Coaching Veteran Mogridge Embracing 'Awesome' USF Opportunity
COACHES PROFILE SERIES: While we wait for USF football to hit the field once again, Senior Writer Tom Zebold and Voice of the Bulls Jim Louk give Bulls fans a window to know more about the people and personalities on head coach Jeff Scott's first USF staff.
The series continues with a story on Allen Mogridge, USF's new offensive line coach and assistant head coach who brought nearly 20 years of coaching experience to the Bulls.
LISTEN: Mogridge's interview with Voice of the Bulls Jim Louk HERE.
PAST PROFILES:
Charlie Weis Jr. - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Glenn Spencer – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Xavier Dye – Wide Receivers Coach
Jules Montinar – Cornerbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, APRIL 16, 2020 –
Allen Mogridge has headed to the Bay to inspire the Bulls' big guys up front and serve as head coach
Jeff Scott's right-hand man during a promising new era for the program.
Equipped with nearly 20 seasons of college football staff experience, USF's new offensive line coach/assistant head coach is eager to share his wisdom in the mission of making the future very bright for the Bulls.
"USF is a place that traditionally, it's had success. They know how to do it there," Mogridge said. "What we're doing, and what Coach Scott is doing, is putting that foundation in place, so we can get it where it belongs."
Even during the current COVID-19 pandemic, Mogridge is still effectively motivating and molding his new O-line pupils with the same high motor he used to play numerous positions for the University of North Carolina back in 1990s.
"Our job is to keep our head down, to grind, and to do the day-in, day-out, so that our program, so that our offense can be successful," he said.
Mogridge jumped at the chance to work on Scott's program-building project in late December following three productive seasons as Butch Davis' offensive line coach/assistant head coach at Florida International. The past two years, Mogridge's "protectors" helped FIU rank in the top 10 nationally in sacks allowed.
Mogridge previously coached in Sunshine State for the rival Knights two separate times (2012, 2014-15).
"I'm so excited about this new opportunity in Tampa at USF," he said. "I've seen this place from afar for a long time, having been in the state as long as I have. I think we have an awesome opportunity with the leadership that we've got in place."
Mogridge Has Worn Many Hats as a Player, Coach
Mogridge is currently encouraging his Bulls to live outside their comfort zones, which he's done throughout his busy football life.
Born and raised in Tennessee, Modgridge became a two-way standout for Sevier County High School. He also had the drive to earn four varsity letters in basketball (all-conference twice) and three more in track.
Mogridge made even more of a name for himself as
"Mr. Versatility" at the next level for North Carolina from 1996-99. During the span, he played tight end, fullback, defensive end, linebacker and offensive tackle in addition to special teams duties early in his Tar Heel career.
Mogridge then spent a year as a UNC strength and conditioning coach while he pursued a master's degree. He also took part in the Carolina Panthers' 2000 training camp before playing a season for the Carolina Cobras in the Arena Football League.
"Anybody who loves football is gonna get told, 'You can't play anymore,' long before you want to hear it," he said. "That's the case with all of us old heads that love the game. We wind up coaching and trying to build young people and help them."
With his track record as a player, it's definitely fitting how the 43-year-old has developed talent in a variety of ways after hanging up his cleats.
Since 2001, Mogridge has done a lot of different things while working on staffs at eight different programs, including numerous stints with North Carolina, Buffalo (the NCAA's other Bulls) and UCF.
He's been a graduate assistant (Buffalo), recruiting coordinator (Western Carolina, Buffalo, UNC), special teams coordinator (UNC, UCF) and assistant head coach (FIU, USF).
Multitalented Mogridge also has patrolled the sidelines as a position coach for offensive linemen (Buffalo, Temple, UCF, Georgia Southern, FIU, USF), running backs (Buffalo), tight ends (UNC, UCF), H-backs (UCF) and even defensive ends (Western Carolina).
Whether he wore a helmet, or a headset, Mogridge has made 13 bowl game appearances during his amazing run on the gridiron.
"This game changed my life, the game of football," he said. "It presented opportunities for me that people didn't see, and maybe that I didn't see myself."
Production With Panthers Leads to Call From Scott
Mogridge crushed it on Butch Davis' FIU staff the past three seasons and the humble leader credits his players for helping to make sustained success possible.
"It was a group of kids that set their egos outside the door," he said.
Under Mogridge's father-like guidance, the Panthers' O-line paved the way for the program to constantly break records, post 23 total victories and book three bowl trips.
New statistical program milestones were reached often by the offense in Mogridge's first two seasons. Thanks to the hard work up front, FIU's 2018 team ranked third nationally in sacks allowed (8) and gave up the least amount of tackles-for-loss yardage (142) in school history on the way to a record nine wins.
Last season, FIU ranked seventh nationally in sacks allowed (14). By the end of Mogridge's FIU tenure, five different offensive linemen received C-USA postseason recognition a combined seven times, although they didn't expect rewards.
"It's crazy how well things go when nobody cares who's gonna get the credit," Mogridge said. "You just kind of jump in there. You just do your job as well, and hard and as fast and you can possibly do it, and you don't look up. There's an art to not looking up and making hard decisions."
Despite his "good run" with "close friend" Davis, Mogridge said the decision to become a USF Bull was easy once he got the offer from Scott.
"It's not a sales pitch when you believe, and your core values and your core belief system line up with exactly what he's saying. There was no compromise there," Mogridge said. "He's a strong, strong man with a great vision."
Football, Faith and Family
Many things about Scott, his past achievements, and his plan for future success excited Mogridge about the USF opportunity.
One of the many great job perks for a devoted husband and father of three daughters is the family atmosphere that's essential to the Bulls' new culture. Coaches' wives and kids are always welcome at practices, which in Mogridge's mind, helps strengthen the Bulls' team bond even more.
"I think in the first meeting, we talked about our families in front of these guys," he said. "It matters because you're letting them in."
Fortunately for USF, and especially Mogridge's O-linemen, a strong connection will complement important characteristics that are already evident among the talent.
So far, there's only been one spring practice for the Bulls, but Mogridge already knows "there are pieces to the puzzle" for him to work well with along the line.
"What I was able to see is this is a group that is willing to work," he said. "This is a group that is hungry."
Selflessness, accountability, durability, dependability and predictability are more traits that Mogridge said are musts for USF's offensive line to flourish under his guidance.
For now, the people who make up the position are working to fill the requirements on their own and through virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just like when he took the job, USF's new O-line leader can't wait to see how it all comes together when the Bulls return to the field for the grind.
"I want that team meeting room to just explode with energy when we all get back together," Mogridge said.
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
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