GBI Express

Cerebral coordinator brings different approach to defense COACHES VIEW : TIM TIBESAR SClardie@GoldandBlack.com BY STACY CLARDIE coordinator in January, Coach Dan- ny Hope has raved about Tibesar's intelligence and him being on the "cutting edge of the science of foot- ball. From the moment Tim Tibesar was hired as Purdue's defensive " with a focus on academics. The foot- ball part simply grew on him. Tibesar recently answered ques- 'Cutting Edge of Science of Football' You were a pretty good linebacker, an Associated Press "Little" All-Amer- ican, at North Da- kota. Turns out, Tibesar was raised tions from Gold & Black for our Coaches' View feature. Minnesota, so were you a hockey guy? Tibesar: "Absolutely. I come Gold & Black: You grew up in from a hockey family. I played hock- ey all the way through high school. Probably up until my junior year in high school, I would have swore that I was going to play hockey in college. My dad played hockey in college and my brother, who is a year younger, played hockey in college. " ally blessed to get a bunch of scholar- ship opportunities to play football. So I had more opportunities to play foot- Gold & Black: So what changed? Tibesar: "I was fortunate and re- an OK career, yes. (Smiles)" Tibesar: "I had What made you a good player? Tibesar: "The Gold & Black: one thing I did re- ally well was I stud- ied a lot. I was one of Football may not have been Tim Tibesar's first love — grow- ing up in Minnesota, it was hockey — but Purdue's defensive coordinator has developed a passion for the sport he's made a career. ball than I did hockey and by the time that rolled around my senior year, I was passionate about both sports." Tom Campbell on game day." junkies, even way back then. I would clamor in and watch film until late at night, come in ear- ly, between classes and keep studying, trying to find ten- dencies and trying to find something that could get me an edge on the field those football Gold & Black: 4.0 student, we've heard. Is that cor- rect?Tibesar: "As far as the witness protection program said, yes, 4.0. (Laughs)" Gold & Black: You also were a my family, you did well in school. That was the standard. I have an old- er sister who played college sports. She was the salutatorian of her (high school) class. Then actually the next three of us were valedictorians of our high school classes. It was just always: you played sports and you did well in school. I was fortunate to be able to continue that in college. I found an academic area that I liked, which was business econom- ics, so I was able to do well enough in that and the professors seemed to like my work, I guess. (Smiles)" accomplishment when you're also an athlete. Was it tough? Tibesar: "I was fortunate. (In) Gold & Black: That's quite an What were you plan- ning on doing with that degree? Did you know Gold & Black: GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • volume 23, express 1 • 21 you wanted to be a coach at that point? Tibesar: "I had no idea I wanted to be a coach probably until heading into the spring before my senior year of playing. I was focused on a busi- ness degree and that's what I thought I wanted to do. Even at that point in time, I had been a decent player but I knew the prospects of me going on to play in the National Football League were very, very slim. I just couldn't see myself completely step- ping away from the game. I had such a great experience as a player. I really enjoyed my time as a player, and I didn't want to lose my connection to the game. So I kind of saw two career paths opening up before me, and that was either to go into business and become a volunteer coach at a high Introducing ... GoldandBlack.com mobile App For the Android and iPhone at the Google Play Store and App Store

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