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Y! MyWebNew UD football coach ready for the sidelines
Monday, August 18, 2008
DAYTON — First-year University of Dayton football coach Rick Chamberlin knows his team will have to make some adjustments being on the visitors' sidelines for the season-opener at Welcome Stadium, but Chamberlin will have to do some adapting, too.
Through 29 years as an assistant at UD, including 15 as defensive coordinator, the former All-American linebacker has been perched in a coach's booth in the press box for games. But taking on a new role means Chamberlin will have to view the action from field level, beginning with the fourth-annual Dayton Classic at 5 p.m. Aug. 31.
UD's opponent will be Central State. And although that game will be played on the Flyers' home turf, the Marauders will be the home team.
"I've been a press box guy my whole career. I've loved it because you can see so much of the field from a defensive standpoint," Chamberlin said. "I told Tony Caruso, our equipment man, 'Make sure you order some rain gear for me,' because I've never had to worry about it before.
"I just hope I'm still quick enough to get out of the way (of oncoming players) on the sidelines."
The Flyers return two starters on offense, and one likely won't be available for the opener.
Ryan Pollock, a senior offensive tackle from West Chester Twp., fractured his foot last week and will undergo surgery to have a pin inserted today. He's expected to be out three to four weeks.
"It's tough, but I'm trying to stay positive," Pollock said. "My goal is to be back for (the second game against) Fordham. I think Central State will be pushing it."
Eric Studt, a sophomore from Bethel Park, Pa., and Dan Prindle, a redshirt freshman from Carroll High School, are battling to replace Pollock.
Star defensive end Scott Vossler has missed several practices because of a strained knee, but he's expected to return to action by the middle of the week.
