Q&A with Lumberjack Linebackers Coach Eric Lokey
5/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 2, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - Q: What is it like being able to coach at your alma mater?
A: It's been a blast. I've had the opportunity to coach at my high school alma mater, and I enjoyed those years tremendously. It's been a dream of mine to come back and coach ever since I left SFA. I really had a good time this spring. I can't wait for the regular season to get here.
Q: What do you remember most about your playing days at SFA?
A: When I first came here I was converted from defensive line to linebacker. I really struggled that first year, and wound up being redshirted. I didn't play a lot early, but I stayed with it and had a couple of all-conference years. I had a really good time and enjoyed it tremendously.
Q: What was the first thought when you had been informed that you earned All-America honors?
A: It was a goal that I had placed on myself when I came here, and it was nice to see that come to fruition. To set a goal, and then accomplish it is a great feeling.
Q: What was the biggest factor in your decision to return to Nacogdoches?
A: I've been blessed with the opportunity to coach all three of my sons in high school. I've had a lot of mixed emotions with my two twin sons finishing up high school this year. I've been coaching at least one of my sons for the past eight seasons, so I have spent a lot of time wondering about what it would be like not having them around. I've also been thinking about coaching at the collegiate level, and when I got the phone call from Stephen F. Austin I was ecstatic.
It's also ironic that my sons were going to be coming to SFA. I actually asked their permission if it would be okay with them if `dad followed them to school.'
Q: During your short time back in Nacogdoches, what has been the biggest change that you have noticed in the campus and community?
A: The community hasn't really changed that much, but the thing that I've noticed is that the traffic on campus is a lot better. I just remember (the campus) always being congested, and never finding a parking space. The new parking garages on campus have really helped with the traffic.
The university has also done a great job with all the upgrades on campus. The new dorms, the new student center and the new recreation center have really added not only to the students' college experience, but it has also added to the look of the campus as well.
Q: Having had one son go to Austin to play college football, how special is it for you to have your other sons follow in your footsteps to play for the 'Jacks?
A: I'm really looking forward to it. I've been a Longhorn fan the past few years, but I'm ready to get the SFA purple and white back out. We've had the opportunity to follow my oldest son's career. We had been wondering if Tyler and Taylor were going to go to the same school, and how that would work in terms of who was going where. We are a very close family, and to have the opportunity to share that experience with our other two sons is going to be very neat.
Q: What has impressed you the most about your group of linebackers through the spring?
A: I was impressed with how these guys were able to pick up on the new defense. That is going to be the biggest change coming from the high school level. You tell these kids something once, and they get it. In high school at times you don't have that luxury. Jabara Williams has been moved around to a couple of different positions, but he hasn't missed a beat and just gets better everyday. Nolan Loflin has had a good spring. Joe Savoie has moved over to defense and picked everything up in a very short period of time. We also have four freshmen coming in on scholarship that will have a lot to learn, but they will also help us.
