Graham and staff bring attitude, excitement

On Jan. 4, Rice athletics experienced excitement not seen since the baseball team won its national championship in 2003 — excitement centered on the hiring of head football coach Todd Graham and his football staff.

Before the start of the men’s basketball game against the University of Houston, Athletic Director Bobby May (Will Rice ‘65) and the Athletic Department hosted a meet-and-greet session with the new coaches. As soon as Graham stepped on the stage to speak to the Rice community, all could see the enthusiasm that he and his staff will bring to the team and the campus.

The Autry Army passed out shirts to the staff, officially welcoming them to Rice. Coaches came up to me asking when we could start giving UH hell at Autry — as a college sports fan, could you want more than a bunch of adults getting as rowdy as the craziest students?

Coach Graham invited his fellow coaches and his players to stand with the students during the game, and his men showed up in huge numbers. I don’t think May has ever been as excited as he was last Wednesday when he announced that Graham was the newest member of the Autry Army. I thought he was going to blow out the speakers.

Throughout the basketball game, the coaches were orchestrating the cheers usually led by hoarse undergrads. By helping pack Autry to the rafters, coach Graham has already made a huge stride by doing what former coach Ken Hatfield was unable to do — create a strong bond with the student body.

Thank you, coach Graham, for bringing your staff and team to stand with us. We hope to build a strong relationship with the team in the years to come. Students are talking constantly about your program and your involvement in the community. I encourage you to remain in close contact with the students. Together, the football program and the student body will make a winning team.

Luke Gilman is a Lovett College senior and a co-founder of the Autry Army.

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