What attracted you to the job at TCU? Opportunity and challenge. Obviously, with the program moving to the Big 12, this is a significant time to be here. You combine that with the amount of players that are here in the Metroplex, and there is not a lot not to like, except for the growing pains. But you have to go through them.

What are the top selling points when you recruit? You are going to get a top-flight education. You’re in an area where there’s good basketball and a lot of people to come watch you play. You’re in a good basketball league. There’s a lot to like about Fort Worth.

You mentioned growing pains. How do assess where TCU Basketball is as a program? We’re goin’ through it. That’s painful. It takes time. How do I feel about it? We just got started. Bottom line, these kids have been great. They’re listening to everything we’ve asked them to do. The key for us is the key for any time stuff gets tough — stay the course. Adversity doesn’t develop character. It reveals character. So we’re staying the course. They don’t complain. I don’t complain. We’re building this, day by day.

The lack of tradition with this program doesn’t seem to deter you. Been there, done that. I was at Nevada. It didn’t have what we have here. I was at Stanford. They said Stanford would never win a Pac 12 championship or go to the Final 4. We did. At LSU, we inherited a group of guys with academic issues, low APR [Academic Progress Rate] and all kinds of nonsense. Only won 12 games the year before. It was in disarray. It’s all about what’s in that locker room and the belief and trust we have for one another moving forward. Fans in this area are an educated fan base. They see what is done in football, baseball, women’s basketball, track and field. They see what is done right. We haven’t been relevant since 1998. I’m not speaking from a standpoint of being arrogant or cocky, but it’s going to happen. With this school and this area, it’s just a matter of time.

You don’t seem like a yeller. How would you describe your personality? I’m not talking about me. I’ve been married 33 years and she hasn’t left me yet. So I must be doing something right. I have two grown kids and a granddaughter. That’s all. This is not my job. This is a way of life.

You frequently wear sweater vests. Is there a story behind that? It’s not a fashion statement. Comfortable. Because dress shirts are expensive. We wear them out. Sweater vest and collared shirt, it makes sense to me. Three years ago, I was in the best-dressed coaches list. My family was like, “Really?” I don’t care about wearing suits. There’s a tradition of some of the greats of this game that have worn [sweater vests]. I asked them and got their blessing.

Big 12 play is about to start. What do think of the league? What can TCU fans expect? Well, I have never coached in the Big 12. But good basketball is good basketball. I’ve been in the Pac 10 and the SEC, and they play good basketball. So does the Big 12. It will be fast and physical. We’re going to have to guard really well and take care of the ball. There are a lot of good teams like some of the other leagues. There will be multiple tournament teams.

You seem to have a defense-intensive approach. Why is that? I would say that I have a comprehensive approach, a total-game approach. Defense is an important part of the game, but you can’t win on just playing defense. Good defense sets up offense. It gives you more possessions. It keeps you in games. It’s even more important on the road. When their fans are loud and the game is on the line, defense can keep the game from getting away from you. But it’s only half the game.