Ashland University 2005 Spring Football Preview: Tight Ends
April 14, 2005

Tight Ends (Offensive Line Coach - Doug Geiser)

Key Losses - None

Top Returnee – Brian Mong (19 catches, 244 yards, 12.8 ypc., 1 TD)

Tight ends are always moving targets. But that’s especially true of the group the Ashland University Eagles are featuring in this spring practice session. Several of the candidates for the job in the spring are making the move to tight end from defense and all three are trying to make a quick move up the depth chart.

The starter at the spot, senior Brian Mong (Columbus, OH/Watterson) is sitting out the spring session. Mong was third in receptions on last year’s team and the Eagles will feature him prominently in their 2005 plans. But Mong can’t be expected to carry the entire load by himself and this spring could help sort out who will also man the spot this coming season.

Tight end is the most inexperienced position on the AU offense. This spring, the field includes redshirt freshmen Casey Brown (Columbus, OH/Bishop Ready) and Mark Shackelford (Norton, OH) and freshman Chris Coan (Willoughby, OH/Lake Catholic). Shackelford and Coan are moving to tight end from defense – Shackleford was a linebacker last season and Coan was stationed on the defensive line.

“They’re all young guys,” remarked offensive line coach Doug Geiser. “None of the three were on the two-deep last year. The biggest thing for them is learning assignments. We’re talking technique with them.”

Brown is the 6-5, 230-pound brother of AU basketball player Justin Brown.

“Casey Brown has the chance to be a very good football player,” Geiser said. “He’s a rugged, physical player. He could be a factor as early as this year. He needs to step up and give us significant minutes this fall. He needs to grow up in a hurry.

“Once he gets the mental part down that will help his comfort zone,” continued Geiser. “This summer will be a real key time for him.”

The 6-3 Shackelford is up to 230 pounds from 190. As Geiser says, “He’s grown into a tight end.”

Shackelford is considered an exceptional all-around athlete. That’s helped him in this move.

“He’s playing fast and with great effort, but he has a learning curve,” said Geiser.

The 6-2, 215-pound Coan played tight end in high school, so this is a return to a familiar haunt for him.

“He’s comfortable, but he needs to get bigger and stronger,” Geiser said.