Lamb develops early connection with ETSU team | WJHL

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – It’s been nearly eight months since ETSU hired Tre Lamb from Gardner-Webb as the football team’s next head coach.

Eight months is a long time, but because Lamb has yet to lead the Blue and Gold into battle, he is still categorized as a first-year head coach.

Lamb said last week at Southern Conference Football Media Day that he didn’t feel like a new recruit.

The college football coaching profession has changed a bit since he took over the Runnin’ Bulldogs a few seasons ago, and he’s developed his own coaching style.

Settled is definitely the word to describe how Lamb feels in Johnson City – especially compared to how he felt in Year 1 in Boiling Springs.

“That was before the transfer portal or when it first started — you couldn’t do any of that,” he said Tuesday. “But I feel like I know this team a lot better than I knew that team in Year 1. It took a year to get to know those guys.”

“Now I feel pretty comfortable, even with the returning players,” he continued. “I’ve tried to spend a lot of time with the Chris Hopes in our squad – just getting to know those guys. But there’s no question that I’m definitely more comfortable with this squad than I was my first year at Gardner-Webb.”

The Buccaneers’ pre-season training camp begins Tuesday.