University of Georgia Athletics
Interview With New Linebackers Coach Warren Belin
February 19, 2010 | Football
How did coming to UGA come about?
Belin: "I want to thank the staff at Vanderbilt for the eight years that I was there with Coach Johnson and his staff. I'm excited about my opportunity here. Coach Richt has been following my career for quite some time. After he made some changes last December a couple of people recommended me to Coach Richt and he followed through with that. After the recruiting season was over he asked Coach Johnson if he could interview me, and I had a really good interview with Coach Richt and Coach (Todd) Grantham. Now I'm the lucky one to be able to be a part of this great program."
What position will you be coaching?
Belin: "I will be coaching inside linebackers, but Coach Grantham and I will be working together with the entire linebacking corps."
How much time have you spent recruiting in Georgia?
Belin: "In recruiting at Vanderbilt I assisted here in the state of Georgia. I had some other areas I also recruited, but I hope to continue to develop the relationship with the high school coaches in this great state. Coach Richt and our staff know there are some really good players and good students in the state. If we can keep them all here, then we feel like we have a great chance to win championships."
What do you think about discipline and how will you bring that approach to Georgia?
Belin: "I will follow the lead of Coach Richt and Coach Grantham, but there are also issues and things that I will address with my players. I will continue to put those demands on those guys as well. My philosophy that I have communicated to my players from day one is honesty being number one, fairness number two and 100% effort and attitude on and off the field. If you do those things right every day then you have a chance to be successful here at the University of Georgia."
Have you talked with Coach Richt about what your involvement on special teams will be?
Belin: "Coach Richt has spoken with our staff about how we are going to divide up the duties on special teams. We are currently working on those details and getting everything worked out on what we are going to do to improve in the special teams area."
What is the difference between the inside and outside linebackers?
Belin: "Coach Grantham and I are going to teach the basic fundamentals that we need to succeed in this 3-4 defense. Whether you are an inside or outside linebacker this game is about playing with speed and being great tacklers. The outside linebackers will obviously be bringing pressure off the edge more than the inside guys, but the inside linebackers will also bring pressure at times. There are a lot of things that we will work together on, but there will be schemes and key reads that will be separate so our guys can be fundamentally sound when they are going against different personnel."
What do you know about the personnel that you will be working with?
Belin: "I'm definitely getting to know the players on a personal level and I'm still in the process of evaluating players that I will be coaching. My goal and my job are to get the best out of them. I've been blessed to coach some really good linebackers in the SEC and I'm looking forward to bringing that tradition along with Coach Grantham and to continue that tradition here."
