Tommy West is entering his sixth season as the University of Memphis' football coach, but his first since undergoing a triple-bypass in early February.

West, who has led the Tigers to 24 wins in the past three years, returned to the football field in mid-March when spring practice began, intent on putting his heart surgery behind him and directing the Tigers to an unprecedented fourth consecutive postseason trip.

Q: First off, and the most important question for you this time of the year, when did you resume playing golf after being sidelined by the surgery?

A: I started chipping and putting about three weeks ago. But the big thing for me is getting back used to the heat. I got to get into some kind of condition, which I'm not in right now. And I've got to lose some weight and I've got to get into some kind of condition for August (and the start of the UofM's preseason practices) or I'll wear down. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Q: How much have you played golf since getting back out there three weeks ago?

A: I've played about six or seven times. The heat gets to me sometimes, but I've got to keep working my way through it. I'm like a player, I guess. You obviously get out of shape when you don't do anything. My plan is to get in the best condition I've been in for a long time.

Q: How therapeutic is golf for you?

A: It's good for me because I'm not into walking around a track or something. I come out to Colonial (Country Club) and I bang golf balls and sweat and play and try to walk as much as I can when I play instead of riding in a cart.

Q: You're a couple of months removed from the spring game and about five weeks before the start of practice, assess the quarterback situation.

A: I would say right now (Southeastern Louisiana transfer) Martin Hankins is our starting quarterback, but I want Patrick Byrne, Will Hudgens, Billy Barefield and Matt Malouf to have an opportunity to compete in August. Hankins hasn't been here long enough to deserve the job after the spring. Our competition will start back as soon as we come back in August. Everybody has to be ready to compete the day we start and in about three weeks we have to be ready to make a decision. I'm not into naming the starter the Friday before we open.

Q: How will the running back position be different without DeAngelo Williams?

A: Joe Doss is going to start at tailback. Our goal is to have the same type of running game, and similar numbers to what we've had. It's just that 2,000 yards isn't going to come from one guy. I don't care how we get it, but in our style of offense we have to be a factor running the football. If we are, we are talented at receiver and they can be who they are and make big plays for us.

Q: This offense had to rely on a DeAngelo Williams-led running game last year after the multiple injuries at the quarterback position. With DeAngelo off to the NFL, how will your offense change?

A: One of the differences offensively this year may be that we'll get more big plays out of our wide receivers. A lot of our big plays last year came from our running backs.

Q: Defensively, your team led the conference in rush defense, but ranked last in pass defense. What needs to be done to get a better overall effort on that side of the ball?

A: I want a little bit more from everybody on defense. We've been, on the average, a pretty good run defense. The flip side is we've been a horrible pass defense. We have to get more from a pass-rush standpoint. We've got to get better coverage. That's where we have to improve. I think the people are there for us to play good defense.

Q: Can you talk about the key newcomers on defense?

A: Everyone is talking about (defensive linemen) Jada Brown and Corey Mills being our newcomers, but, really, (defensive lineman) Rubio (Phillips) hasn't had his chance. Now he comes back (after injury). Quinton McCrary goes back in at linebacker (after missing most of the year with an injury). They are like new guys, too, because they were hurt and missed most of the season. And, hopefully, we'll get (defensive lineman) Van Houston back (who also missed 2005 with an injury). If we get everybody back on the field and healthy, I think we can be a talented bunch.

Q: The past few years, DeAngelo Williams was the player who spent the most time during practices talking trash with you and cutting up. Who fills that all-important role this year?

A: Talking trash? Any of 'em that can run for 2,000 yards can talk trash. If you want to talk trash, show me something. Anybody who thinks they can play like he did, they can talk all they want.