BILLINGS TACKLES HEAVY AGENDA IN FIRST DAYS ON JOB

It's been a whirlwind first few days on the job for new Southeast Missouri State University head football coach Tim Billings, who arrived in Cape Girardeau late Monday and has virtually been going non-stop ever since.

"I've just basically been meeting with people on campus and taking care of a lot of the little things, like keys, business cards, that kind of thing," said Billings Thursday afternoon. "I've been recruiting assistant coaches, trying to put together a staff, and trying to get started on recruiting.

"It's been busy, but I'm glad to be here and getting started."

Billings has moved into his office at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex, but he hasn't yet had the time to put any of his personal items in place.

"It's pretty much me and the desk," he said with a laugh.

Billings planned to take in the Southeast vs. Tennessee State basketball game at the Show Me Center Thursday night before leaving today for California, where he has been asked to speak at the national coaches convention that runs Saturday through Wednesday.

Billings was asked to speak at the convention while he was still the defensive coordinator at Marshall. And he figures to have plenty to talk about, since the undefeated Thundering Herd put on quite a defensive show during their 21-3 win over BYU in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 27.

"It's a big honor for me (to speak at the convention)," said Billings, who said of the Motor City Bowl, "It was real exciting, especially as a defensive group. Since I've been coaching for 20 years, it's the best defensive effort I've had. BYU is a really good offensive team, but they didn't look that way."

Billings said he has long emphasized speed over size Marshall was a perfect example of that because the Thundering Herd were somewhat undersized on defense but had speed all over the field during its rout of BYU and he will base his talk at the coaches convention on just that.

"That (speed) is my philosophy and my talk in California will be speed kills," he said. "You have to be able to run to the ball. We (coaches) can get em bigger and stronger, but it's hard to get em faster."

When Billings returns from California, he said one of his first priorities will be to meet with his new team. That hasn't yet been possible because the players have been home on winter break.

"I'm going to meet the team, then I'll go out recruiting," Billings said.

Billings has been able to watch some of the Indians' game films from last season and he said he's excited by what he's seen from a squad that went just 3-8 but won three of its last four games.

"I've watched a little bit just to get a feel and I'm excited about how they finished the season," he said. "The way they played early, and then to not give up and win three of the last four games, it shows what kind of commitment the team has. That excites me. A lot of teams would have quit.

"I'm excited about the kids coming back. We're going to add some new players and try to be successful (next season)."

Billings said his new staff will be announced at a later time, after he has all his assistants in place.

"I feel like I've got the guys I want, I just have to get them to say they're coming," he said.