Brandon North as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin
Bobcat Assistant Faces Former School Today
9/15/2012 9:41:00 AM | Football
Brandon North 'excited' for matchup with alma mater
It may not have the same cache' as Rob Ash returning to the program he built from the ground up, but Montana State secondary coach Brandon North faces his alma mater Saturday when the Bobcats battle Stephen F. Austin.
North coached at SFA as recently as two seasons ago, and admittedly had a different feeling in preparing for this week's game. “I am very excited about playing my former school,” North said. “I played there and had the privilege to start my coaching career there, as well.”
But a bigger question remain: Do coaches more familiar with the opponents' style than usual hold an advantage? Ash feels that's the case, at least in some areas. “Knowing personnel and players' tendencies, that might be an edge,” he said. “'Hey, coach likes to go short three times then try a long one,' or, 'This player really likes to do this in certain situations.'”
North feels he has utilized his familiarity with SFA football this week. “I do feel that my knowledge of the program assists in our prep for this team,” he said. “Our coaching staff has done an outstanding job studying and preparing our team for this challenge.”
North's role in today's game as assistant MSU secondary coach is heightened by Stephen F. Austin's offensive philosophy, which uses the forward pass – and some sideways ones – to an inordinate degree. “Due to their offensive philosophy, this is a grea tchallenge for our defense, specifically in the secondary, to try to slow the passing attack down.”
As Ash indicated, personnel is another area a recently-transitioned coach can impact a game plan. “I had the opportunity to coach some of the players on their team,” North said, “so that will be exciting to be on the other side and coach against them. Our players and coaches are excited about accepting this challenge”
North coached at SFA as recently as two seasons ago, and admittedly had a different feeling in preparing for this week's game. “I am very excited about playing my former school,” North said. “I played there and had the privilege to start my coaching career there, as well.”
But a bigger question remain: Do coaches more familiar with the opponents' style than usual hold an advantage? Ash feels that's the case, at least in some areas. “Knowing personnel and players' tendencies, that might be an edge,” he said. “'Hey, coach likes to go short three times then try a long one,' or, 'This player really likes to do this in certain situations.'”
North feels he has utilized his familiarity with SFA football this week. “I do feel that my knowledge of the program assists in our prep for this team,” he said. “Our coaching staff has done an outstanding job studying and preparing our team for this challenge.”
North's role in today's game as assistant MSU secondary coach is heightened by Stephen F. Austin's offensive philosophy, which uses the forward pass – and some sideways ones – to an inordinate degree. “Due to their offensive philosophy, this is a grea tchallenge for our defense, specifically in the secondary, to try to slow the passing attack down.”
As Ash indicated, personnel is another area a recently-transitioned coach can impact a game plan. “I had the opportunity to coach some of the players on their team,” North said, “so that will be exciting to be on the other side and coach against them. Our players and coaches are excited about accepting this challenge”
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