BIG MAN ON CAMPUS There’s a new tiger on the field, but when it comes to challenges and championships, he’s no rookie. Meet Texas Southern University’s new head football coach, Darrell Asberry.
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his year, the TSU Tigers will be the first collegiate football team to call the 22,000seat BBVA Compass Stadium “home.” And Tiger fans aren’t the only ones looking forward to an exciting football experience in a new stadium. Coach Darrell Asberry is, too. We caught up with the former football coach of Shaw University to get his take on how he plans to lead his team to a new era of victory this fall. How do you feel about the team playing in this new, state-of-the-art stadium? It’s always good when something’s new and you’re the first to be a part of it. I used to pass by [the stadium] every morning while they were working on it. I’d sit out front for about 5 to 10 minutes and then go on into work. I just couldn’t wait to get on the inside of it. We—the team and the coaching staff—have an opportunity to set the tone in there. What do you do to combat a tough season and motivate your athletes? I try to stay optimistic and turn any negativity the team is experiencing into a positive. I have to stay focused and strong with the team and help them understand that “tough times don’t last long, but tough people do.” What do you anticipate as one of your biggest challenges this season? When I first got here, I noticed that some of the players were kind of distant. Then I remembered that some of them have had three different coaches since they started. So what we try to do as a staff is develop the bond—before we develop the coaching part. For me, coaching is easy. The challenge is building a relationship with the team. If you can do that, they’ll play a whole lot harder for you.
Fall 2012
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