What people who know David Beaty are saying about his hire as KU’s new football coach
Here’s a sampling of what folks who’ve worked with new Kansas head football coach David Beaty are saying about his hire, which was made official by the Jayhawks on Friday afternoon:
▪ “David Beaty is well-respected in the football community and brings to KU great vision, passion and energy. He has a bright football mind and is known as one of the best recruiters in the nation.”
— KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger
▪ “I am pleased to welcome Coach Beaty back to the Jayhawk family. He is an outstanding fit for the University of Kansas and his work to build a competitive football program will advance our athletics department and the reputation of KU nationally.”
— KU chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little
▪ “David is a great recruiter, a great coach and a great man. He was one of the first people I hired at Texas A&M and he’s been a huge part of what we’ve been able to accomplish here. He’s earned this opportunity to be a head coach, and I believe he will do a tremendous job with the Jayhawks.”
— Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin
▪ “Coach Beaty is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever known, and he really cares about his players. On the field, he’s a great coach with a lot of energy and he’s fun to be around. He will always push you to be your best.”
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and former Texas A&M) receiver Mike Evans
▪ “Coach Beaty is a players’ coach, but he knows when to be serious. He is not afraid to put his foot down and tell you what you are doing wrong. He won’t let you sit around and be mediocre. He wants greatness from you. ... Coach Beaty developed me as a receiver, but he also developed me as a man. When he came to KU he took me under his wing and really helped me mature off the field. We have a great relationship and still communicate to this day.”
— Former NFL and Kansas All-American receiver Dezmon Briscoe
▪ “Coach Beaty was a great mentor and coach for me during my time at Rice. He was a very valuable asset to our program. He helped develop me as a patient route runner and receiver who could handle the pressure that was going to come from defenses keying on me. It was a breath of fresh air to learn the game from someone who really understands both the mental and physical aspects of coaching football.”
— NFL and Rice All-American receiver Jarett Dillard
“(R)eading the bio of Coach Beaty it becomes readily apparent why he is the choice. RECRUITING, the life blood of any program, good luck coach.”
— Reader Steve Macy, Facebook
This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 5:24 PM with the headline "What people who know David Beaty are saying about his hire as KU’s new football coach."