In the eyes of an 18-year-old, 19-year-old or early 20-something, a resumé can speak volumes.
That could wind up being the case for first-year UNLV defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who made his presence known last spring following an 10-year run as an assistant with five different NFL teams.
“Obviously, you get instant respect because of guys you’ve coached,” Patterson said of a list that includes John Randle, Ebenezer Ekuban and Courtney Brown. “I’ve learned from them as well as them learning from me, and to be able to go and share that knowledge with these guys."
Patterson has a wealth of tapes to show what's worked for those big names he's coached in the past. As for hands-on coaching, his tactics have already become popular among the Rebels he works with daily.
He also knows better than to simply show up and name-drop guys who he's coached. That's where the tape library comes in handy.
"That means nothing," Patterson said. "I want them to be able to look at it, see it, and see how it helped them, that professional player, and then be able to say ‘Hey, I want to add that to my game.’"
Thursday, in the team's first practice of the year as a full squad, the defensive linemen busted out boxing gloves, working on hitting techniques with one another that simulated the power used in actual game situations.
From there, it was on to a solo sled of Patterson's design, equipped with 'arms' so linemen can work on a variety of moves.
"He calls that his baby," said senior Jacob Hales. "It's got arms on it, they actually had to make it for him."
Hales is one of the linemen Patterson pointed out as having bought into his system beginning last spring. The overall enthusiasm he saw then, and sees now in the first week of fall practices, has been more than encouraging.
"I just kind of use the analogy, like Christmas Day when you're a kid, and you've got those new toys, and the anticipation of getting them and the excitement ... it's kind of been that way," Patterson said. "And it's stayed that way."
The hope for the Rebels is that it carries over into the start of the regular season, as UNLV comes off a season in which it ranked seventh in the Mountain West Conference in run defense, surrendering 183.6 yards per game.
Speaking of Pattersons ...
Walking around practice this week at times has been Patterson's 16-year-old son, A.C.
The younger Patterson may be a name to remember. Last year, attending Regis High in suburban Denver, A.C. became the first ninth grader to start on the varsity level at the school, starting at center on a playoff-bound squad. He will compete for playing time on the offensive line this season for the defending state champion Gaels.
As for Hales ...
The senior was happy to report that his paper/presentation the other day, which required him to leave morning practice a few minutes early, went beyond well. It was his final course requirement at UNLV.
"I know more about Spanish teaching than they do, so it was all right," Hales joked. "The presentation was good, went in there, told them about the spanish internship, teaching English as a Second Language."
That frees up the 26-year-old for the upcoming season to focus on nothing but, you guessed it, football. He emerged in the spring as the soul of the Rebels' defense, and has been just as vocal and animated this week in practice.
After this season, though?
"No plans, really - I'll get a job doing something somewhere, maybe be a fireman or something," he said with a laugh. "Maybe border patrol."
Day two sans Pointer
Redshirt freshman Will Chandler saw most of the reps in Quinton Pointer's spot during 11-on-11 drills Thursday morning. UNLV head coach Mike Sanford, though, said nothing is decided in terms of who will fill Pointer's spot at cornerback should he miss any game action.
Pointer dislocated his left elbow on a collision in 7-on-7 Wednesday morning, but with no broken bones or torn ligaments, he'll miss 2-4 weeks, making him a 'maybe' for the Aug. 30 opener against Utah State.
Also vying for his spot playing opposite of Geoff Howard are - in no particular order - junior Ryan Tillman, senior Lorenzo Bursey and junior Lafayette Fletcher.
Play of the day
Junior linebacker Wiselet Rouzard made his presence felt during 11-on-11 drills towards the end of Thursday's session. He shot forward, jumping a route and picking off Omar Clayton before sauntering into the end zone.
Sweet 'stache
Sanford is now going on a few days without shaving the ol' upper lip, and a 70s-style mustache is beginning to show.
The fourth-year coach said he's doing it in honor of his offensive linemen for their hard work so far in preparing for the season. He said the o-line approached him with the idea after spotting some old photos of Sanford.
"The only thing is it's a lot more gray than it used to be," he joked.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy