Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

from Moseley's blog:
http://blogs.registerguard.com/cms/inde ... e-emerges/

"The leading candidate to replace outgoing defensive line coach Michael Gray could be Marshall assistant Jerry Azzinaro"

"Azzinaro was recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach from 1999 to 2003 at Syracuse, where he developed NFL All-Pro end Dwight Freeney"

Here's an article about him from The Charleston Gazette

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200804230850

Azzinaro, like Snyder, said MU fans shouldn't get too caught up in the 3-4 defensive alignment.

"I think in this day and age it's all about spacing,'' said the line coach. "The offense spaces itself across the field. You have to space across the field. If that allows [MU's defense] to play with four down linemen, we'll play with four. If we're forced to go to three down linemen, we'll do that too.''

I like him and seeing his production with Freeney is encouraging. Gotta like his quotes about experimenting on the D-Line too!

I didn't read the article and don't know anything about any other guys he's recurited and/or developed, but is it really that impressive that he worked with Freeney? That's one guy in a 20+ year career.

alabamaduck wrote:I didn't read the article and don't know anything about any other guys he's recurited and/or developed, but is it really that impressive that he worked with Freeney? That's one guy in a 20+ year career.

It is impressive, but it's not by itself worthy of being our d-line coach. I think it just keeps getting brought up because it's notable. I'm sure the coaches like him for other reasons than just that.

Like I said, I don't know anything else about him and I'm sure he's qualified or we wouldn't be looking at him

http://herdzone.cstv.com/sports/m-footb ... rry00.html

Azzinaro coached the defensive line at the University of New Hampshire last season, after he served as the defensive coordinator at Duke University from 2004 to 2006. He was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Syracuse University from 1999-2003, where he worked with current Marshall defensive coordinator Steve Dunlap.


His other coaching stops include serving as the defensive coordinator at the University of Massachusetts in 1994 and again from 1997-98, coaching the defensive line at Boston College (1995-96), coaching linebackers and serving as recruiting coordinator at UMass (1992-93), serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at American International (1987-91) and serving as head coach at Division III Western New England College in 1986. He started his coaching career in 1982 as a graduate assistant coach at American International.


Azzinaro has coached multiple players that have gone on to the NFL, among them are All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney and starting defensive end Josh Thomas of the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts.

We sure are pushing hard for more East Coast ties.

This might be one reason Jerry Azzinaro is interesded in this position.

"Marshall has lost its second assistant football coach of the offseason, as safeties coach Shannon Morrison accepted a job as co-defensive coordinator at Bowling Green.
Morrison follows cornerback coach Paul Nichols, who accepted a similar job at BG rival Toledo. And that might not be all - defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro is reportedly talking to Oregon about a position there."
http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200901210866