SE: Hazelton Brings High Energy, Seasoned Perspective to K-State Defense
Mar 25, 2019 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
Like most coaches, Scottie Hazelton's philosophies have been shaped by his past. His almost did not include football, however.
A linebacker at Fort Lewis College from 1992-94, Hazelton suffered a knee injury for "about the third time" as a junior. Doctors told him he could not play anymore. He tried to join the military, which also turned him away.
"I didn't know what I was going to do," Hazelton, K-State's first-year defensive coordinator, said. "I figured I'd go get a job or whatever."
Hazelton did get a job. But, to his surprise, it was back in football after his old position coach, Gus Bradley, asked him to help out the coaching staff in the spring following his last injury.
"When I graduated, he gave me my first full-time job, and the rest is history," Hazelton said. "So, I really owe it to that guy."
Bradley hired Hazelton again at North Dakota State in 2000. When Bradley became head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he hired Hazelton to coach the linebackers — including Pro Bowlers in Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny.
"He's been a tremendous influence," Hazelton said of Bradley, currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Hazelton also named Todd Wash as a key figure in his coaching development. The two worked together at Fort Lewis, North Dakota State and with the Jaguars. Craig Bohl was next for Hazelton. He hired him to his second stint at North Dakota State, when Hazelton met K-State head coach Chris Klieman. Bohl also brought Hazelton back to the college game at Wyoming in 2017.
Collectively, these coaches' influences helped form Hazelton's identity as a coach: Passionate. He's someone who wants his players to have as much fun as him, a high bar to clear.
"He's definitely a high-energy guy," defensive tackle Jordan Mittie said. "I think there's been a couple of clips on Twitter of him going pretty crazy during plays. He just brings a lot of energy."
"He's a great energy coach," linebacker Justin Hughes added. "Every guy's hooked to that."
Enter K-State's spring practices, where the assumed monotony of installing a new defense does not exist. Instead, there's a game going on— a game inside the game, really.
And Hazelton is the commissioner.
He implemented this game on his side of the ball after the team's first of 15 spring practices. During it, the Wildcat defensive staff tallied "loafs." One was too many, and the Wildcats had a lot more than one.
The next practice, the game was introduced.
Somewhat like a fantasy team, K-State's defensive players were split into three groups, with starters mixed together with backups, seniors with freshmen. The Wildcat staff started tracking each player's positive plays: Stripped balls, interceptions, passes broken up and fumble recoveries, for instance. Points are rewarded for each one.
"Any time you add competition in there," Mittie said, "I think it helps guys get to the ball."
"Guys are really taking to that and competing," Hughes added. "It's a great feeling when you have the back-side d-end running to the ball on a post route and you're looking at him, like, 'Dang, he's right here beside me. He's my brother.' I appreciate Coach Haze for that because it's going to make us play better."
The game sums up what Hazelton wants his defense's identity to be: Play hard, play fast and have fun. These three principles, he said, have been the foundation to the best defenses the 23-year coaching veteran has been part of.
"That's what you want to see when you put on the tape," Hazelton said.
At Wyoming, where he was the defensive coordinator the previous two seasons, these traits were on full display. The statistics proved their worth.
In 2017, Wyoming's defense was No. 1 in the nation in takeaways, forcing 38 opponent turnovers that included a nation-leading 18 fumbles recovered and a No. 2 ranking with 20 interceptions. The Cowboys also ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense (17.5 points per game), 13th in pass defense (174.9 yards per game) and 23rd in total defense (335.2 yards per game).
"He's just telling us to be dogs to the ball," Hughes said. "We're going to have that mentality this year: Everybody sprinting to the ball."
For Hazelton, it's about giving his players the key to the car and making the driving instructions as simple as possible. An early example: He's kept a lot of the Wildcat linebacker terminology the same in an attempt to lighten their learning load.
"Hopefully you teach them the basics of, 'I need to do this, this is what I have to do, this is how I do it. Now, go play, guys. It's your game. Go play and have fun,'" he said. "I think that allows them to play a little freer and have fun."
Since his playing career ended, Hazelton has had more fun than he could have imagined. He only wants the same for his players, for them make the most of the part that was taken away from him.
"I do love coaching. I love being out there. I think it's a big chess match and getting guys to do things. It's a work of art for me, really, so I get excited when I do it," Hazelton said. "It's enjoyable for me, so you hope they enjoy it too."
