Feb. 14, 2001

Head football coach Kevin Steele sat down Wednesday afternoon and chatted with fans online. The following is a transcript of the chat session.

For a complete schedule of Baylor coaches scheduled to chat, click here.

Kevin Steele: Howdy everyone -- I'm here, let's get going.

Just Wondering: Why is Baylor Football so non-competitive and what exactly is the "behind the scenes progress and internal progress" that you so often refer to?

Kevin Steele: The competitive issue is a complete talent pool, maturity of the football team, coupled with too many changes "continuity", work ethic, "We can" attitude. The internal things that are taking place are growth in all of these areas, as well as strength and conditioning development. Things that have lagged behind are offensive production, defensive inability to stop the run, and too many turnovers.

RoySpemming: Coach - how hard has it been to recruit the top talent in the state of Texas, going up against the likes of Texas, A&M and Oklahoma?

Kevin Steele: It's hard, but it was also hard at other programs I've been at going against the same three you listed. It is not undoable, but it is hard.

Rexual Chocalate: From your perspective, who do you see contributing immediately out of this year's recruiting class?

Kevin Steele: To answer that question, it is not based necessarily on the talent of the recruit but on the depth of the other players at that position. Obviously the junior college talent is expected to help immediately, particularly in the offensive and defensive lines. One or both of the running backs should step up, and possibly a linebacker or two.

Jim Hancock: Coach Steele -- Will Greg Cicero receive an extra year of eligibility because of "hardship" as determined by the N.C.A.A.? Congratulations on an excellent 2001 recruiting class which seems to meet the needs of our football team

Kevin Steele: First, Jim, let me commend you on using your real name. (ha ha) Greg looks as if he will receive the extra year, although it has not been finalized.

Steve: First, thank you for keeping integrity high on the football squad. My question, with Cicero healthy, how do you see Baylor's chances of competing against Big 12 rivals?

Kevin Steele: Obviously, the mature experienced quarterback is key to the success of most football teams, at any level, so I think that increases our chances greatly.

Scooter: Coach, will there be any offensive or defensive scheme changes this coming season?

Kevin Steele: Football is a game of evolution, both in the game itself and in each individual team, with the cutting of schemes. There will be some changes of things that we've already done, and additions, and deletions. As the team matures, we can ask them to do more. The bottom line is that we've got to play better defense and score more points.

DrDean: Will Wade be playing MLB for us? Does he have much experience at this position? Where do you see Tolbert playing?

Kevin Steele: Greg Wade is a Sam linebacker, and Michael Tolbert is a Mike linebacker.

DrDean: Which redshirt freshmen do you feel have a chance to step in and help next year?

Kevin Steele: Obviously there are a lot of practice days left to determine who plays. The ones who have matured and who have put themselves in a good position are Marcus Roberts, WR, and Michael Tolbert, LB.

Bear Fan: Coach Steele, With the new Junior College O-lineman coming in this year, and the fact that there are no senior lineman, how do you see this shuffling out for next year? Just curious, but how does a coach handle a young man that started last year and might be second string this year? Thanks - Sic'em bears...

Kevin Steele: One of the strengths of the better programs in the country is competitveness at each position. The starter fights to keep his starting position, and the new addition fights to become a starter.

Barry R., Greenville, SC: Coach, first let me say that the small, but hearty group of BU alums here in the Upstate of SC is 100% behind you. We appreciate the character, work ethic, and good representation of BU that you have brought to the athletic program. You obviously have roots here in SC and the Southeast. I noticed several recruits this past year listed Baylor as a potential destination. Will you continue to recruit this area, or were you basically running out the string of prospects you compiled while you were in Charlotte? Thanks, and please come see us out here any time. We'd be happy to set up a little alumni meeting.

Kevin Steele: Many of our recruits come from contacts across the board on our coaching staff, in all parts of the country. This will continue.

BU Fan: Coach Steele, recruiting top in-state talent will be critical in building this Baylor program to be competitive in the Big 12. How do you differentiate Baylor to recruits and how do you sell them on Baylor? Do you use the fact that we have the highest graduation rate in the Big 12, we're the only private school, or do you try to competete more on athletic merits?

Kevin Steele: In the sales recruiting process, we market all of our positive facts, which are many. The mission of the university, graduation rates, size of classes, as well as the athletic entities and much more.

TobyHeener: How is Cicero progressing after the injury last fall?

Kevin Steele: Cicero has been throwing since we played Oklahoma State, and could have played the last two games, but that would have cost him another year.

Doug: Other than recruiting bigger lineman (which I am enthusiastic about) What have you looked at changing this year so that Baylor can play more of a ball control type of offense, enabling our defense to stay off the field much more than they were forced to be on it last season? In other words what do you plan to change in order to control time of possession in our favor?

Kevin Steele: The term "ball control offense" has really taken on a new meaning in the last several years. At one time, it meant simply to run the ball. Now, it means run and throw, or just throw (with completions). The bottom line is ball control offense is now move the chains and score points. We've got to do this better.

Buddy Kelley: Congratualions on what looks like a strong recruiting class. I was happy to see that you concentrated on both sides of the line. In the past when Baylor has had strong classes they had problems making the grades. How will this class be in qualifying? Thanks and Go Bears! Buddy

Kevin Steele: We have one or two that will have to work hard, but it's not undoable.

Mike: I wish you and your family the very best in the years to come as head coach of the Baylor Bears. I thought last year we were more aggresive on defense and showed some improvement in terms of toughness,team speed and strength. On offense, we appear to be hard pressed to run away or seperate from a defensive back or linebacker and we rarely push people around up front. What can we expect to see different in terms of offensive scheme (misdirection, motion, etc.. to move the football? Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to improve the program.

