North Carolina State University Athletics
Preseason Q&A: Running Backs Coach Jason Swepson
8/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
One of the things that impressed Tom O’Brien when he asked his Boston College assistants to come with him to NC State was that three BC graduates chose to leave their alma mater to help coach the Wolfpack. One of them is new running backs coach Jason Swepson, who played for the Eagles and spent the last seven years on O’Brien’s staff in Boston.
Swepson, a native of Seekonk, Mass., inherited one of the most solid positions on NC State’s offense, with juniors Andre Brown and Toney Baker and sophomore Jamelle Eugene. He also has three candidates for the starting fullback job, with Pat Bedics, John Kane and Ced Hickman. Throughout the preseason, leading up to NC State’s season opener against Central Florida, GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler will talk each of the new Wolfpack assistant coaches and coordinators about the players under their charge and about their transition to NC State.
GoPack.com: In your eight months here, through spring practice and leading into the start of fall practice, what have you learned about your three tailbacks: Andre Brown, Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene?
Swepson: They are very talented. They work extremely hard. They are very coachable. They want to win. I am excited to be their coach. They are going to run ball a lot more a year ago. Hopefully, they will carry us to victories
GoPack.com: How much did you know about them coming into the fall practice?
Swepson: When we played against them last year, they both had two great runs. I remember Andre had a touchdown run that was very special. I remember Toney had a long run down the right sideline. I remember thinking Wow.’. GoPack.com: Everyone expects those three guys to carry the ball a lot. How will the fullbacks be used in this offense? Swepson: Coach O’Brien’s offense is based on a power running game, we base everything on being physical up on the line and being physical with the fullback position and running the ball between the tackles. The three fullbacks we have now -- Pat Bedics, John Kane and Ced Hickman they all know what their role is going to be. They are going to be hammerheads. They are going to pound the linebackers and pick up blitzes. But they also know they have to be athletic enough to go out into the flat and catch the ball. GoPack.com: Do they understand their role is not to break down the sidelines and outrun everyone to the end zone? Swepson: Well, in my eight years at Boston College, I can’t recall a fullback carrying the football. I don’t know if that is going to change. We will see. But they know what their role is: they have to block, they have to be physical and they have to catch the football. GoPack.com: What do you want both the halfbacks and fullbacks to contribute to the passing game? Swepson: Hopefully, we can catch a lot of balls at those two positions. They are definitely incorporated into the passing game. They will be split out at times with the wide receivers, both halfback and fullback. They have to be able to catch the football. GoPack.com: What is your comfort level being here in Raleigh now? Swepson: We are finally getting settled. We finally sold our house up north and are looking for a house down here. My family is excited. I am excited. I think the whole staff is excited about being down here. GoPack.com: You have a great Boston accent, but I am wondering if you are having trouble communicating with anyone down here? Swepson: When people up north ask me what the biggest transition has been coming down here. I tell them that the people here don’t understand me and I don’t understand them. But I am working on my Southern twang as much as I can. GoPack.com: Have you found a place for good clam chowder down here yet? Swepson: I am still looking. But I will tell you that the barbecue is something special. GoPack.com: Just a few final thoughts about what you expect out of the running back position this season. Swepson: I expect a good year. Hopefully, if we do it right and things bounce our way, we are going to be successful. We are going to play sound, disciplined football. We are going to do it the right way. Got a question for a coach? Send it to Tim Peeler at tim_peeler.com and it may be included in future Q&As with position coaches.
