Els Brings Defensive, Special Teams Expertise To Buffs

BOULDER — New Colorado assistant coach Ross Els was on the field for the second day for the Buffs on Saturday, CU's first day in full pads this spring.

Els will have a big learning curve this spring, as he hasn't coached in a 3-4 defensive scheme before. But he is already spending extra time with defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot and believes he will get up to speed in a hurry.

"I like the intensity, I like the effort they put forth," Els said after Saturday's practice. "Once I start learning the scheme a little better, then I can help them as far as the Xs and Os. But they're playing hard, they're attentive, they're good kids. I think we're physical; we'll find out when we can tackle."

That will come Monday, when the Buffs hold their first "50-50" tackling practice of the spring in pads. NCAA rules allow four practices in pads with no tackling, five in pads with tackling allowed 50 percent of the time and three in pads with tackling allowed throughout (scrimmages).

The first scrimmage of the spring is tentatively set for next Saturday.

Els will coach inside linebackers and is expected to play a major role in special teams with the Buffs.

"He's had a lot of special teams experience," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "As we go through the spring we'll get it all sorted out. That's one of the reasons I wanted to hire him, is he has a tremendous amount of experience in the special teams area, so he will be involved in that."

Els, who calls himself an "attention to detail type of guy," served last year as the defensive coordinator at Purdue. He also coached four years at Nebraska under Bo Pelini and six years at Ohio University under former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich.

"We're going to know exactly what we're supposed to be doing in every situation," Els said. "I'm still learning the defense. It's a completely new defense for me, but I really like what D.J. is doing with the thing and I'm excited to get going."

Els said he expects to have his hands "in all of it" when it comes to special teams.

"Exactly what the ultimate responsibilities will be will be decided later on, but I've done all four for a long time," he said. "I've usually been involved with the special teams so that will be a big part of why I'm here."

After the Pelini staff was fired at Nebraska, Els took a year off to help coach his son's high school in Lincoln instead of immediately seeking another job in the college ranks, a move he said was revitalizing in a way.

"It does refresh you," he said. "It really allows you to go back and really get yourself organized. I was able to visit about 15 different programs, from the NFL down to the NAIA. I was able to completely put together my own playbook, my own terminology, etc. I was able to coach my son in high school, which was a blast. I took all of that and so when Purdue defensive coordinator position came open, I was certainly ready to go. I don't know that I recommend it for everybody, but just to be able to hit the refresh button was nice."

In his last three years with the Huskers, he was a linebackers coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. Defensively, he'll focus on the inside linebackers with the Buffs while Eliot handles the outside linebackers.

"think we'll work well together and it will take some pressure off of him so he can keep his eyes on the whole defense," Els said.

FIELDS ON A ROLL: Senior wide receiver Shay Fields has had an excellent spring thus far. Saturday, he hauled in another deep ball touchdown from quarterback Steven Montez in 11-on-11 drills, something that's been a regular occurrence in the first few practices.

"Shay's 10 times ahead of where he was last spring," wide receivers and offensive co-coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said. "He realized that he has to work to be elite. He has elite talent, but if you want to perform at an elite level, you have to work. He's working in the weight room, he's working on the field, he's running by people. He's doing really well."

PRACTICE TIDBITS: Also connecting on a nice deep ball Saturday were quarterback Sam Noyer and receiver Kabion Ento. Both are also having good early springs. … WR Bryce Bobo continues to make tough catches in coverage. … Guard Tim Lynott was dominant in 1-on-1 drills against the defensive line. … Defensive linemen Leo Jackson III, Jase Franke and Timothy Coleman have taken steps forward from last year, and George Frazier continues to impress at the position. … Sophomore Brett Tonz, who moved to offensive line from the defensive line, is making some strides.