Drew Brees spent 15 seasons cultivating a Hall of Fame profession because the New Orleans Saints quarterback.
Along the best way, Brees raised his household in Louisiana, changing into part of the group, which included creating an affinity for LSU soccer.
But when Jeff Brohm introduced he was leaving Purdue after six seasons to return dwelling to teach at Louisville on Dec. 7, Brees knew he needed to assist out his alma mater.
“That is when my conversations with Purdue began about just offering my assistance, to be able to come in and help as a coach in any capacity,” Brees mentioned. “I love my university. I love my alma mater and wanted to provide whatever assistance they might need during this time, not only to get ready for the bowl game but also to help stabilize the program and help with any transition to the next head coach.”
Brees joined this system as a countable assistant coach on Dec. 15, serving to interim coach Brian Brohm because the Boilermakers (8-5, 6-3 Big Ten) put together to tackle No. 17 LSU (9-4, 6-3 SEC) within the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday (1 p.m., ABC).
The faculty acquired a waiver from the NCAA, which permits Brees to work with gamers on the follow discipline and play a job in this system’s recruiting efforts.
The previous two weeks have been a whirlwind for Brees, who has been making an attempt to stand up to hurry on the offense’s core ideas and familiarizing himself with the quarterbacks.
“I love the game of football, so to have the opportunity to take a lot of the things that I’ve learned throughout my career and maybe impart some of that knowledge, experience and wisdom on these young men was a great opportunity,” he mentioned.
Brees retired from the NFL in 2020, leaving knowledgeable profession that noticed him cross for 80,358 yards with 571 TDs whereas successful a Super Bowl title within the 2009 season. Before leaving in May, he had joined NBC Sports in 2021 to function a colour analyst on the community’s Notre Dame soccer protection.
Throughout his time in Louisiana, he’s frolicked across the LSU program, attending to know some coaches on employees and athletics director Scott Woodward. The 43-year-old even had shoulder surgical procedure in Baton Rouge in May, adopted by a rehab stint on the Tigers soccer facility.
“I have a great relationship with these guys, but I will equate it to when you go out in the yard on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day to play a backyard football game with your family,” mentioned Brees. “You love them, however you are attempting to beat him.
“I love LSU — except for Monday.”
Purdue quarterback Austin Burton didn’t want a lot analysis on his new coach. Brees spent 4 seasons with the Boilermakers from 1997-2000 earlier than leaving this system because the all-time chief in passing yards (11,702), passing completions (1,026) and passing touchdowns (90).
“As a room, excited would be an understatement,” mentioned Burton. “To have a Hall of Famer come in your room and to be able to learn so much.”
Burton, a sixth-year senior, will get his second begin after starter Aidan O’Connell introduced he was opting out of the bowl sport.
“It has been a long career,” mentioned Burton. “To go out on top here and win the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl would be a good way to go out.”
For Brees, this teaching alternative is a one-time factor. He has no plans to pursue a training profession regardless of having been contacted by different groups to gauge his curiosity.
“I’m not entertaining those. This is interim,” he mentioned. “I’m just doing this because I love my university and the opportunity to coach young men like Austin and our team, and to get this program through the bowl game. To prepare us to go out there and play well against LSU on Monday. After that, I turn back into a pumpkin.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
