Effort. Attitude. Toughness. Turnovers.
Those four words, abbreviated by the acronym E.A.T.T., are used by Middle Tennessee State University defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix and his staff to describe the identity they desire for their players to have.
It is very similar to the mentality Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson likes for his players. From the day that he was hired as GM, Robinson has preached an identity of players who are coachable, tough, and have a team-first attitude.
Among the first players acquired by Robinson who fit that mold was safety Kevin Byard, a product of Coach Nix’s MTSU defense.