Brad Tollefson

Professional Photojournalist

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A Day with Kliff Kingsbury

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Last month I woke up bright and early for a 4:30 a.m. start to spend the day with Kliff Kingsbury before his Women’s Football Clinic on July 30. I was on assignment with the talented Matt Crossman for the Bleacher Report feature story “Kliff Kingsbury: A Day in the Life of Hottest Young Coach in College Football.” It’s an insightful read, be sure to check out the full story.

Along the way, I found inspiration through Chip Litherland’s Lebron, Wade and I assignment with ESPN The Magazine, and the time I woke up to spend the day with the Masked Rider.

Early Morning Workout

First thing in the morning, we met with Kliff outside the Football Training Facility and proceeded inside as he got ready for an early morning workout.

Kliff Kingsbury is typically the first person to arrive to at the Football Training Facility before 5 a.m.
Kliff Kingsbury is typically the first person to arrive to at the Football Training Facility before 5 a.m.

After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
After arriving on campus, Kliff Kingsbury works out for an hour in the Strength and Conditioning Center.
When walking to his office everyday, Kliff Kingsbury passes a picture of himself and his jersey from when he played as a quarterback at Texas Tech.
When walking to his office every day, Kliff Kingsbury passes a picture of himself and his jersey from when he played as a quarterback at Texas Tech.

Haircut at Regimen Mens Salon

Natalie Craig, owner of Regimen Mens Salon, opens up her salon early to cut Kliff Kingsbury's hair without any distractions.
Natalie Craig, the owner of Regimen Mens Salon, opens up her salon early to cut Kliff Kingsbury’s hair without any distractions.
Natalie Craig, owner of Regimen Mens Salon, opens up her salon early to cut Kliff Kingsbury's hair without any distractions.
Natalie Craig, the owner of Regimen Mens Salon, opens up her salon early to cut Kliff Kingsbury’s hair without any distractions.
Kliff Kingsbury autographed memorabilia can be found around Lubbock, including inside of Regimen Mens Salon.
Kliff Kingsbury autographed memorabilia can be found around Lubbock, including inside of Regimen Men’s Salon.
Kliff Kingsbury drives back to campus after getting his haircut at Regimen Men's Salon.
Kliff Kingsbury drives back to campus after getting his haircut at Regimen Men’s Salon.

Recruiting and Practice

Shortly after his haircut, he begins meeting with coaches and recruiters to evaluate potential recruits and plan the day’s practice schedule.

A board filled with play ideas and concepts can be seen right as you walk into Kliff Kingsbury's office.
A board filled with play ideas and concepts can be seen right as you walk into Kliff Kingsbury’s office.
Kliff Kingsbury and members of his recruitment staff meet together in the conference room for updates on potential recruits and to evaluate potential athletes.
Kliff Kingsbury and members of his recruitment staff meet together in the conference room for updates on potential recruits and to evaluate potential athletes.
Kliff Kingsbury describes the new plays to the team quarterbacks during position meetings before practice begins.
Kliff Kingsbury describes the new plays to the team quarterbacks during position meetings before practice begins.
Kliff Kingsbury talks with special teams coach Darrin Chiaverini as the team warms up during summer practice at the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.
Kliff Kingsbury talks with special teams coach Darrin Chiaverini as the team warms up during summer practice at the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.
Kliff Kingsbury watches as quarterback Hunter Rittman performs agility exercises during summer practice at the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.
Kliff Kingsbury watches as quarterback Hunter Rittman performs agility exercises during summer practice at the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.

Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic

Finally, after a long day of work, the main event was set to begin. The Women’s Football Clinic, started by coach Mike Leach when Kingsbury was still an athlete, now benefits Jennie Bailey, a recruiting assistant, with her medical costs.

Mindi Bingham, from Lubbock, takes a picture of Kliff Kingsbury as he walks on the stage during the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 at Frazier Alumni Pavillion in Lubbock, Texas.
Mindi Bingham, from Lubbock, takes a picture of Kliff Kingsbury as he walks on the stage during the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 at Frazier Alumni Pavillion in Lubbock, Texas.
Jennie Bailey, an administrative assistant for recruiting and brain cancer survivor, thanks the crowd for their attendance during the Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas. The money from the clinic went to go pay for a portion of Bailey's medical costs.
Jennie Bailey, an administrative assistant for recruiting and brain cancer survivor, thanks to the crowd for their attendance during the Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas. The money from the clinic went to go pay for a portion of Bailey’s medical costs.
Women practice push ups on benches in the Strength and Conditioning Center during the Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 in the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.
Women practice push-ups on benches in the Strength and Conditioning Center during the Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 in the Football Training Facility in Lubbock.
Kimmie Simpson, from College Station, wraps a bandage around the ankle of Leahlyn Reed, from Dallas, during a speed competition in the Athletic Training Room during the Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30.
Kimmie Simpson, from College Station, wraps a bandage around the ankle of Leahlyn Reed, from Dallas, during a speed competition in the Athletic Training Room during the Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30.
Fans wanted autographs and pictures crowd around Kliff Kingsbury after he walks onto the field during the Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas.
Fans wanted autographs and pictures crowd around Kliff Kingsbury after he walks onto the field during the Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas.
Taylor Garcia, from Snyder, practices a shotgun snap during the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
Taylor Garcia, from Snyder, practices a shotgun snap during the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
Jennie Bailey, an administrative assistant for recruiting and brain cancer survivor, received 12,000 dollars to support her medical costs during the Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas.
Jennie Bailey, an administrative assistant for recruiting and brain cancer survivor, received 12,000 dollars to support her medical costs during the Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic on July 30 in Lubbock, Texas.
Participants in the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women's Football Clinic gather together to celebrate the end of clinic on July 30 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.
Participants in the 2014 Kliff Kingsbury Women’s Football Clinic gather together to celebrate the end of the clinic on July 30 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.