![]() ![]() McDonald said that there is no one comparable to Achuff, but Long can easily get angered. He’s a sharp contrast to SU defensive line coach Chris Achuff, who always can be heard screaming at the tops of his lungs at a defensive end or tackle. When he wasn’t giving advice, Long would stand on the sideline next to linemen like Caleb Okechukwu or transfer Braylen Ingraham. In 11-on-11s, Long went to redshirt junior linebacker Khalib Gilmore and talked to him after he finished a play in the team drill. ![]() “He’s kind of a guru or just a super wise football mind.”īut as the new coordinator breaks down players’ strengths and weaknesses during practice, Long showed a preference to pull players aside to talk to them. “He’s the guy who taught coach White how this defense goes,” McDonald said of Long. Wax and fellow linebacker Derek McDonald have shown a willingness to pick his brain about defenses, and they are anticipating a chance to break down their games. He’s coached both the Lobos and Aztecs for a combined 20 seasons and has been a defensive coordinator at schools like UCLA, Oregon State and Wyoming. Long, the originator of the 3-3-5 defense, has adapted to various environments over half a century of coaching experience. Wax said that while Long and former defensive coordinator Tony White had the same 3-3-5 defensive formation (Long taught the defense to White while the two were at New Mexico and San Diego State), the terminology has changed and the defense has adapted to it. Marlowe Wax said last week that even though Long may not be around as much as other position coaches, the defensive coordinator has been helpful and will be able to dissect his game later in the season. When Mekhi Mason missed a tackle during the drill, Long came over to him and explained how those missed tackles add up to half yard gains. When the linebackers had to face running backs in one-on-one coverage matchups, Long watched the whole time. “But he’s more of an older guy, he doesn’t have to yell.”īut Long is also the linebackers coach for the Orange and will spend time with that group. “He will yell here and there,” defensive lineman Terry Lockett said. SU’s newest defensive coordinator, the program’s fourth during Babers’ tenure, will only watch, staying mostly quiet during the proceedings. He sees how hard the defensive line tackles each other, what type of footwork cornerbacks are working on or where on the field the safeties are surveying. Long will move around from position group to position group. Both Long and head coach Dino Babers have a similar method of observing players during the media viewing period. Everyday Long has worn a bright orange Syracuse hat and always can be identified. 23Īt almost every point of camp, Syracuse defensive coordinator Rocky Long stands at the middle of the turf practice field and watches over his defense. The Daily Orange beat writer Henry O’Brien will keep a running tab of updates from each practice this summer before SU’s first game against Colgate on Sept. Syracuse football training camp opened Wednesday, Aug. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |