MSU hired a former Drake standout to coach its tight ends
Photo by: Mike Bashor
Former Ash Protege' Joins MSU Staff
4/1/2011 5:09:43 PM | Football
Bobcats land tight ends coach from BCS National Champs
Rob Ash went to what he knows best Friday, hiring former Drake standout Erik Link to coach Bobcat tight ends. And while stopping short of calling it an even exchange for departed coach Dale Ploessl, MSU's fifth-year head coach was quick to point out the similarities.
“Erik played for me at Drake,” Ash said, “and he started his coaching career at Drake before gaining some quality experience at the FBS level, like Dale. Erik is not nearly as experienced as Dale, but he played offensive line and gained experience coaching the defensive line, while Dale played defensive line and ended up coaching on offense. I think that gives coaches good insight.”
Link concluded his playing career at Drake in 2003, graduating the next spring. He worked for Ash as a graduate assistant that fall and was elevated to assistant coach the next season. In 2006 he joined Dan McCarney's Iowa State staff as an offensive graduate assistant, moved to a football operations position during Gene Chizik's year at ISU in 2007, and remained in that position under Paul Rhoads after Chizik left for Auburn.
In 2009, Link worked as offensive line coach and teacher at Keller (Tex.) High School. Last fall, he returned to college coaching with Chizik, working in football operations at Auburn for the Tigers' BCS National Championship.
“Erik's very passionate about the game of football,” Ash said. “He's always wanted to coach and work as an educator. He's smart, organized, disciplined, and he picks things up very quickly. The players really liked him when he worked for me. He's a great technician with experience on both sides of the ball.”
Link is expected to arrive in Bozeman next week.
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
