Tech Topics - Fall 2008 - (Page 50) YELLOW JACKETS Football 101: New coach Paul Johnson runs the triple option out of the “flexbone” formation, at right. In a basic play, the ball goes to one of three players (halfshaded circles in the diagram). Either the quarterback hands it off to a back, runs it himself or pitches it to a slot back. Time to Serve Talking volleyball with coach Bond Shymansky By Van Jensen T he Yellow Jackets begin their season Aug. 29 against Georgia in Athens. With an experienced team returning, coach Bond Shymansky said this year the team wants nothing less than a conference championship. Holding the Line Mike Sewak needs his young offensive linemen to make the triple option click Georgia Tech and wanted Sewak on his staff. “I was looking for the right fit,” Sewak said of why Ask new Georgia Tech offensive line coach Mike he took up Johnson’s offer. “I’ve always liked what Sewak about the triple option and he gives a simple, [Johnson] stood for and what he’s taught.” three-word explanation: line of scrimmage. It was also a return of sorts for Sewak, who spent “When you run the option, you run it right down the 1984 season on Bill Curry’s staff at Tech. More than the line,” Sewak said. “We operate with the ball right anything, though, he was drawn in by the chance to use there, so you can’t have penetration. [The offensive line] the triple option. has to knock that boy right out of there.” “I was excited for the opportunity,” Sewak said, That’s a big change from the pro-style offense “especially to see the offense on this scale again. It’s a under former head coach Chan Gailey, who put the bit of a grander stage.” quarterback in shotgun formation well behind the line But before Tech can run roughshod over the ACC, and had the offensive linemen backpedaling while its players need to learn the system, which is no simple blocking rushing defenders. feat. With the team transforming so completely Everything is new, so the team has to under new coach Paul Johnson, Sewak doesn’t repeatedly practice even the centerworry quite as much about the inexperience of quarterback exchange, since the quarterback his players — with only two-year starter will be under center this season. Andrew Gardner having played substantial And once the play begins the players minutes. won’t know exactly what’s going to happen, “In reality, we’ll have five freshmen out instead making decisions during the down there,” Sewak said. based on how the defense reacts. With so much needing to be learned in “You have to make immediate Mike Sewak such a short amount of time, the Yellow Jackets movements and you have to handle are lucky to have Sewak as a teacher. He adjustments,” Sewak said. “And then you knows the triple option cold, having spent 13 seasons as have to do it all over again.” Johnson’s assistant at Hawaii and Georgia Southern. For the offensive line, it means setting up farther After Johnson took the head-coaching job at Navy, apart than in a typical formation and blocking man-toSewak succeeded him at Georgia Southern, leading the man. On a given play, every defender should be team to a national rushing title every year and two blocked except for three, Sewak said, and it’s up to the Southern Conference championships before stepping quarterback to get the ball around them. down after the 2005 season. Sewak also made sure to note the offense’s Sewak then toured the South, he said, visiting flexibility, as some equate the option with “three yards different football programs and considering coaching and a cloud of dust.” Depending on the personnel, you opportunities. He also picked up an MBA from Georgia can throw a decent amount out of the option, he said. Southern and watched his three children play sports. Still, the goal of the offensive line will remain the Then Johnson called to say he’d taken the job at same: Knock the defenders on their butts. 50 You have five seniors on the team and two juniors. How valuable is that experience? Senior leadership and poise play a huge role in having success, especially in the big matches and the tight moments at the end of the game. They have all had mild success, but we have a common goal to win the ACC this year. What are you expecting this season from senior outside hitter Talisa Kellogg? Talisa has always had a star role on the team and usually leads us in points every match. She is a team captain and has a magnetic personality. She will be the pulse of our team this fall. Are there any players that you think could emerge as stars this season? I think [middle hitter] Callie Miller and [right-side hitter] Brittany Roderick could both emerge as stars this year. They are both explosive players and have great capabilities. What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s team? Our strengths will be our leadership and seniority. But our weaknesses will be a few new young players that will need to learn our system. If they learn quickly, they could become great assets. How challenging is the ACC this year? The ACC is always tough. But we are always contending for the title. Our goal is always the same: Win it! By Van Jensen TechTopics | Fall 2008
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