Head hog

George Yarno has brought experience and enthusiasm to a revamped ASU offensive line

By Matt Simpson
State Press

Michael Todd of the State Press
Enthusiastic offensive line coach George Yarno looks to light a fire under his "hogs" this season.

Joking and scolding, congratulating and condemning. ASU offensive line coach George Yarno's voice is unmistakable amid the whistles and cracking pads at Sun Devil practices.

His boisterous, enthusiastic coaching style has earned him a cult following among the ASU alumni who frequent practices and the undivided attention of the "hogs" -- the offensive linemen who will have to pave the way for the Sun Devil running attack in the post-J.R. Redmond era.

"They're a very athletic group," Yarno said of his linemen. "They're intelligent young men. They're working hard. I teach things a little differently, so it takes a little while to get used to the way I do things. But I think they're really taking to it, so I'm looking forward to having a great year."

There's plenty of reason to believe they will thrive this fall under the direction of Yarno, who replaced Dan Cozzetto in February. Yarno was a four-year letterman at Washington State, played 13 years in the NFL and USFL, and has coached at Idaho, Houston and Washington State.

"What I bring to the table is a lot of expertise in my position," Yarno said. "I played the position for 13 years (and) I coached it for 10. I've had expert training from some of the best offensive line coaches in the country. My experience gives me instant credibility, and the techniques I use have been proven to work."

Yarno is loud, letting his booming voice get his point across. He's passionate, hopping up and down and pounding on his players' pads when they succeed. And he's hands-on, jumping into drills to demonstrate the correct punching stance or the proper way to drive a tackling dummy into the ground.

He is also witty. It's a safe bet that, by the end of practice, Yarno will have the entire team smiling from one of his off-color, often unprintable jokes. During a spring pass protection drill, 320-pound freshman Brandon Macias held out against a defender who had beaten him on the previous play, inspiring one of Yarno's more family-friendly remarks.

"That's what happens when you do it my way," Yarno screamed. "He's like a pizza at an all-you-can-eat buffet -- he ain't got a chance with you!"

Their coaches' humor doesn't seem to bother the hogs.

Michael Todd of the State Press
Redshirt freshman Damien Niko participates in one of Yarno's drills where players sub stitute large garbage cans for opposing defenders.

"He's an awesome coach," redshirt freshman Damien Niko said. "He might be a little colorful sometimes, but that's football. He gets you motivated."

Motivation shouldn't be a problem for the offensive line this year, as there will be plenty of competition for playing time. Midway through spring practice, Yarno's starting line consists of senior Victor Leyva and junior Levi Jones at the tackles, junior Scott Peters at center and junior Kyle Kozier at right guard.

With only those positions filled, the left guard spot is wide open. So far, the position has been filled by senior Kenny Williamson, but he will receive competition from Mesa Community College transfer Travis Scott when he joins the team this summer.

However, Yarno believes Scott will not be in a strong position to unseat Williamson for the fifth starting spot right away.

"He's come out and watched the practices, but it'll take a while for a guy to come in and compete in the offensive line," Yarno said of Scott's chances. "It's a learned position ... (so) I think anyone who comes in during the summer time is at a disadvantage, but there's no reason to think he can't catch up in time for (the season opener against) San Diego State."

When Yarno evaluates his linemen this summer, he will look for two things he exhibited during his playing days: toughness and intelligence. "Without those two ingredients," the coach said, "you can't have a great offensive lineman."

Yarno, a Pac-10 guy, said his greatest desire is to spend this Christmas preparing his team for the Rose Bowl.

"I want to go to the Rose Bowl," Yarno said. "I love the Pac-10. I played in the Pac-10. I coached in the Pac-10. I'm glad to be back in the Pac-10. It's a wonderful conference ... I don't see any reason why ASU can't be the team that goes to the Rose Bowl this year. That's what I'm working towards."

Matt Simpson can be reached by e-mail at matthew.simpson@asu.edu.