Kevin Steele: In terms of diversity of formations, we were one of the most diverse teams in the Big 12. Shifting and motioning causes the defense to shift and adjust, which gives the quarterback (our QBs were very young and inexperienced) this complicated look at the defense underneath the center.

Cade Garrison: Will Baylor Football ever get to the point it can be competitive year in and year out and challenge for the conference title every three or four years?

Kevin Steele: Yes. It is not too much to ask that Baylor football builds to the point to be competitive every year in the Big 12 and compete for championships.

edbu46: Are you looking to add to your recruiting total of 23, by adding another j.c. dt or possibly a lb or another rb, or will you stay at 23 and save the remaining scholarships for next year? Good Luck, and I know you will get the job done!

Kevin Steele: Yes, there is a possibility of another defensive lineman being added.

Jim Wright: Coach, I asked you a question after THE QUESTION at Saturday's BBF meeting. I don't think I phrased my question clearly then, so here goes: Are we done with recruiting for this year? It seems we might have a couple of slots left since we would have taken Cosby or one of the JUCO DTs. Do we have our eye on some prospects that we might offer if they qualify between now and August or will we just hold these 'ships for next year? Thanks.

Kevin Steele: The overall count, we are at 85, but there are still a few medical decisions to be made which would have allowed us to oversign. Yes, we could have and still may add two more athletes.

Jimmy Ray: Coach Steele, I support you fully and hope you can turn this program around. You inherited a mess, and only time can clean this mess up. You and your staff have handled the situation with class, and I hope that pays off in the future. I just hope the Baylor Administration that helped create the mess will be patient and give you a fair chance. Saying that, when you took over the job at Baylor, Bob Stoops took over an Oklahoma program that was equally horrific. What key things do you feel he did to turn that program around so quickly? Are these tactics that you and your staff will try?

Kevin Steele: Comparing the Oklahoma program to the Baylor program and what took place, what was in place (facilities, financial committment and other entities) make it two entirely different situations.

Marvin Free: Coach Steele: Frequently teams establish goals for upcoming seasons. Has this team set any particular goals that you are aware of, and how would you compare the team you will have in the fall after your numerous big linemen arrive, with that of your previous two years? Thanks and good luck next year.

Kevin Steele: Yes, we establish offensive goals, defensive goals, special teams goals, programs goals, individual goals as well as team goals. We are in the process of establishing those goals now. We expect this team to be much improved.

Tcaesar: Coach Steele, It seems to me that it is extremely difficult for a small private school such as Baylor to compete nationally in recruiting. How difficult has it been for your staff and yourself to attempt to persuade a blue chip recruit to come to Baylor over a Texas or Texas A&M, when you are at such a disadvantage with respect to tradition, larger crowds, more national exposure,and facilities? Has it become frustating for you yet?

Kevin Steele: Recruiting is difficult at any institution. You've always got things to overcome: cold weather, location, student body size, graduation rates, win-loss records, bowl games, etc. It's always difficult, but just like they make chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, if you work hard enough, you'll find somebody who likes your flavor.

Lee Roy Anderson/Austin,TX.: Kevin,My wife and I have not been BAYLOR BEAR supporters much longer than you.Our daughter graduates in May,my wife and I are both Baylor Alumnis by Choice,BBF Athletic Director Club members and fans.Being from Austin it is tough wearing the Green and Gold, but after meeting the people and athletes associated with Baylor it becomes very easy.From Dr. Sloan to Tom Stanton to yourself a person can fill the commitment to making Baylor athletics a top contender in all sports.This is a special Place,that unless you are here it is very hard to explain.Do you feel that you are getting enough support from the alumni and students at this time givien where the football program has fallen and do you think that wins in other sports will help improve support with football.

Kevin Steele: Mr. Anderson - thank you. The question is, yes, I do feel like I'm getting support. 95% of the Baylor family -- the solid majority -- are tremendously supportive and positive. They are winners. They know how to work through difficult times to achieve success. Yes, there are about 5% that are very loud. Fortunately, we don't pay any attention to them.

Brad: Coach - I appreciate your enthusiasm a great deal. But frankly I am tired of college coaches hiding behind "facilities, financial commitment and other entities" when justifying wins and losses. The game is still played on a 100 yard field with 22 men and a football. Whether it be Floyd Casey or grocery store parking lot, the X's and O's don't change. I know it helps, but there has to be more accountability with the product on the field, not how it is supported from the people in the stands.

Kevin Steele: Frankly, Brad, you're right. It doesn't matter if it's played in a parking lot or on the field. But it's played by 22 men, and they have to have talent in order to compete at a high level. Those 22 men are the same men that make a decision on where to go to school. They are looking for commitment. In a decision-making process, that commitment is based on a lot of intangibles. One of those happens to be facilities. Another is fan support, and so on. Quite frankly, I think this would be very obvious, that it must be fact and that of the 114 Division I coaches, every one says the same thing.

Scott Hall: Wouldn't it have been great to have a group of recruits at the awesome basketball victory over Kansas? It might help to show recruits the fans storming the court at the end of the game. As an alum watching on TV, it made me misty-eyed and it shows what can happen in football when you start winning.

Kevin Steele: The Kansas basketball win... great! Congrats to Coach Bliss, the players, and the entire Baylor family. We did not have any recruits at the game, other than a few juniors, but anything that positive helps all of us. We're in this together.

Kevin Steele: Thanks for the questions. I'll be doing this again after spring practice next month. Thanks for your support, our players and coaches are looking forward to improving these next few weeks during spring ball. Hope to see you at the Green and Gold Game on March 24 at 1 p.m.!