Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/104720
f o o t b a l l Staff Taking Shape Still waiting to fill three spots BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com isn���t Darrell Hazelllikesfirstdone assembling his staff at Purdue, but he the mix of what he has so far. A group that includes young up-and-comers is balanced with others with experience, he said while officially announcing six (of nine) coaches last Friday. The staff consists of defensive coordinator Greg Hudson, safeties coach Jon Heacock, linebackers coach Marcus Freeman, offensive line coach Jim Bollman, receivers coach Kevin Sherman and running backs coach Jafar Williams. Hazell still is looking to hire an offensive coordinator who also will coach quarterbacks, a defensive line coach and a tight end coach who also could be the team���s special teams coordinator. Hazell said he also will assign four other coaches specific units on special teams, and they will report to the coordinator. ���I want to when it���s all said make sure we do it and done. That���s the right way and the most imporget the right guys,��� tant thing for me Hazell said last right now.��� week, speaking to Here���s a look at local reporters for the current staff: the first time as a Greg Hudson group in West LaH u d s o n fayette since his comes to Purdue introductory press from Florida State conference. ���I���ve talked to a lot of Rivals.com where he coached linebackers but guys and I���m go- Greg Hudson is expected to run a ing to make sure base 4-3 defense with a propensity also was credited with helping I feel 100-percent to zone ���quarters��� coverage in the secondary in his first season as change the decertain of the guys Purdue���s defensive coordinator. fense from one I hire. ���The right way is getting that ranked No. 108 in total dethe right people and if it takes fense when he arrived to No. 2 another couple days, then I���ll in 2012. Hudson has defensive cotake another couple days to get those other three guys. I have a ordinator experience at East lot of names. It���s not for a lack of Carolina and Minnesota, and names. It���s making sure we get Hazell said Hudson comes out of a base 4-3 scheme and likes the right blend. ���Again, I���m taking my time to utilize ���quarters��� zone coverwith these last three or four age. Hudson will employ other hires to make sure. We���re 6-for- schemes, too, as situations call 6 right now. I want to be 9-for-9 for them. Chip English Darrell Hazell brought Marcus Freeman, left, and Jafar Williams from Kent State and considers both rising young coaches. Freeman, a former linebacker at Ohio State, will coach Purdue���s backers and Williams will be the running backs coach. ���I just love his personality and his energy and his passion for the game, and he���s so excited to be here,��� Hazell said. ���That���s what I want. I���m looking at this staff and other than having guys who are going to be great mentors and great teachers and hold our guys accountable, I want guys who are dying to be at Purdue University. That���s critically important to me right now.��� Marcus Freeman Hazell gave Freeman his first chance to be a full-time head coach when he brought him to Kent State from Ohio State. Hazell was on Ohio State���s staff while Freeman played linebacker for the Buckeyes and then moved into a graduate assistant role after his NFL career was cut short because of a heart problem. But when Hazell got the Kent job, Freeman was one of the first coaches he approached. Hazell called Freeman a ���bright star in the coaching profession��� who ���connects extremely well with the players.��� Former Kent State linebacker Luke Batton can attest to that. Batton grew up in Ohio and watched Freeman play for the Buckeyes and said Freeman���s age ��� he turned 28 on Jan. 10 ��� was important. GoldanDBlack express ��� volume 23, express 18��� ������ 22