By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As Tennessee Tech head football coach Bobby Wilder addressed the gathered media on Wednesday's Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association Media Day, the veteran coach entering his first season with the Golden Eagles was excited for the new opportunity ahead of him.
"I've been living here for eight months now and I'm absolutely living the dream in Cookeville," he said. "We're working toward building a successful football team. The goal right now is getting everyone in the organization focused on the process of winning. That's in every day – our planning, our preparation and our execution.
"The program philosophy is 'Aim High' and what we're trying to do every single day from the moment our feet hit the floor until our head hits the pillow at night is just get a little bit better, just keep stacking good days. I feel really good about where we are – we've got a good mix of returning players from last year, guys that are good football players and good people. We've also had some success with who we have been able to add through the portal in January, then again in April and May."
The Golden Eagles were picked seventh in the preseason poll, voted on by the combined league's coaches. Tech also received 14 selections to the Big South-OVC Preseason Players to Watch list: quarterback Dylan Laible, running back Obie Sanni, wide receiver/kick return specialist/punt return specialist Tremel Jones, tight end Hunter Barnhart, offensive lineman Logan Weedman, defensive lineman Daniel Rickert, linebacker Aaron Swafford, defensive back Tim Coutras, all-purpose Kyron Cumby, placekicker Hayden Olsen, punter Spencer Ashby and long snapper Turner McLaughlin.
Six of the 12 players are new to the Golden Eagle roster this season.
Tech finished 4-7 last season, 2-4 in the inaugural season of the Big South-OVC Football Association.
A lot has changed since then. With the hiring of Wilder, formerly at Old Dominion, and a nearly complete overhaul of the coaching staff, there are a lot of new faces. That extends to the roster as the team has 56 returning players and 57 newcomers.
It's not about where the team has been or done. The goal is to build a program Tech, Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland can be proud of.
"We're looking forward," Wilder said. "We're excited about the team we're working toward to. We're playing with a lot of energy. Our guys compete every time we take the field.
"I'm excited (about running onto the field for the first time at home against Tennessee State). Tech has led the OVC in home attendance the past three seasons and that shows loyalty from the community. They're excited about the team and the possibility. I know they will come out and support us."
The Golden Eagles open up the 2024 campaign on August 31 at Middle Tennessee, then heads to Southeastern Conference power Georgia the following week. After a Week 3 bye, Tech opens up Big South-OVC play at home on September 21 against Tennessee State.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech Football are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
