Indiana University Athletics
Shelby Excited to be Teaching Again
8/13/2015 6:06:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- When Brandon Shelby was asked about working with young cornerbacks again, he couldn't help but crack a smile.
Knowing the question would be coming, Shelby removed his hat to reveal a freshly shaved head. It's a new look he's sporting that reflects his player personnel.
"Well, as you guys have noticed, I cut my hair off," Shelby said, drawing a laugh. "It's the stress right there."
But it's a good stress, Shelby says. The kind of stress that motivates him. Because in a way, the 2015 season is his chance to start fresh again.
Shelby is entering his fifth season at Indiana. He has a new job title—secondary coach, not cornerbacks coach—and a group of mostly untested players to work with.
Absent are the names Tim Bennett, Michael Hunter, and Kenny Mullen that Shelby, and Indiana fans, had become familiar with seeing lined up at cornerback over the last four seasons.
They've been replaced by names like Andre Brown, Jameel Cook and Devonte Williams—young corners eager to make an impact as early as they can.
Those three aren't alone, either. The only cornerback to register a tackle last season and return to camp healthy is Rashard Fant, but even he's only a redshirt sophomore. It's a reflection on the youth movement Indiana has had in the secondary.
For the first time in four years, Shelby is teaching youngsters again.
"The great thing is you get to kind of go back to your mental rolodex of things that you've done to prepare these young guys for when Saturday comes along and they're playing against juniors and seniors," Shelby said. "At the end of the day, you're teaching kids. Sometimes, you've got to slow it down."
Slowing things down begins with mastering the basics. Shelby can't throw his whole playbook at freshmen and sophomores like he could with his senior-heavy group last season.
Shelby breaks plays down to the small details at practice and in the film room. He's constantly asking his players questions and putting them on the spot to speak up.
"If you don't know what you're doing, you're going to play slow," Shelby said. "So in meeting rooms, you've got to make them speak up. Make them sit up. Make them take notes. Put them up in front of the board in front of everyone and make them speak clearly and loudly. Let them tell you what they know."
Even when Shelby asks questions, the answer isn't always cut and dry.
There are times where Shelby will play "mind games" with his guys. He'll ask them a question and even when they respond with the right answer, he'll get on them and act like he's upset with their response.
"I want them to say, 'No, coach. I got it right,'" Shelby said. "I'm playing with them so they can have that same confidence out on the field. Because I can't go out on the field for them. When I'm out on the sideline, they've got to have the confidence in themselves."
That confidence is key for defensive backs, Shelby said, because they're constantly being put on the spot.
A receiver is trying to beat them down, burn them and make them look silly. Shelby likes his corners to have a "swagger" about them. He looks for a bit of cockiness out of his corners because if they believe in their own abilities, they're more likely to go out and perform.
But at the same time, Shelby can't have his guys getting big heads.
He and co-secondary coach Noah Joseph will design situations where the defensive back is going to be in a bit of trouble.
There isn't a cornerback in the league that doesn't know what it's like to be beat, Shelby said. He doesn't want his guys panicking whenever they're in pressure situations.
"They've got to feel that stress because sometimes, it brings the best out of them," Shelby said. "They've got to feel that receiver behind you and be able to keep running. Sometimes, you're not going to be in the greatest position to make a play. What are you going to do when you're not there?"
Naturally, there have been growing pains. Shelby didn't expect things to go perfectly.
Some days are better than others and some days are worse. His corners will make big plays on one series but mess up the next.
But that's okay, Shelby said, because it means they're learning. Mistakes are bound to happen in the classroom—a place Shelby feels right at home again.
"These young guys, they're fun," Shelby said. "And I'll tell you what, I'm really proud of them."
