With this alongside the information gathered by myself and Trace, I think it's pretty safe to say he's coming:
So, here's some info on our prospective/potential DB coach.
Gerald Alexander
Age: 32
Coaching/Intern Experience: 4 years (Arkansas State (GA), Washington (GA), Indiana State, Montana State)
- Has been a member of two separate Minority Internships with two different NFL teams – Tennessee and Tampa Bay
- Played under Justin Wilcox at Boise State
- Coached two All-Conference defensive backs; one at MSU, one at Indiana State
- Recruits LA County/Bakersfield for MSU
- Fun fact: Byron Hout, he of the LaGarrette Blount punch in the face incident also is on the MSU staff.
- Some numbers/#chartz
Testimonial/Quotes:
Hiring press release by MSU:
"Gerald was an important part of the Boise State's first Fiesta Bowl team," Choate (MSU head coach) said. "He was a team captain and a leader. He was drafted by the Lions and had a very good NFL career cut short by an injury. I worked with Gerald at Washington in 2014 and it became obvious to me then that he's going to become a superstar in the coaching profession. His energy and knowledge and enthusiasm are second to none."
Alexander preps for NFL internship: http://msubobcats.com/news/2016/6/1...erald-alexander-preps-for-nfl-internship.aspx
Already well-traveled at this early stage in his coaching career, Alexander said that has exposed him to a wide range of positive influences. Since his NFL career ended, he has worked as a volunteer high school coach, as a graduate assistant at Washington and Arkansas State, and as secondary coach at Indiana State.
"My experience at Washington with (UW secondary coach) Jimmy Lake, the way he teaches technique, the clear and concise way he delivers information," Alexander said, "and my experience as a player with the different coaches I've been around, that has really molded my coaching philosophy. Now working with the new DB coach at Tampa Bay (Brett Maxie), that's why opportunities like this are important."
16 minute press conference from MSU (2016)
Highlights:
- Emphasizes efficiency in movement as a secondary and guys knowing “why” they are doing things (where their help is, etc; not just own jobs)
- Prefers single unit DB versus split coaches for DBs for chemistry/understanding
- Herniated disk suffered his second year changed career trajectory for him, never caught on again
- Knew he wanted to coach when he was at a tryout with the Cowboys but found himself more worried about the Rancho Cucamonga playoff game where he was a volunteer coach – they won! (7:00)
- Technique oriented; mentions “foundation of movement”, footwork and technique several times.
- NFL career isn’t something he leans on; sees his job as to be a great teacher and coach and a carer of young men.
- “Recruiting is the lifeblood of the program”
Implications of hire
Cal can’t afford for everybody to be high-paid, proven talent, so you can see this Alexander hire as another one in the Edwards vein – somebody younger, somebody with a coaching career that’s still filling out, but might end up being a strong recruiter for that reason. Again, when you’re strapped for cash, this is a solid route to go. (Would I have preferred some of the other names being whispered? Based off resumes and relative production at this point, yeah. But Wilcox deserves the benefit of the doubt so far, and he mans the defense himself, so I have reason to believe he knew what he was doing here.)
What worries me a little here is that unlike Edwards, Alexander doesn’t yet have a ton of chops at the coaching level, and hasn’t really produced convincing results either way, based on the data I put together. We’ll have to wait and see with him, since he’s only had one year stops at school to school.
However, his interview did help to sell me on him a little more. He seems to have a confident, clear vision of what he wants from that unit, and is a pretty eloquent communicator, too. How that translates to the FBS level, again, we’ll have to see. This might be the most questionable hire in the bunch so far, but staff for staff, still fairly solid compared to Dykes’.
So, here's some info on our prospective/potential DB coach.
Gerald Alexander
Age: 32
Coaching/Intern Experience: 4 years (Arkansas State (GA), Washington (GA), Indiana State, Montana State)
- Former NFL player for 8 years; 2nd round draft pick- Has been a member of two separate Minority Internships with two different NFL teams – Tennessee and Tampa Bay
- Played under Justin Wilcox at Boise State
- Coached two All-Conference defensive backs; one at MSU, one at Indiana State
- Recruits LA County/Bakersfield for MSU
- Fun fact: Byron Hout, he of the LaGarrette Blount punch in the face incident also is on the MSU staff.
- Some numbers/#chartz
Testimonial/Quotes:
Hiring press release by MSU:
"Gerald was an important part of the Boise State's first Fiesta Bowl team," Choate (MSU head coach) said. "He was a team captain and a leader. He was drafted by the Lions and had a very good NFL career cut short by an injury. I worked with Gerald at Washington in 2014 and it became obvious to me then that he's going to become a superstar in the coaching profession. His energy and knowledge and enthusiasm are second to none."
Alexander preps for NFL internship: http://msubobcats.com/news/2016/6/1...erald-alexander-preps-for-nfl-internship.aspx
Already well-traveled at this early stage in his coaching career, Alexander said that has exposed him to a wide range of positive influences. Since his NFL career ended, he has worked as a volunteer high school coach, as a graduate assistant at Washington and Arkansas State, and as secondary coach at Indiana State.
"My experience at Washington with (UW secondary coach) Jimmy Lake, the way he teaches technique, the clear and concise way he delivers information," Alexander said, "and my experience as a player with the different coaches I've been around, that has really molded my coaching philosophy. Now working with the new DB coach at Tampa Bay (Brett Maxie), that's why opportunities like this are important."
16 minute press conference from MSU (2016)
Highlights:
- Emphasizes efficiency in movement as a secondary and guys knowing “why” they are doing things (where their help is, etc; not just own jobs)
- Prefers single unit DB versus split coaches for DBs for chemistry/understanding
- Herniated disk suffered his second year changed career trajectory for him, never caught on again
- Knew he wanted to coach when he was at a tryout with the Cowboys but found himself more worried about the Rancho Cucamonga playoff game where he was a volunteer coach – they won! (7:00)
- Technique oriented; mentions “foundation of movement”, footwork and technique several times.
- NFL career isn’t something he leans on; sees his job as to be a great teacher and coach and a carer of young men.
- “Recruiting is the lifeblood of the program”
Implications of hire
Cal can’t afford for everybody to be high-paid, proven talent, so you can see this Alexander hire as another one in the Edwards vein – somebody younger, somebody with a coaching career that’s still filling out, but might end up being a strong recruiter for that reason. Again, when you’re strapped for cash, this is a solid route to go. (Would I have preferred some of the other names being whispered? Based off resumes and relative production at this point, yeah. But Wilcox deserves the benefit of the doubt so far, and he mans the defense himself, so I have reason to believe he knew what he was doing here.)
What worries me a little here is that unlike Edwards, Alexander doesn’t yet have a ton of chops at the coaching level, and hasn’t really produced convincing results either way, based on the data I put together. We’ll have to wait and see with him, since he’s only had one year stops at school to school.
However, his interview did help to sell me on him a little more. He seems to have a confident, clear vision of what he wants from that unit, and is a pretty eloquent communicator, too. How that translates to the FBS level, again, we’ll have to see. This might be the most questionable hire in the bunch so far, but staff for staff, still fairly solid compared to Dykes’.
