JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 13, 2025) – The ETSU football team held its weekly media availability on Monday afternoon from Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. Head Coach Will Healy, wide receiver Xavier Gaillardetz and defensive end Brian Alston all spoke to the media on Monday to discuss Saturday's win over VMI and provide a quick look ahead to Saturday's Rail Rivalry game at Chattanooga.
 
Due to technical issues, the audio of the beginning of the press conference was not available on the live stream. Here is a transcription of the start of Monday's media availability.
 
Coach Healy's Opening Remarks – We were excited to be able to celebrate a big win on Saturday and it was fun to be back at home. I know these guys have been through a lot but after tasting victory again, I thought the morale was a little different today. I'm very proud of them for the way they've responded. I told them I appreciate how they continue to believe in what we've asked them to do. I have craved success for them not only to continue to get buy-in but also for them to be rewarded. Starting with an incredible defensive performance, when you watch the film, I think there was an energy, a physicality, and a complete group effort on that side of the ball. It's hard to hold a team to 1-for-17 on third downs so you must credit to Chad (Staggs) and his staff for the way those guys responded. I told them today that you've got a new standard for what it looks like to play football around here. I thought that the energy and the passion that they played with showed up even on film with no noise and those guys played hard and physical.
 
If you'd asked me on Sunday, I don't know that I would have told you Jake (McNamara) would have played that many plays but I'm very proud of him.  His process and how he prepares made him ready for the moment. He's prepared every week like he was going to play and I thought that showed with his execution on Saturday.
 
With all that said, I think there were a lot of things to clean up. I don't think we executed at a high level on the offensive side of the ball. We didn't operate cleanly, but we still had 500 yards. We've got to execute better than what we did this past week. I think what Jeremiah Harrison is doing right now is impressive at the receiver position and Devontae Houston was extremely efficient running the football. Besides the pick I thought Jake executed well there's probably two or three throws he'd love to have back. I thought we did a better job of finishing up front but we still got some work to do there and not letting guys come through clean.
 
On special teams, the return with X (Xavier Gaillardetz) was a bright spot but we still have room for improvement in an area I thought we've been consistent in all season long.
 
I think that's the message to the team. Keep the chip on your shoulder and keep that sense of urgency in our preparation. I firmly believe that pays off in the long run. Like Ty (Anderson) getting his first pick or Teddy (Wilson) getting his first fumble recovery. Those are obviously two guys that are near and dear to my heart and fun to see him be able to have some success.
 
So now turning the page to this week at Chattanooga. Chattanooga is obviously a program that I've got a ton of respect for. Their Head Coach Rusty Wright is phenomenal. He and I have worked together there, and I know a lot of those guys on that staff like Kevin Revis their offensive line coach played for us when we were both there. Starting with their quarterback, the first thing you recognize when you watch him is his ability to produce explosive plays. I think he's leading the Southern Conference in rushing for quarterbacks. They've got some wideouts that are dangerous on the perimeter. I think what they do defensively is schematically very sound and they play hard. They've had the ability to play a bunch of young guys over there, watch them develop. Coming off their bye week, they've been able to freshen up and prepare. It'll be a great test, and I know what this game means to our fans. My goal is that that we can make this thing a true rivalry and do our part to make sure that both sides feel the same way and I'm excited about the challenge.
 
On the quarterback situation this week - That is a great question. The truest answer I've probably ever given you is the fact that I really have no idea. Jake was able to do a little bit today, but Jackson Byrd has to prepare like he's going play. I have no idea on the status of Jacolby (Criswell) or Cade (McNamara).
 
We're meeting with doctors this afternoon. Jacolby has got an MRI at noon and Cade will also figure out what's the length of him being out. So, I don't know that I would sit here and expect for us to be prepared to play our fourth quarterback but that's where we are. Jake was feeling a little bit better today and was able to do some things but I really have no idea about that status and I think we've got to be smart as a staff of making sure regardless of who plays that they're going to have limited reps this week. We've got to be careful as a staff and making sure we're not too complex and that we put more of a simplified game plan together for those quarterbacks to go execute.
 
Thoughts on the Running Game - We hope to create a running game like we have now that has multiple different looks. I think people sometimes discount Devontae's ability to run the ball between the tackles because he's a tough runner and he keeps his legs going. He'll also fall forward but he's dynamic when the ball's in his hands. Especially if you can get it to him on the perimeter, which gives you a chance for explosive plays. And then the tough yardage has been Khalil (Eichelberger) and Jason (Albrittton) and I thought they did a great job of that the other day.
 
With you being a Chattanooga native, what does this game mean to you - I've played a lot of games in that stadium, and I remember when we got there in 2009. I've been able to see that program then and where it has grown to. It's a special place to me. That is where I cut my teeth under some good coaches and coached some talented players.
 
It has everything to do with our players playing the best that they can play and having the best week of preparation they can. Being ready to go play in a meaningful football game. Mainly, I want to keep getting better as a group and to play our best football. If our guys do that, then we'll be alright.
 
Below are the rest of the comments by Coach Healy, Gaillardetz and Alston with video/audio.  
 
 

The "Voice of the Bucs" Jay Sandos and ETSU head football coach Will Healy will preview this week's game against Chattanooga on the ETSU Coaches' Show from Johnny Brusco's Pizza in Johnson City tonight. The show will air from 6-7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to submit questions, by phone at 423-430-8287, by tweeting to @bucsportsradio, commenting live on Facebook (@ETSUAthletics). The show can also be listened to via the Buccaneer Sports Network on WXSM-AM 640 The Sports Monster. 

Season, Individual and Group Tickets are on sale at etsutickets.com. Fans can also can the ticket office at 423-439-3878.
 
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