Down But Not Out – Coy Cronk Thrives in New Role

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coy Cronk huddles with his brothers, these big, strong Hoosier linemen who have paved the way for Indiana's make-a-bowl success.

It burns him that he can't join them.

Except he can.

Offensive line coach Darren Hiller shouts instructions in this sideline gathering, coaching hard even as the clock ticks down in a blow-out win over Northwestern.

Cronk sits behind him, poised for suggestions, insight, encouragement.

He is a coach, but not a coach; a player who can't play; an unwanted spectator to Indiana achievement, but very much a key contributor.

Season-ending injury cost him playing time, but not impact. Leadership can transcend physical performance if you're tough enough, committed enough, driven enough.

Cronk is.

"He's accepted his role," head coach Tom Allen says. "He doesn't mope around and feel sorry for myself.

"He's rallied them. He helps these guys get ready. He plays a huge role."

Cronk's early season injury could have ruined offensive production and team prospects. He was a leader with NFL potential, a difference maker at left tackle, the most crucial of offensive line positions.

"If I had to say there was one guy we couldn't lose this year," Allen says, "it was Coy."

As it turns out, he was wrong, and that has been a very good Cream & Crimson thing. IU leads the Big Ten in passing, has one of the conference's best offenses and, with a 7-2 record has already clinched its first winning record since 2007.

"I challenged him that you're a captain, you're a leader and this is your team," Allen says. "He's embraced that new role. Even though he's not out there making plays, he's helping his brothers make plays. That's awesome to see. Not surprising. He's that kind of guy."

Cronk gives back as others gave to him. You don't start 40 college games, as he has done, without a lot of help from a lot of people.

"I've been blessed with older guys who helped bring me along. I try to be that role for other players, definitely the offensive line, but mostly for the entire team.

"If someone drops a pass or fumbles, I try to get in his ear, do what I can."

Let other injured players wallow in self-pity or drift away from the team. Cronk stays fully engaged, and that makes all the difference.

"This is not where I want to be, but I feel I have a lot to offer my teammates," he says. "I'm a part of this team. (Teammates) listen to me. I felt it was my duty to travel even though I couldn't stand, had to scoot around, couldn't put any weight (on his surgically repaired ankle).

"It's frustrating at times, humiliating. It's been tough, but these are my guys. I played my heart out, and now I give them everything I've got. Instead of playing four quarters, the biggest part is trying to win the coin toss on away games. That's what I look forward to every week."

It helps that the line continues to improve despite injury and illness to key players. True freshman Matthew Bedford and first-year starter Caleb Jones have made major impacts. Simon Stepaniak, Hunter Littlejohn and Harry Crider have done what you'd expect veterans to do.

"I thought we were going to have a good offensive line with or without me," Cronk says.

"Matt is accelerating his play. I've been extremely happy with Caleb's attitude and the way he approaches the game. Harry is playing really good football. He's a strong, tough kid. He and Caleb had something to prove, and they've proven it 10-fold. Simon and Hunter play extremely hard. They're tough, physical guys."

Cronk also credited offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer.

"I tell him every day I think he's a rock star. He calls the right plays. He gets us in the best positions.

"We switched up our protections when I got out because it's not fair to ask a true freshman (Bedford) to be on an island for four quarters against elite pass-rush defenses."

Cronk could return to Indiana next season, or declare for the NFL Draft. He says he's not ready to make that call.

"I think it depends on how it heals," he says. "I'll make that decision after our bowl game. As for now, I'm part of a 7-2 team. It's pretty good to be around here right now."

And it just might get better.

Indiana University Athletics

Down But Not Out – Coy Cronk Thrives in New Role

Players Mentioned

Matthew Bedford

Harry Crider

Coy Cronk

Caleb Jones

Hunter Littlejohn

Simon Stepaniak

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