North Carolina State University Athletics
Preseason Q&A: Offensive line coach Don Horton
8/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
After two years in Charlottesville, the 1982 Wittenburg College graduate became the head coach at Norfolk Catholic High School, where he spent two years before returning to the college ranks to become the offensive coordinator at his alma mater. He also coached at Capital University, Ohio University and Southern Illinois. In 1997, Horton got a call to re-join O’Brien as the offensive line coach at Boston College, where he stayed for the duration of O’Brien’s tenure there.
“I think he is an outstanding coach and he did a great job for us with the offensive line at BC,” O’Brien said of his fellow Cincinnati native. “I am sure he will put a line together here.” Horton has three returning players with starting experience: center Luke Lathan and guard Kalani Heppe and Curtis Crouch. He also has two inexperienced tackles and an overall lack of experience and depth. But there are five freshman offensive line recruits that Horton will slowly develop throughout the year.
Horton talked about the offensive line’s development through the first week of preseason practice with GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler. GoPack.com: Just give a short update on how things stand on the offensive line a week into preseason practice.
Horton: The guys are working hard, obviously. They are better than they were in the spring, so that is good right now. They still have a lot more improving to do. We are still mixing and matching guys around to see who the best five players are and we will try to find the sixth, seventh and eighth players we will use.
GoPack.com: Are there players who have made any position changes in the preseason?
Horton: I wouldn’t say there have been any changes. We are always experimenting trying to find the best five players. Nothing is set in stone. We won’t really know until the week before that first week of the season. GoPack.com: There are three guys who are listed at the top of the preseason organizational chart that have significant experience: guards Kalani Heppe and Curtis Crouch and center Luke Lathan. How are they helping break in some young players?
Horton: They are all doing a good job. They had a good summer. Luke and Kalani are going to do a good job. They are tough kids and good leaders.
GoPack.com: Last year, Meares Green could play any of the three positions on the line. Do you see that same kind of versatility for him this year?
Horton: We will know at the end of preseason camp. He can play a number of positions. He is very versatile. He has learned the system well and works hard. He takes a great deal of pride in his work. There could be a number of positions that he plays. Right now, he is working on the right side at guard and tackle.
GoPack.com: What concerns you most about the offensive line right now?Horton: We have to get together as a unit. There are such good defenses in the ACC. We have two young tackles right now, in Julian Williams and Jerrail McCuller. They are going to be good players, but they are young. They will have some growing pains. The inside guys have a little more experience.
GoPack.com: It has to be a challenge going into a season with two projected starters at the tackles who have exactly 16 snaps of college experience between them?
Horton: Especially in this league. But they are both good athletes and they both work really hard. They just have to get out in the games and play and play and play. The more reps they get, the better off they are going to be.
GoPack.com: Do you want to mention any of the other younger guys specifically?Horton: It’s probably a little early right now. We are still sorting things out. We have young guys who are still trying to learn things. So far, it has been a hot summer camp and the guys are getting a little tired. The next scrimmage will be very important for some of these guys. I hope to have some more answers this time next week. Guys are still fighting to be on the two deep, but the sooner we have it solidified, the better.
GoPack.com: You have 20 guys playing on the offensive line right now, five of which are true freshmen. Do you see any of them playing immediately?
Horton: Jake might have the opportunity, because he was here all summer and he went to prep school last year. He is actually a year older than the rest of the freshmen. He has a possibility. He is a good athlete and a tough kid. He moves very well.
GoPack.com: It is a challenge or a benefit to be working for a head coach who was a long-time offensive line coach?
Horton: Coach O’Brien pays attention to ever segment of the team. He does know the offensive line very well, which I learned when I was an graduate assistant for him at the University of Virginia. It’s really a positive. It’s like having an encyclopedia at your side. If you have a question, he is always happy to answer it. GoPack.com: What was your transition like coming from Boston to Raleigh?
Horton: It’s obviously a little different, because they are both different kind of cities. But the people have been great. Our families are getting acclimated and all the people we have dealt with so far in the athletics department have been great.
GoPack.com: I’m betting you didn’t have many 105-degree days during preseason practice in Boston.
Horton: One of the guys mentioned today in the lockerroom that they came out here for off-season conditioning in the winter and it was zero degrees. So we have had a 100-degree swing in just a couple of months. That’s a big, big difference. GoPack.com: Do you have a favorite thing about North Carolina yet?
Horton: Yes. The Wolfpack. And barbecue.
Throughout the preseason, GoPack.com will talk with each of NC State’s position coaches and coordinators about the progress of their units. If you have a question for an assistant coach, send it to tim_peeler@ncsu.edu and it may be included in the next Q&A.