Like most coaches, Scottie Hazelton's philosophies have been shaped by his past. His almost did not include football, however.
A linebacker at Fort Lewis College from 1992-94, Hazelton suffered a knee injury for "about the third time" as a junior. Doctors told him he could not play anymore. He tried to join the military, which also turned him away.
"I didn't know what I was going to do," Hazelton, K-State's first-year defensive coordinator, said. "I figured I'd go get a job or whatever."
Hazelton did get a job. But, to his surprise, it was back in football after his old position coach, Gus Bradley, asked him to help out the coaching staff in the spring following his last injury.
"When I graduated, he gave me my first full-time job, and the rest is history," Hazelton said. "So, I really owe it to that guy."
Bradley hired Hazelton again at North Dakota State in 2000. When Bradley became head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he hired Hazelton to coach the linebackers — including Pro Bowlers in Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny.
"He's been a tremendous influence," Hazelton said of Bradley, currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Hazelton also named Todd Wash as a key figure in his coaching development. The two worked together at Fort Lewis, North Dakota State and with the Jaguars. Craig Bohl was next for Hazelton. He hired him to his second stint at North Dakota State, when Hazelton met K-State head coach Chris Klieman. Bohl also brought Hazelton back to the college game at Wyoming in 2017.
Collectively, these coaches' influences helped form Hazelton's identity as a coach: Passionate. He's someone who wants his players to have as much fun as him, a high bar to clear.
???? brought to you by @ScottieHazelton
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) March 20, 2019
Defensive Coordinator/LB coach getting the mic in practice ???? pic.twitter.com/DKEaMfgmkk
"He's definitely a high-energy guy," defensive tackle Jordan Mittie said. "I think there's been a couple of clips on Twitter of him going pretty crazy during plays. He just brings a lot of energy."
"He's a great energy coach," linebacker Justin Hughes added. "Every guy's hooked to that."
Enter K-State's spring practices, where the assumed monotony of installing a new defense does not exist. Instead, there's a game going on— a game inside the game, really.
And Hazelton is the commissioner.
He implemented this game on his side of the ball after the team's first of 15 spring practices. During it, the Wildcat defensive staff tallied "loafs." One was too many, and the Wildcats had a lot more than one.
The next practice, the game was introduced.
Somewhat like a fantasy team, K-State's defensive players were split into three groups, with starters mixed together with backups, seniors with freshmen. The Wildcat staff started tracking each player's positive plays: Stripped balls, interceptions, passes broken up and fumble recoveries, for instance. Points are rewarded for each one.
"Any time you add competition in there," Mittie said, "I think it helps guys get to the ball."
"Guys are really taking to that and competing," Hughes added. "It's a great feeling when you have the back-side d-end running to the ball on a post route and you're looking at him, like, 'Dang, he's right here beside me. He's my brother.' I appreciate Coach Haze for that because it's going to make us play better."
The game sums up what Hazelton wants his defense's identity to be: Play hard, play fast and have fun. These three principles, he said, have been the foundation to the best defenses the 23-year coaching veteran has been part of.
"That's what you want to see when you put on the tape," Hazelton said.
At Wyoming, where he was the defensive coordinator the previous two seasons, these traits were on full display. The statistics proved their worth.
In 2017, Wyoming's defense was No. 1 in the nation in takeaways, forcing 38 opponent turnovers that included a nation-leading 18 fumbles recovered and a No. 2 ranking with 20 interceptions. The Cowboys also ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense (17.5 points per game), 13th in pass defense (174.9 yards per game) and 23rd in total defense (335.2 yards per game).
"He's just telling us to be dogs to the ball," Hughes said. "We're going to have that mentality this year: Everybody sprinting to the ball."
For Hazelton, it's about giving his players the key to the car and making the driving instructions as simple as possible. An early example: He's kept a lot of the Wildcat linebacker terminology the same in an attempt to lighten their learning load.
"Hopefully you teach them the basics of, 'I need to do this, this is what I have to do, this is how I do it. Now, go play, guys. It's your game. Go play and have fun,'" he said. "I think that allows them to play a little freer and have fun."
Since his playing career ended, Hazelton has had more fun than he could have imagined. He only wants the same for his players, for them make the most of the part that was taken away from him.
"I do love coaching. I love being out there. I think it's a big chess match and getting guys to do things. It's a work of art for me, really, so I get excited when I do it," Hazelton said. "It's enjoyable for me, so you hope they enjoy it too."
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DT
/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
