Tyler — The Masked Rider road into Tyler.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders came to the Rose City.

Why does West Texas come to East Texas?

For the alums and for recruiting.

Texas Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville told KETK's Danny Elzner "It's great football played in this area. I grew up in Arkansas. A lot of guys I played with in college football were from East Texas."

Tuberville added, "We signed Ladarrin Robertson from Longview. This area is hard-nosed football. When they come to Tech from East Texas, they know what football is all about."

Basketball coach Billy Gillispie used to be at Texas A&M. Now he has taken over at Tech and his first two signees came from Tyler Junior College.

Baylor football coach Art Briles led the Bears last season to their first bowl game since 1994.

Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett is from Marshall.

The Baylor coaches and the Texas Tech coaches bragged on East Texas talent during their trips to our area Monday.