Search
Q&A with Shane Burnham
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-06-27
There is more to the Iowa State football program than coach Paul Rhoads and the players in uniform. Assistant coaches can have as much to do with the program’s success as anyone else.
This is the fifth in a series of interviews throughout the summer with ISU assistant coaches dealing with their lives on and off the field. Defensive tackles coach Shane Burnham sat down with the Tribune and discussed selling pharmaceuticals, being on crutches and why defensive linemen need a good motor.
Q: You recently had surgery to fix an old leg injury. How does being on crutches change what you do with recruiting?
A: We timed it up and wanted to wait until I came off the road. With the way the rules are right now it’s been great. When everyone has been getting a workout at lunch I’m kind of tied to my desk and I can sneak an extra call or an extra note in so it’s a lot of time on the couch. At home I’m able to make calls and right notes and get online and get a little bit extra done.
Q: What drew you into coaching?
A: I coached for a year at the University of Richmond. I got out and sold pharmaceuticals for two years. What got me back into it was it was a job selling pharmaceuticals. We work long hours (as coaches), but I love it. I tell the guys I get to come sit here and talk football and watch football. I love it. I have such a passion for the game.
Q: What is the most important trait for defensive line success?
A: The biggest thing of a defensive lineman is relentless effort. I think so many times you watch a game on TV and you see a guy make a play on a second effort. His first move doesn’t win, but his second move wins or a guy maybe gets blocked and is chasing the ball so hard. I tell my guys every day if you pursue the football good things will happen. If you run to the football good things will happen.
Q: How has your life changed since your daughter Lindsay was born this winter?
A: Since getting the surgery I don’t really have to get out of bed. That’s been nice. We got a good deal. I get out of bed, pick her up, change her diaper and drop her off in bed and my wife feeds her and puts her down. Life changed now. Before it would have been go play golf with the guys and now it’s I’m going to hustle home and I value my time at home a little more now.
Q: What did you learn about the defensive line in spring ball?
A: Their knowledge of the game is more than I thought it would be. They played in several different schemes because they’ve had two different staffs prior to us so I think they have a pretty good understanding of conceptualizing and schematically understanding football and what we are trying to teach. That would be my biggest surprise and the biggest thing we have to overcome is being much more technically sound. Football is hands. Interior line play on both sides is hands. That is where we have to make up the most ground, being really violent and technically sound with our hands.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-06-27
Shane Burnham is the defensive tackles coach for the Iowa State football team.
Tribune File Photo
Tribune File Photo
There is more to the Iowa State football program than coach Paul Rhoads and the players in uniform. Assistant coaches can have as much to do with the program’s success as anyone else.
This is the fifth in a series of interviews throughout the summer with ISU assistant coaches dealing with their lives on and off the field. Defensive tackles coach Shane Burnham sat down with the Tribune and discussed selling pharmaceuticals, being on crutches and why defensive linemen need a good motor.
Q: You recently had surgery to fix an old leg injury. How does being on crutches change what you do with recruiting?
A: We timed it up and wanted to wait until I came off the road. With the way the rules are right now it’s been great. When everyone has been getting a workout at lunch I’m kind of tied to my desk and I can sneak an extra call or an extra note in so it’s a lot of time on the couch. At home I’m able to make calls and right notes and get online and get a little bit extra done.
Q: What drew you into coaching?
A: I coached for a year at the University of Richmond. I got out and sold pharmaceuticals for two years. What got me back into it was it was a job selling pharmaceuticals. We work long hours (as coaches), but I love it. I tell the guys I get to come sit here and talk football and watch football. I love it. I have such a passion for the game.
Q: What is the most important trait for defensive line success?
A: The biggest thing of a defensive lineman is relentless effort. I think so many times you watch a game on TV and you see a guy make a play on a second effort. His first move doesn’t win, but his second move wins or a guy maybe gets blocked and is chasing the ball so hard. I tell my guys every day if you pursue the football good things will happen. If you run to the football good things will happen.
Q: How has your life changed since your daughter Lindsay was born this winter?
A: Since getting the surgery I don’t really have to get out of bed. That’s been nice. We got a good deal. I get out of bed, pick her up, change her diaper and drop her off in bed and my wife feeds her and puts her down. Life changed now. Before it would have been go play golf with the guys and now it’s I’m going to hustle home and I value my time at home a little more now.
Q: What did you learn about the defensive line in spring ball?
A: Their knowledge of the game is more than I thought it would be. They played in several different schemes because they’ve had two different staffs prior to us so I think they have a pretty good understanding of conceptualizing and schematically understanding football and what we are trying to teach. That would be my biggest surprise and the biggest thing we have to overcome is being much more technically sound. Football is hands. Interior line play on both sides is hands. That is where we have to make up the most ground, being really violent and technically sound with our hands.
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
| Comments |
|
We welcome comments on all sides of all issues. We want our comment forums to be a respectful, comfortable place for people of all opinions to discuss topics of interest. Toward that end, we will not approve comments that contain profanity, obscenity, libel, name-calling, or personal attack. We reserve the right to disapprove any comment for any reason.
|