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Many former student-athletes are now getting to watch their own children compete at the college level. One of those parents is former Texas Tech football player Verone McKinley Jr. who's son is now suiting up for the Oregon Ducks.
Here is a Q&A with McKinley Jr. who recently connected with our own Brandon Soliz and Matt Clare.
How has your family been handling the situation with no football or sports to watch or attend events?
"It's just an unfortunate situation for everyone and it's totally new. I think we'll only get by together. It's something that we as a family aren't thinking bad about. It's family time. We'll be spending time with one another and get through it with everyone else."
How has your son (redshirt sophomore DB Verone McKinley III) been training and keeping his body in shape without the Oregon staff around?
"Well he's home now and all the gyms are closed here in Dallas so it's kind of like a makeshift, old school deal going on where you're doing jump squats, push-ups, sit-ups, running the hill or track. It's pretty basic what he's been doing so far."
What's been the most exciting part for you as a parent watching him play at this level?
"You see him continue to grow and develop both physically and mentally. I think now the game at the college level for him has slowed down because how he's a student of the game. It's allowing him to do the things that he was excelling at in high school in the college game and that's exciting to watch."
When did it click for you when you were at Texas Tech?
"Ooooh probably not this early. I tell people all the time that this generation is just different because you can just easily pull up film on your phone. It's just different and we're seeing these young guys adjust well and faster than what we did back in the day."
Clay Mack is a huge training name with DBs especially in Dallas and football. Did your son meet any mentors while training with Clay?
"Clay's always been around a great group of guys like Jeff Okudah and Jamal Adams so Verone's been around some talented players since he was a freshman in high school. He has to keep sharpening the ax so he keeps in touch with a ton of those guys."
How's it different now when it comes to training and having these 7-on-7 events and camps? Did you get to experience any of that?
"Yes and no. It's more commercialized now but even in my day we had trainers and even 7-on-7 but we didn't call it that. We called it shirts and skins and it was organized by the players and we'd meet at a high school practice field or something. We were able to meet everyone from the area that went of course and learn different techniques that players learned from other players. I remember we had Florida State guys showing us Deion Sanders' technique. It's just more advertised now."
How did you end up Texas Tech and how was it being recruited, especially by Spike Dykes?
"Oh recruitment was totally different. Back in my day, you didn't get an offer until you made your official visit. You didn't just get some just because. You would get some when you came to the school, which would be your senior year. Now, these kids are getting offers their freshman year of high school or earlier than that. So the verbal offer came your senior year when your recruitment really kicked off. Then you'd get five visits in before you see the commitment.
Talk about the operation without having emails or smartphones. How did you communicate with recruiters?
"We would get recruitment letters and we had the landline. A written letter was a big things. They'd say, 'hey, I'm calling you at 7 o'clock Tuesday night,' and that was a big thing when you had a call waiting. You'd have that time to constantly talk on the phone compared to now it just being a quick DM. It was more planned out."
How have facilities changed the game compared to your playing days?
"Yeah obviously they're bigger and better but the main thing is you see the investment in the student-athlete now. I remember being in awe when I visited Texas Tech and they had a hot tub by the locker room. It was like, 'wow, they got a turf field and hot tub.' Now it's state of the art stuff from the beginning to the end."
What are your thoughts on coach Wells' first year and what he can get done at Texas Tech?
"Yeah, I think hes really establishing that culture. He's kinda old school and tough minded with the kids and bringing that toughness back. Of course, I'm a bit bias with Kliff. When he was hired I thought it was a great move but it was just one of those things where it was time for a change. We brought in someone from the outside to put a bigger focus on recruitment and spending more time there. I think he'll have it heading in the right direction. I took a couple of kids to one of his first junior days and with Verone I don't really make it to Lubbock as much because I'm wherever the University of Oregon is watching him play. Like I always tell people, 'if you make it to Lubbock it's a totally different perspective. Just get out there.'"
Finally, what was your favorite on the field moment at Texas Tech and who's the most talented teammate you had?
"First and foremost, it would be my senior year at Texas A&M - Zach Thomas getting the game-winning interception to seal the game. That's the first one. It was a rivalry and you know a great game, too, coming down to the last series. It's something we don't see too often either with a defensive stop to win the game. Talent-wise, Zach was great but overall I think Shawn Banks is up there, he lined up next to Zach. Shawn was a four-year starter and could do everything. He doesn't get as much credit but he was there for everything."
