ARCATA — Mixing the wisdom and experience of veteran coaches with the enthusiasm of youth, Humboldt State head football coach Rob Smith has put together a solid staff of assistants who will all play key roles in the program's progress. Indicative of their skills, HSU's assistant coaches directed a crisp preseason practice session Monday, the Lumberjacks' first in full pads since reporting last Wednesday.

"Overall, this is the youngest coaching staff I've ever had," said Smith, who begins his fourth season leading the Jacks and 21st as a head collegiate coach.

In 2011, Smith welcomes back his top two assistants, offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Eric Tripp, and defensive coordinator Shay McClure. Tripp arrived at HSU at the same time as Smith, and McClure is the longest-tenured Lumberjack mentor, beginning his sixth season in Arcata. Both were integral to the Jacks' 8-3 breakout season in 2010.

Smith's other primary assistant, offensive line coach Mike Mari, departed this summer to take over as athletic director and head football coach at Mendocino College. Before coming aboard for his single season, the HSU Hall-of Famer had served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Mendocino College from 2004-10.

"This is a great opportunity for Mike, and we're all very happy for him," Smith said. "At the same time, we're sorry to lose him. He contributed greatly to our program."

Mari isn't the first of Smith's assistants to move on to stellar careers after developing under his tutelage. A seemingly endless list of former aides includes Stanford University head football coach David Shaw, who was a graduate assistant at Western Washington for Smith during the 1995-96 seasons, and Orlando Steinauer, defensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

"I have former assistants working all over," Smith said. "I take great pride in their accomplishments."

Taking over for Mari this fall is Chris Vicory, who has worked with the Jacks as an assistant since completing his HSU playing career three years ago.  Looking for professional development opportunities, Vicory traveled to Sweden last spring and spent three months as offensive coordinator for the league champion Carlsbad Crusaders.

"Chris is an excellent young coach," Smith said. "He has gained a lot of confidence and has shown a great amount of personal and professional growth."

Also back is James Gravelle, a journeyman who has 15 years of coaching experience. He assisted with the Lumberjacks' secondary last season, but has taken over those duties full-time this year while also assuming the role of special teams coordinator.

"James brings a lot of enthusiasm to the field, and shares that with his players," Smith said.

Former Lumberjack player Duane Manyweather, who served as College of the Redwoods offensive line coach the past three years, will guide the HSU defensive line this year.  Jared Terrible, another former assistant of Smith's during his time at Western Washington, has joined the Jacks to help with the defensive line responsibilities.

Ken Ackerman, who played at University of Nevada-Reno, returns for his second season as graduate assistant coach with primary responsibility for the Jacks' tight ends. Former HSU standout Bobby Thomas will again guide HSU's running backs.

Beginning their coaching careers as student assistants this fall are former HSU standouts Elzie Gatson, who will work with the cornerbacks, and Sergio Allen, as assistant receivers coach.

Pads Pounding
The process of molding a cohesive football team moved onto another level Monday when the Lumberjacks practiced in full pads for the first time during preseason training camp.

Enthusiasm was significantly heightened as the 106 players enjoyed their first contact after four days of paperwork, instruction and lighter workouts. While the learning process continues in position meetings, the time on the field was a welcome step ahead.

"Everybody is ready to hit. It's a contact game," Smith said. "But we're not a program that takes players down in practice. We use a high-tempo, but safe approach, controlled by the coaches."

Happy and Healthy
Less than a week into practice, head athletic trainer Shannon Childs has observed the usual pattern of injuries. "During the first week of practice it's mostly hamstring and other strains," Childs said. "Those are usually related to conditioning, and you see more with the new players. When they start practicing with pads, that's when the contact injuries begin."

Cool and Collected
One advantage HSU players have over many collegiate and high school programs nationwide is Humboldt County's mild temperatures. Monday's thermometer hit the mid-sixties Monday, far cooler than the 90-degree plus heat many of HSU's players have been exposed to in the central valley and south this summer.

A story in Monday's edition of USA Today pointed out that six high school football players and one coach have already died while practicing in the heat after only a couple of weeks of workouts. Marine-influenced weather on the North Coast keeps it comfortable and relatively safe for the Jacks' players.

"Today was as nice of a day as I've experienced during my time in Humboldt County," Smith said. "I reminded our players that our first opponent, Colorado Mesa, was probably training in extreme heat today. Still, we'll have to be prepared for the heat and the altitude we'll encounter in Grand Junction."