Ryan Tannehill's rise with Titans started with work ethic forged in Big Spring

BIG SPRING — Nothing has come easy this season for Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Some might say that's the way it has been since he graduated from Big Spring High School.

From playing receiver at Texas A&M to becoming a top-10 NFL draft pick at quarterback, Tannehill has had to scratch and claw for everything he's earned — such as Sunday's berth in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The success comes as no surprise to those familiar with the oil-driven town where he grew up. To them, Tannehill's story exemplifies what Big Spring is all about.

"We always were going to outwork you," former Steers assistant Chris Joslin said. "...That's kind of the approach we took every year. And those kids bought in and worked real hard."

Working 'the right way'

Joslin, now head football coach at Coahoma, was Big Spring's wide receivers coach during Tannehill's senior season. It didn't take him long to notice the athlete's above-average ability.

Even more than his athleticism, Joslin was impressed with Tannehill's approach, whether it was in the weight room or on the field.

"(He's) a kid that does stuff the right way," Joslin said. "That's what's pretty cool about Ryan and their whole family."

One need not look further than this season.

In March, Tennessee traded for Tannehill with plans to make him the backup quarterback. The NFL veteran kept working, eventually being given a chance as the No. 1 guy.

Tannehill and the Titans are 9-3 since he took over the starting job.

"He went to Tennessee and was going to be the best teammate he could," Joslin said. "Whenever you get a chance, you're not going to let it go. And that's his mentality.

"If you have a team full of guys like him, you're going to be successful. And that sounds like what they've got going on in Tennessee."

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Started in the Slot-T

Tim Holt coached Big Spring in Tannehill's last two years.

The Steers ran the Slot-T, not exactly the type of offense to display throwing talent.

While Tannehill was able to show off his running ability, Big Spring couldn't help but incorporate more passing with the future professional quarterback in tow.

"We threw it a lot more out of the Slot-T than most people because of Ryan’s ability," Joslin said.

Even when injured, Tannehill displayed his unselfishness. The senior hurt his throwing shoulder, keeping him from lining up at quarterback. But Tannehill wanted to contribute in any way possible.

"He went to Coach (Holt) and asked if he could play receiver, just to help the team out because he couldn't throw that week," Joslin said. "(He) led the team in receiving that ballgame just because he wanted to get on the field and help the Steers be the best they could."

Back then, Tannehill didn't talk about making it to the NFL. The four-sport letterman simply had the mindset to keep working.

"He just wanted to focus on getting better every day," Joslin said, "and then whenever it was time to go to Texas A&M, it was what can he do to help the team. We talk to our kids all the time about being unselfish, and that kid was unselfish."

A family affair

The Tannehills have lived in Big Spring the past 32 years. Tim and Cheryl Tannehill still work for the school district where their three sons graduated.

Joslin also coached Tyler and Tobyn, the younger siblings who also lined up at quarterback. Although those two never made the pros, they had the same attitude as big brother.

"I think that's the biggest thing is, their family is going to put them in the position to learn how to work," Joslin said. "Mr. Tannehill and Mrs. Tannehill, all three of their kids played for us. It was the same work ethic in all of them. They know how to act. They know how to work."

Tim and Cheryl Tannehill will be at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday when the Titans face the Chiefs, and they know they'll have plenty of fans cheering from Big Spring

"There's been an excitement around the community," Tim Tannehill said. "Of course, being here for 32 years, you develop relationships with people. And everybody's been extremely supportive of Ryan through his college days, through his time in Miami. And now that he's with Tennessee and in the starting position and the success that they're having, the excitement level has just grown within this school, this community.

"We're just so appreciative of the people here in this community and the support that they've shown for us."

Tim Tannehill said the Titans' playoff run has been "very exciting, and that's putting it lightly." He credited all facets of play, including the team's run game led by Derrick Henry. The proud father is now hoping for a spot in the Super Bowl.

"It's going to be a tough challenge for Tennessee and Ryan," Tim Tannehill said. "But they had a tough challenge last week, a tough challenge the week before against New England, and they were able to make enough plays to beat their opponents. We're hoping for the same thing this week."

Joslin will be among the Tannehill supporters watching Sunday. And there should be plenty, because of how Tannehill made it to this point.

"You see on Facebook everybody that knows him that's following him," Joslin said. "He has a big following out here because he was such a good kid and did stuff the right way."