the time in July gives you more time for fundamentals and techniques of your position, and then you hit the ground running with that in fall camp. It allows us to get to situations faster.”
The Bulldogs hope to get over a three-year stretch where Tech has won just three games each season. Tech’s last bowl appearance came in the 2020 New Orleans Bowl, the seventh in a stretch of seven-straight bowl games.
However, since that time the Bulldogs have fallen on tough times, something senior defensive lineman Mykol Clark said he hoped the 2024 Tech team could remedy.
“We are all together, and we are all unified,” said Clark, who is the lone Bulldog defensive returner who started all 12 games last season. “I feel like everybody has bought into it, and everybody is going in the right direction.
“We need to bring that leadership back into the locker room. We need to get a lot of guys going in the right direction with the right mindset. My freshman year we went to the Independence Bowl and won against Miami. It was a 10-win season. You kind of see that same energy in the locker room now.”
In order for the Bulldogs to get back to bowl eligible status, the defensive side of the football will have to take some major steps forward after ranking among the bottom teams in the country in numerous statistical categories the past few years.
New defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson has come on board and according to Clark and Cumbie, has brought a renewed sense of excitement. Johnson spent 15 years at Northern Iowa — nine as DC — before serving in the same role at Kent State in 2023.
“I think (Jeremiah) has brought a big contribution,” said Cumbie. “I think all of (our defensive coaches) have done a phenomenal job. I think the players are not thinking. They are reacting. They are in attack mode. I think that suits their skillset.”
Clark agreed.
“Coach (Johnson) is my guy,” said Clark. “I’m not going to lie. He brings the energy every day. His scheme is solid but more than that he brings the enthusiasm. He pushes you to be the best. He doesn’t accept average. He does it the right way.”
Tech will return to the practice field today.
