ORONO, Maine (WABI) – There’s a couple coaches on the Maine football staff who look a lot different from their playing days.
Black Bears head coach Jordan Stevens played outside linebacker and defensive end for Maine from 2006-2009, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at him now.
“Coach Cosgrove told me when I started coaching, he said ‘you’re going to be living off of nuts and berries. We’re not going to pay you anything.’ I didn’t get paid more than $12,000 for the first three years, so that was very much true on his part (laughs). I think just naturally that kind of happened,” said Stevens.
His players enjoy learning technique from Stevens now that his career on the defensive front is done.
“I still see it in my coaches, especially Coach Stevens. He’s a high energy guy still out there. He’s always critiquing me and getting me right, whether it’s a little foot or inch. Everything about him is critique, so him growing and developing me as a player, I’m embracing it, and I’m thankful,” said Xavier Holmes, junior defensive lineman.
“I like Coach Stevens a lot. He’s real, real big on the little, small details. He makes sure we get everything right. He goes real in-depth with things to make sure that when we’re on the field, we know what we’re doing. Nothing is new to us. Nothing fazes us,” said Chris Bacon, sophomore defensive lineman.
Maine’s offensive line coach Dave Bucar has also slimmed down since his days of protecting quarterbacks.
“He doesn’t even look like he played football, no disrespect (laughs). He was a bigger guy. It’s the same with him. He’s great with his technique. Every time I see him, he’s getting the O-line sharp on the little details and being very poised with his techniques,” said Holmes.
“Coach Bucar, especially, I couldn’t imagine that. They said he was like 300 lb. at one point. I could never imagine that (laughs),” said Bacon.
For Stevens, it all comes back to setting a good example for his players.
“It’s important to stay fit. It’s important to stay healthy, especially for our players to see that you’re taking care of yourself and you’re prepared every day. I want to be a great role model for them, in that case,” said Stevens.
If he put on the pads nowadays, he might blend in with the wide receivers.
Maine is back in action on Saturday at 8 p.m. when the Black Bears try to upset the No. 3 Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman.
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Publish date : 2024-09-04 06:55:00
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