Andre Hart provides player updates from CU's linebacker room
It’s always a fun day in Boulder when the media gets to hear from Colorado's linebacker coach Andre Hart, and he didn't disappoint in the slightest.
Prior to Hart making his way to the podium, staffers were seen wheeling out two carts of what is lovingly referred to as the “Prime Smoothie.” Before entertaining questions, Hart went full on pitch man for the goodness of the refreshing drinks, complete with a product pose.
Coach Hart began his comments on the progression from the early days of Fall Camp until now. It suggested that in those early days, guys were “all over the place”, but now that we're a little over a week into camp, it’s all starting to come together. Hart was one of the position coaches that started the Spring with very few of “his guys.” Players moved multiple times before Coach Hart’s LB room looks anywhere near what it looks like now.
In the start of the Spring practices, there was one linebacker in Hart’s room. That one player later became three when two incoming freshmen were added. Those three were able to assist the newer additions with terminology and alignments. The room didn’t really take shape until the addition of Demouy Kennedy. Hart added that the addition has done a lot to help speed up the understanding of Coach Kelly’s defense as Kelly and Kennedy both came over from Alabama. He was asked, "What does it mean to the room when you have a linebacker with Kennedy’s speed?"
Hart’s answer was short and to the point, it gets me paid, makes me look good. He went into some detail diagnosing a play where Kennedy made an adjustment and executed a great play on the ball that was intended for the speedy Dylan Edwards. Further explaining that what Kennedy brings to the position allows Hart to scheme certain aspects that might not be possible without a player of his skill set. He also spoke about Jeremiah Brown's move back to Inside linebacker. The Jackson State transfer was part of the rush to follow Coach Prime and has made a pleasant transition.
Hart smoothly segued into the attitudes in the room. Amidst moving the players around the depth chart, he has seen no adverse reactions or negative attitudes that could poorly affect the room. He also mentioned that moving guys up and down the depth chart at this stage is in fact done on purpose. It's testing the players’ resolve despite what might be interpreted as bad news.
On a personal note, Hart’s ability to be observant of the loud truck in the background and adjust his words accordingly (twice) was very much appreciated by the group of media personnel. Others don't seem to have those skills to let the noise pass before talking.
Later, when speaking on Marvin Ham, Hart waited long enough for the truck’s air brake to decompress before continuing to answer the question. Coach, you’re the real MVP!
Brenden Gant’s name was mentioned and while he wasn’t able to participate in active practice, his mental approach did not go unnoticed by Hart, as he's still working through some medical issues. Yet, during team walkthroughs, Hart described how Gant will stand behind the group and do the drills as if he was in it. He came from Florida State where they run a similar system, it’s reassuring Gant is steadfast in getting those mental reps before he’s clear for contact.
The day’s theme of highlighting holdover players from last year continued with Hart as he discussed Ham's journey. He admitted that he tried to get rid of Ham early on and graded him hard day after day. However, Ham made the best of his opportunity and now he's likely to start at middle linebacker vs. TCU.
Hart even went deeper on a follow-up further explaining that Ham displays great instincts along with the understanding of different fronts and adjustments.
Maybe the funniest and most “Coach Hart” moment came later in the press conference when he was asked about Coach Prime’s coaching style. “He says he’s hands off, but he’s just like he was when he played football. He’s man-on-man. He’s locked in on you. He’ll let you tell him what it is, but he’s like an elephant. He doesn't forget anything. You say one thing, then change it, he’s going to say, “No, no, no, that’s not what you said you wanted. This is what you got, now go coach him. And if you can’t coach him, I’ll find someone who will.” He holds our feet to the fire as well.
The player reviews continued with Lavonte Bentley. Hart said the Clemson transfer provides toughness and takes hard coaching well. Bentley seems to be "old school" and makes the appropriate adjustments needed. Hart might not have released his depth chart, but what we can gather from his comments is that Bentely, Ham, and Kennedy will likely be put together as starters.
Out of the group, Kennedy provides significant ability, leadership, and schematic understanding that should help bring along the rest of the room. Even though the QBs, RBs, WRs, and DBs seem to dominate the national narrative, the LB room is, like everything else, coming together on schedule.
