North Carolina State University Athletics
Preseason Q&A: Linebackers Coach Andy McCollum
8/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
New assistant linebackers coach Andy McCollum knows the kind of obstacles Tom O’Brien faces every day as NC State’s new head football coach. McCollum spent seven years as a head coach at Middle Tennessee State, filling the shoes of a college football CEO and answering for everything that went right and wrong with his program.
Now, after spending one year as a scout for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, McCollum is excited about his return to college football coaching so, he says, “I can have some fun again.”But McCollum, a four-year starter as an offensive guard and tight end at Austin Peay State, has his work cut out for him this preseason: The Wolfpack lost two-thirds of its starting linebackers from last season, Pat Lowery and Reggie Davis and is looking to fill holes in the starting lineup and in its reserve unit. McCollum has four seniors to call on and a host of young players waiting for their turn to produce.
If the Wolfpack is going to be successful on defense, this least experienced segment of the program is going to have to grow up in a hurry. McCollum talked about the prospects for the linebackers with GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler. GoPack.com: You have four seniors at linebacker and a bunch of inexperienced younger guys. What are your thoughts now nine days into spring practice about your linebacking corps?
McCollum: We have some older guys four seniors who have played in some games. We also have a good young players behind them. Every day is important for these guys. Fundamentals are important for these guys. As far as their work ethic right now, they are trying to do everything we ask them to do. GoPack.com: Could it be a good situation that you have four seniors and a bunch of young guys behind them to get you through a transition year?
McCollum: We just need to build more depth at that position as we go along through the recruiting process. Right now for the seniors, it’s all about buying into our program and it’s all about trust. Those guys are trying to improve every day and that’s all you can ask for as a coach. The Number 1 thing that Coach O’Brien is going to demand and that I am going to demand is that they are going to have a tremendous work ethic and they are going to do the little things right and do their job within our scheme.
GoPack.com: Talk about the setup of what you want your linebackers to do.McCollum: The middle backer’s responsibilities are a lot different. Everything happens a lot faster in there. The outside guys have to play both in the box and in space. The Number 1 thing we are going to be is physical. They have to do their jobs. The key to good linebacker play is getting off blocks and making tackles. The worst thing that can happen to a defense is missed tackles and missed assignments. Those are two things we work on every day.
GoPack.com: Who playing the three linebacker spots right now?McCollum: The Mikes (middle linebackers) are James Martin II, Ray Michel and Guerlin Dervil. The Sams (strongside linebackers) are LeRue Rumph, Nate Irving and Audie Cole. The Wills (weakside linebackers) are Ernest Jones, John Ware and Thomas Barnes. The second group is very energetic. All of them have good motors. All of them are very eager to learn every day. I have been very pleased with them.
GoPack.com: How did you get hooked up with Coach O’Brien?McCollum: Kind of from the outside in. When I was a head football coach at Middle Tennessee State I met him once or twice. I really didn’t have a relationship with him other than having a lot of respect for what he has been able to do. Everyone who was a Division I head coach was aware of the job that they did and how they were able to do it at Boston College. When this opportunity came, it gave me the chance to work with someone who has had a lot of success.
GoPack.com: What do you bring to the table as an assistant after being a Division I-A head coach?McCollum: I think one of the things you learn is to demand loyalty from your staff. One of the things that caught my attention to this opportunity is that so many of Coach O’Brien’s coaches came with him from Boston College. That makes a great statement about your head coach. It says a lot about him and the way he does his job and the loyalty his coaches have to him. It’s also an opportunity to get back on the field, coach my position and have some fun again. I also know, when I look down at the end of the table, what he has to deal with on a daily basis.
GoPack.com: So what was it like playing your entire college career with people yelling “Let’s go Peay!”McCollum: My first year at Peay, we were everybody’s homecoming opponent. When we would go on the road, someone would always be having a parade and all the floats would look like urinals. But we won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship my first year (1977) and we weren’t the Homecoming opponent for anyone after that.
If you have a question for an assistant coach e-mail it to tim_peeler@ncsu.edu and it may be used in an upcoming preseason Q&A.
