Last week, we took a look at LSU wide receivers coach Adam Henry in a piece that will surely win awards on top of awards. This week, we examine Texas A&M linebackers coach Mark Hagen.
The selection process of Texas A&M and the position is random and explained in the Adam Henry piece, but should you not read that, it is a process that can mostly be described as I’m in charge and do what I please.
Name: Mark Hagen
Position: Linebackers coach
Salary: 10 minutes at the Google machine controls and I couldn’t find a specific number. Last year, Hagen made $180,000 at Indiana (RELATED: Indiana is desperately poor), and Mike Wallerstedt, last year’s Texas A&M linebackers coach, made $240,000. So we’ll assume Hagen’s salary is somewhere between $180,001 and $240,000.
Alma Mater: Indiana ’91
Experience: Northern Illinois 1996-1999 (defensive tackles)
Purdue 2000-2010 (defensive tackles ’00-’05, ’08, special teams ’03-’08, linebackers ’06-’07, ’09-’10, assistant head coach ’05-’08)
Indiana 2011-12 (defensive tackles, special teams ’11-’12, recruiting coordinator ’12)
Background: As you read this, remember that you are reading about the defensive MVP of the 1991 Copper Bowl, which is now the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. So, RESPECT PLEASE. And for those who care, Indiana THRASHED Baylor 24-0 in that Copper Bowl.
Hagen was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, so he’s got lots of FANCY BOY LEARNIN’ in that head of his. I just hope he’s able to speak on a level that players in the ungentlemanly and unrefined SEC can understand.
As for once he started coaching, based on how he has jumped from defensive tackles coach to other things, then back to defensive tackles coach, Hagen appears to be some sort of defensive tackles coaching wizard. Or is not good at coaching other things.
What he brings to the table: According to head coach Kevin Sumlin, “I’ve known Mark for quite some time and I have been impressed with his work. He has a wide range of experience, not only on defense but as a special teams coordinator and a recruiting coordinator as well.”
He’s also spent the past 13 football seasons at Purdue or Indiana, living in West Lafayette or Bloomington, so he has to be one of those exceptionally positive people. There’s no other way he could even get out of bed in the morning if he didn’t have that type of personality.
He’s seen the darkest pit of hell, marched on, and lived to tell the tale. So if times ever get tough in College Station, Hagen could be rock on which all others stand.
What he needs to get out of his players in 2013: Only one starter returns from 2012, which is always fun, so Hagen must find a few warm bodies out of the mix of signees and whatever else he can find on the roster. If the A&M defensive line drops off from 2012, and it most likely will as it returns only two starters, it becomes even more important that the linebackers bring something to the table.
The good news is that even if the defense stinks, and signs point to it might, the offense should offer many, many points to make up for a bad defense. This will give Hagen a chance to throw everyone out there and see if he can find a few guys who achieve average levels of performance.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
