"He would ask us questions to just kind of find out how we grew up and things like that to kind of get to know us on a personal level," center Mack Crowder said. "Because he did that, we're able to build that trust with him and take his coaching a little bit more."
The Vols need DeBord to assist in the development of quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who led the Vols to a 4-1 record in his five starts last season.
Even while spending the last two years away from football,
Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, DeBord said he stayed close to the game by attending Michigan team meetings and practices.
He jumped at the opportunity to reunite with Jones and return to a more active role.
He's making the most of that chance now.
Jones says DeBord already has made an impact, bringing "a mentality in an offense, the fine details of what it takes it play winning football, definitely a mentality and a presence."
"When that's your passion, it's hard sometimes going to practice,
Cheap Jerseys For Sale, watching and not being able to get involved in actually teaching and coaching," DeBord said. "Now I've got that opportunity and I'm going to take advantage of it."
Even before spring practice, DeBord started building similar relationships with other players.
Jones has such faith in Dobbs that the quarterback sat in on DeBord's interview when the Vols sought a replacement for former offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who left to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach. The relationship between Dobbs and DeBord has developed from there.
"There's not a whole lot of difference schematically," tight end Ethan Wolf said. "He's doing pretty much the same stuff. The terminology's pretty much the same. He's just kind of trying to bring his own style."
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP)
