One of the biggest questions for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team entering this season was who would carry on the tradition of performing the “Too Hype” chant before games.
It was started by former Mocs fullback Taharin Tyson, who brought it from his hometown of Alcoa. But his graduation left a void and a question as to whether or not the chant would continue.
UTC strength and conditioning coach Scott Brincks had the answer: Yes.
He also had the person in mind to do it: Derrick Craine.
The junior running back has carried on the tradition, and it’s been another part of his transformation into a leader this year.
Craine was named the Southern Conference’s student-athlete of the week on Wednesday, four days after rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-3 home win over Furman to help the Mocs improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in SoCon play. The exercise science major has a 3.61 grade point average, has been named to the SoCon honor roll and earned the league’s Commissioner’s Medal (recognition for academic achievement) in 2013 and 2014.
Brincks described his thought process Tuesday in deeming Craine the worthy replacement as the “Too Hype” cheerleader.
“He was the Winter Workout Warrior award winner,” Brincks said. “The guys respected him, plus I thought it should stay in that position group.”
Tyson came back to perform the chant before the season opener against Jacksonville State, but it was before the Mocs’ home game against Mars Hill that Brincks approached Craine.
“He walks up to me and says, ‘You’ve got it,” Craine said. “I said, ‘I’ve got what?’ He said, ‘You’ve got the ‘Too Hype’ chant.” I really didn’t know it and a messed up a little part of it, but the guys went with it. I’ve learned the rest of it and they’ve stuck with me. It’s fun to do.”
The chant stops with the players, though. Craine said the coaching staff has yet to get into it, but the fact that everybody has been able to have fun during the team’s current three-game winning streak more than makes up for it.
“You have to have fun with the coaches,” he said. “We’ve got a great relationship and we trust each other. It’s a lot of fun playing football, and we’re able to have fun afterwards.”
Tyson didn’t know Craine was carrying on the tradition until Tuesday, but he’s glad someone is keeping it alive. There was some preseason talk that linebacker A.J. Hampton would be the guy, while freshman defensive back C.J. Fritz could take over when Craine leaves because he’s “like a little brother” to Craine.
“I’m proud he took on the challenge,” Tyson said. “There were a lot who didn’t want to to it – there are a lot who aren’t that rah-rah hype guy – and Derrick usually isn’t that guy, either, but I’m glad he’s doing it. It goes to show the impression I put on the program. It was just something brought from my hometown, and it gets the guys going.
“If that helps Chattanooga, gets the players going and helps them win games, I’m all right with it.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/genehenleytfp.