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c o v e r s t o r y : d a r r e l l h a z e l l More Than A Coach Character, integrity, relationships define Hazell BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com wise. That on top of the fact that he's such a good Early indications person makes him the perfect guy for those types of Darrell Hazell had what he figured would be his conversations and those types of relationships. only exposure to coaching while in high school. nthony Gonzalez wasn't sure how Darrell "He doesn't seem to be one for vapid relationHe was tasked to take charge of a powder puff Hazell remembered. ships. He's much more about deep relationships that football game — an event that does a role reversal But when Gonzalez peeked at the letter of rec- are rich and meaningful to both people." with girls playing and guys doing the cheerleading ommendation Hazell had written him for graduate It'd seem, then, that Morgan Burke landed quite — and did not have a good experience. school at Stanford, Gonzalez was in awe. the catch when he chose Hazell as Purdue's 35th "All the girls, they wouldn't do anything for me, The character-driven letter detailed a story from football coach on Dec. 5. so I said, 'I'm never coaching a day in my life,'" Haseven years prior, dead-on with details that even zell said. Gonzalez didn't recall He didn't waver until being reminded. from that mindIt didn't surprise set, even when he Gonzalez, though. was getting ready Since Gonzalez to graduate from was a redshirt freshMuskingum Uniman at Ohio State versity, a small and first met Hazell, Division III school he'd known Hazell in New Concord, was special. Ohio. Hazell had masDidn't matter tered the balance. that he'd become He was a hardone of the school's nosed, highly demandbest receivers, seting, wealth-of-knowlting still-existing edge football coach, a program records testament to why Gonin career catches zalez was a first-round (132) and yards selection in the NFL (1,966) and being Draft in 2007. named an All-Amer"Everything I ican as a senior. know about playAs a communiing wide receiver cation and business from my four years major, he already at Ohio State and had lined up a coumy five years in at Tom Campbell ple job offers. NFL, I didn't learn Declared a man of high character and integrity by those who know him best, Darrell Hazell has been charged to lead But Jeff Heacock anything new after Purdue's program back to being a contender in the Big Ten and to do it the right way. had other ideas. leaving Coach Hazell. As Hazell's Everything I learned, I coach at Muskinglearned from Coach Hazell," Gonzalez said. It'd seem that Burke delivered on his core ingre- um, Heacock saw all the characteristics he thought But Hazell was more. dients, landing a man of integrity, character, full of would make Hazell an excellent coach. He was a mentor, father figure, confidante. He passion, poised to attack challenges and who will do He was intelligent, self-disciplined and goal-oriwas a man players bared their souls to because they things the right way in returning the Boilermakers ented. He had a tremendous attention to detail. He felt safe. They could be vulnerable because he'd lis- to a Big Ten contender. was self-motivated and then worked to accomplish ten without judgment. They trusted him implicitly. It'd seem that Hazell is the right man at the right the goals he set. He was a tremendous leader among He was a coach, yes. But equally as impressive time for Purdue. his peers, using both good communication skills and was the way Hazell built relationships that lasted "Once people get to know him, what they will even- showcasing an insatiable work ethic to follow. long after he filled the former role. tually see is an incredibly hard working, humble, good "Those were some of the things I really felt like if "He relates to players incredibly well," Gonzalez person. His character is so high, it's ridiculous," Gonhe would take those into coaching, he would be really said. "He can find a way to connect with all of his zalez said. "That goes a long way. The way that college successful," Heacock said. players in meaningful ways. Some people just have football is with the different scandals over the years, Heacock had gotten a call from Don Hunsinger, an aura about them, and he's one of those people that college football needs Coach Hazell. He's good for the who was head coach of Oberlin College. Hunsinger A, you know what you say will be kept confidential and game, he's good for the Big Ten and I'm incredibly hapwas looking for seniors who may be interested in B, maybe more importantly, you know you're getting py for him. He's converted me to a Purdue fan." coaching. Heacock told him he had the perfect cangood advice. He's incredibly intelligent and smart and A 8 • Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 3 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com