Kliff Kingsbury interview: Texas Tech head coach talks Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs interest and more

You mentioned the “talking heads.” What do you say to people who want to question the decisions of those who are paid to make them?

I just smile because I’ve been around this game a long time. I’ve been around a bunch of really good players as a player and I’ve coached good players and his talent is through the roof. He has elite level talent that not many people have when it comes to throwing a football. When he’s playing the game, his awareness and ability to extend plays and athleticism, it’s all elite. So if those guys can’t see it, the so-called draft experts, then that’s not my problem. I try not to get too involved, but it is rewarding to see the true quarterback guys in the NFL, as I said, talk so highly about Pat and say that they wanted him.

How soon after he was taken did you speak with Patrick?

I was there at his draft party, so I got to see him right after. Pat texted me when they’d made that trade, because I was back in the room a bit. He said, “Kansas City just traded up,” and we knew if they traded up, that’s what would happen. I was fired up for him because that’s what I felt would be the best fit, just in terms of having Andy Reid and how they felt about him the entire year and the stability and weapons they have now. He was thrilled to death.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the categories that Patrick has been placed into by the aforementioned talking heads. Do you agree in some ways with what they have to say? Do you think it’s overblown how much time he might need to learn?

I think it’s based on the circumstances for each individual player. I know Coach Reid understands that if Pat were forced to play early, he’s going to have things in that Pat does really well. He’s probably going to have him shotgun most of the time. He’s going to have concepts that match up with what he did in college that he’s comfortable with. It’s the same thing you saw the Cowboys do with Dak Prescott. They didn’t ask him to do things he’s not good at. They played to his strengths that allowed him to play at a high level.

That’s what the great offensive minds do. That’s what the great quarterback coaches like Andy Reid do. You watch Kansas City’s offense and he does a lot of college-type things in his offense, when you talk about spread or quick motions and finding ways to get it to Tyreek. So I don’t think it’s going to take Patrick very long. He’s a very sharp kid, the Big 12 scholar athlete of the year in our conference, so he’ll pick things up and work hard and I also know Coach Reid will adapt to Patrick’s strengths.

Besides being great for Patrick and his family, the draft also has to be a nice feather in your cap, too, and for the sake of the program.

It’s great for recruiting, obviously, because players know that you can come out here to West Texas — Lubbock is a little bit out of the way — and still reach any goal you want to reach as a player. To have two quarterbacks drafted in the first three rounds here [Davis Webb also played at Texas Tech before transferring to Cal], that’s helped me for the position I coach. Having a top ten player just solidifies that.