Team preview: Memphis

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(All information as of July 1, 2006)

As if the recruiting season wasn't tough enough, Memphis coach Tommy West went from signing day to the operating table in a span of three days in February. West needed triple-bypass heart surgery and spent more than a month recovering at home before returning to the program in time for football practice.

"Signing day was Wednesday and I went in on Friday," West said. "Things went really well when I was gone -- almost too good. Clay Helton, our associate head coach, ran the program, and I'll tell you what, he did a really good job. I'm just glad my AD didn't notice.

"But to be honest it probably couldn't have come at a better time. I was a little subdued during the spring, but I'm getting my energy back and getting better all the time."

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